Home Health Center
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia - Symptoms
Symptoms of Agoraphobia
People suffering from agoraphobia only tend to experience its symptoms when they are about to face a situation that causes them to panic. The signs and symptoms of agoraphobia can be divided into three types:
- Physical symptoms
- Psychological symptoms
- Behavioral symptoms
Of these, the physical symptoms are the least common, probably because most people who have agoraphobia tend to avoid anxiety-triggering situations. The physical symptoms of this disorder include:
- Feeling of lightheadedness
- Trembling
- Breaking out into a sweat
- Diarrhea
- Flushing or feeling very hot
- Accelerated heartbeat
- Ringing sensation in the ears
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Swallowing difficulty
- Hyperventilation
- Pain in the chest
Given below are some of the common psychological symptoms of agoraphobia:
- Low self-esteem
- General feeling of anxiety and dread
- Lack of confidence
- Dreading the thought of being alone
- Experiencing loss of control
- Depression
There are certain psychological symptoms that are related to physical symptoms of the condition. These include:
- The fear that others will notice the panic attack, leading to further embarrassment or humiliation
- The fear of losing one’s mind
- The fear of having a heart attack or breathing difficulties
This disorder is likely to bring about drastic changes in your behavior too, especially when you have to leave your home. Given below are some of the behavioral symptoms of agoraphobia:
- Avoiding any environment or situation that may trigger off a panic attack.
- Requiring reassurance before entering a crowded place
- Using some sort of relaxant, like a drink or a drug, before going out of the house
- Escaping from the stressful place or situation midway, to go back home
It is important that you seek medical assistance, as soon as you notice any of the symptoms of agoraphobia mentioned above.