Symptoms of Agoraphobia
Individuals with agoraphobia:
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Often experience depressed mood and exhibit anxious or fearful behaviors.
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Experience anxiety about places or situations where escape may be difficult and may suffer panic-attacks.
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Common problem situations include being outside of the home, traveling in a car, being on a bridge, or being in crowds.
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Before diagnosis clinicians need to rule out other disorders such as specific phobias, social phobias, and post traumatic stress disorder.
Treatments for Agoraphobia
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Psychiatric drugs such as SSRIs and benzodiazepines can be effect when treating agoraphobics who also experience panic attacks. Treatments tend to be more effective when combined with behavioral therapy.
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Systematic desensitization can also be effective. This approach involves gradual exposure to real-life feared situations.
