Category: Anxiety

Agoraphobia- Treatments

Treatments for agoraphobia usually include medication and psychotherapy. In the majority number of cases of this disorder, people are either cured or learn to keep themselves under control.

Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicine is usually prescribed to people with agoraphobia or panic symptoms.

-Antidepressant drugs include: fluoxetine (prozac), paroxetine (paxil), and sertraline (zoloft).

-psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy are two types of therapies in which agoraphobia is treated with.

Based on these types of therapies and medications, they are proven to be helpful. My sister suffering from agoraphobia has been able to do many things that she was not able to do before. She is obviously still working on things and going to therapy, but so far it has helped her a great deal. Things that she was not able to do before like go into a food or clothing store she is able to do by herself now. Going to school to take her placement test for college was a huge problem because she was not able to physically bring herself inside somewhere that was unknown to her is slowly starting to be fixed.

So in this case it is proven that therapy is a great way to fix disorders especially like this one.



This video is someone who is actually suffering from Agoraphobia. I think it really helps to see the big picture of it. I also need to agree with him that people do not know what a serious panic attack is until you suffer from a disorder like this. Taking a test and saying “oh I was so nervous I had a panic attack” is not the true meaning of a panic attack it simply just means you were nervous.

Someone with agoraphobia is very hard to take seriously. Not that they are faking it in anyway but it is just very hard to understand especially when they do not know why it is happening or where it is coming from. Just to add in here also, agoraphobia can develop at any time. My sister was always a shy person, not very outgoing but had many friends and was able to talk with many people. Her disorder developed her senior year of high school out of nowhere. She does not know where the disorder came from or exactly when it started. It happened slowly and the first time it came upon her it was in school in a classroom.

Another little side note to add in here is that a traumatic event is able to cause agoraphobia in a person, where they will try to avoid anything that has to do with that event at all costs.

Agoraphobia is diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Usually a person is referred to a psychiarist by a general practitioner (their primary care physician) who notices some signs of the disorder. The psychiatrist asks the patient about his or her feelings, general background and symptoms. According to the DSM-IV Diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia, a patient suffers from agoraphobia if:

-The person is anxious about being in a place or situation where escape or help may be difficult in the event of a panic attack, or panic like symptoms. Examples are being in a crowd or travelling on a bus.

– The person avoids these places

-The person endures these places with extreme anxiety

-The person endures these places only with the help of a friend or companion

-There is no underlying condition that may explain the person’s symptoms.

I, myself have experienced these symptoms and what it is like for a person, secondhand. As I mentioned in my first blog, my sister suffers from agoraphobia. I know that it is very difficult to get through and going manyplaces is not easy for her. It is hard for a person to just “suck it up” or “get over it” as we would like to say to them. I have gotten into any arguments with her because dealing with someone with agoraphobia is very frustrating. For example: we have gone into stores (clothing stores, food stores, etc.) where there used to be no problem with them. When it comes to going into them now she will either avoid going all together, or have a very hard time even getting into the store, or she will start to freak out and leave. Personally, I don’t think her disorder is as bad as many other people’s who suffer from this. Some places she is able to go into without a problem but some are a major issue. I know for one, that school was a big problem for her. She would constantly start panicking in a classroom and have to leave about 6 0r 7 times to go to the bathroom or nurses office where s would then come home. She used to make herself physically sick, which was the first time we realized she had a a problem.

Agoraphobia- what causes it?

Many people are always questioning what exactly causes a person’s agoraphobia, the truth is experts are not completely sure what the exact causes of agoraphobia are. Most of them believe that they are a result of physical and or psychological factors.

Agoraphobia is thought to be a complication of a panic disorder, a disorder characterized by regular episodes of panic attacks which trigger severe physical reactions for no reason at all. Panic attacks can be extremely frightening according to those who have it. It actually causes people to think they are losing control or even dying. Some people may link their panic attacks to one or two situations that they have experienced. By avoiding those places or situations the person believes he or she may be preventing future recurrences of panic attacks. If a situation or place has people, perceived as potential witnesses to a panic attack by the sufferer, they are more likely to avoid it. Agoraphobia very rarely develops without an accompanying panic disorder. When it does, nobody knows what caused it.


Anxiety Treatments

Through all of my research there seems to be a lot of ways of treating your anxiety and panic attacks. Most ways are extremely easy and efficent.

Therapy- talking it out with a professional or even a friend or family member.  Talking about how you are feeling and what you are going through is the most effective way in healing your anxiety.

Going for a walk or run- clearing your mind and trying to focus on other things, get your body moving to increase your seretonin levels.

Acupuncture or a massage- calm your nerves down and let your mind and body relax and heal

Medication- medication is always available, but I truely believe(someone with anxiety) that there are other ways to heal anxiety.  I know everyone is different, and yes, medication is definitly effective, I truly recommend talking it out and increase your excercise.


I hope everyone is keeping calm during finals and are not stressing themselves out too much. Its not good for you or your body.

Anticipatory Anxiety

Another form of anxiety, one in which I never even realized had its own name is, Anticipatory Anxiety.  Anticipatory anxiety is having an anxiety or panic attack about something that has happened in the past and you are affraid of having to come into contact with it again. Examples are: public speaking, maybe driving fast or even after an accident, anything having to do with coming to grips with something that has given you much fear or regret in the past. When you are experiencing anticipatory anxiety your symtoms are just like when you have an anxiety attack, your heart is recing, shortness of breath, tense muscles, sweaty palms, etc. People cmoe across these fears everyday. My fear is when I know that i will be driving on a curvy highway or road, especially in the snow/rain because I was in a terrible accident one time while it was snowy/rainy out and the curve of the road caused me to loose control. Just writing about it gives me anticipatory anxiety. Does anyone want to maybe share something that has happened in the past that they get anticipatory attacks over? Talking about them is really one of the best ways to get over them!!


I have talked about Anxiety attacks, panic attacks, social anxiety and specific phobias.  This video that I am going to put up is a few minutes long. It is interesting, pretty much the same information I have already talked about but now you can hear about it and actually see it. It gives you examples about what you may do in a certain situation and your sensory responses. This happens to just about everyone.

Anxiety – specific phobias

There are many types of anxiety which I have mentioned. Social anxiety, panic attacks and stress. Another type of anxiety is specific phobias. People that have specific phobias often have anxiety over certain things or situations. Animals like dogs or cats, being closterphobic in closed-in places or tunnels, being up high, driving fast or driving or walking over bridges.

“Phobias aren’t just extreme fear; they are irrational fear. You may be able to ski the world’s tallest mountains with ease but panic going above the 10th floor of an office building. Adults with phobias realize their fears are irrational, but often facing, or even thinking about facing, the feared object or situation brings on a panic attack or severe anxiety”.”></a>

I definitly have anxiety over specific phobias, I am highly closterphobic and hate being in inclosed, tight spaces. I am terrified of flying, not because I am affraid it is going to crash, but because I am inclosed in a space for too long and can’t get out. Other people on the flight must think I am crazy because I walk to the bathroom or walk up and down the aisles atleast 40 times. It helps me to feel more free and my breathing is at a controlled rate.

“Specific phobias strike more than 1 in 10 people. No one knows just what causes them, though they seem to run in families and are a little more prevalent in women. Phobias usually first appear in adolescence or adulthood. They start suddenly and tend to be more persistent than childhood phobias; only about 20 percent of adult phobias vanish on their own. When children have specific phobias–for example, a fear of animals–those fears usually disappear over time, though they may continue into adulthood. No one knows why they hang on in some people and disappear in others.

Specific Symptoms of Specific Phobias:

Marked and persistent fear that is excessive or unreasonable, cued by    the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g.,  flying, heights, animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood)Exposure to the phobic stimulus almost invariably provokes an    immediate anxiety response, which may take the form of a situationally bound or situationally predisposed (In children, the anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums,    freezing, or clinging.)”

I found all of this information interesting and helpful.



Panic Attacks

Panic attacks are the most common form of anxiety. Just about everyone may have one in their life time. I have experienced multiple and can tell you that they are no fun! They are easy to control once you can control yourself. From experience, I have gotten them when I am over stressed or over think things. I get sweaty palms, my heart is racing and I literally feel like I am trapped in a bubble and can’t get out. There are many different ways to stop panic attacks, but my favorite is going for a walk. I literally will walk around my block 5 times, breathing through my mouth, taking long and calming exhales. My neighbors probably think I am crazy, but it is the only way that really helps me. I like to talk to my dad when I am having one because he has had them before, where as my mom has never experienced one and doesn’t realize what I am going through. If you ever feel these symptoms come on, just calm yourself as best as you can, get fresh air and talk about it with someone.

Below is a website describing what panic attacks are, their symptoms, what causes them and how they can be treated. If you feel as if you have ever had a panic attack or just want to read about them incase you do ever have one this website is very helpful!


Social Anxiety

Hope everyone is having a good semester! We’re down to the last few weeks.  If you find yourself getting anxious and overwhelmed with school work, projects and exams, take time to breathe and gather yourself. I find it really helpful to write everything down that is due- and write out the days of the week and make it a point to do certian things on certain days.  Then once something is complete and finished cross the assignment off your list. It feels good! Talk to someone, like your family, teachers, frients, etc. if you feel like you can’t get yourself in a calm manor. Everything will be ok.

We don’t even notice when anxiety first appears. Some people are more anxious earlier in life than others. One really common anxiety, that most adolescents and 20 year old have is social anxiety. LIke going to high school, college, new jobs. We feel like we won’t fit in with a certain group or the popular group if you don’t talk or act a certain way. Its so common for everyone to feel this way. We feel so conscious about ourself and our appearance that we forget how to act. Listed below are some common symptoms of social anxiety-take a look at them. And always remember to be yourself and stay calm. Don’t let your mind take over your actions, have control.

“Physical Symptoms(what you feel)

  • Examples: racing heart, upset stomach, shaking, choking sensations, sweating, blushing, trembling, dry mouth, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, urge to urinate, etc.
  • People with social anxiety are often very concerned about visible signs of anxiety, such as blushing or trembling.

Negative Thoughts (what you think)

  • Examples: “I’m going to say something stupid,” “I’ll get anxious and others will notice,”  “They won’t like me,” “Others will think I’m stupid,” “I’ll offend someone,” or “No one will talk to me.”
  • People with social anxiety tend to have negative thoughts about themselves (e.g., “I’ll have nothing to say”), as well as how others will react to them (e.g., “Others will think I’m weird”).
  • People with social anxiety also tend to focus their attention on themselves during social situations.  They focus on their performance and how anxious they feel and look.

Avoidance and Safety Behaviors(what you do)

  • Examples: Avoiding (e.g., not going to the party), escaping a scary social situation (e.g., leaving the party early) or engaging in protective behaviours to try and stay safe (e.g., drinking alcohol, staying quiet, and avoiding eye contact).
  • People with social anxiety will often try to avoid or escape social situations.  If they do go into social situations, they tend to do things to feel less anxious or to protect themselves from embarrassment or negative evaluation (e.g., if I’m worried about saying something stupid, then I’ll try to avoid talking).”


Anxiety control

Anxiety is also known as a part of “control issues”.  We feel this way because we feel like we are loosing control or have fear of loosing control.


Watch this video to find out more!


Anxiety symptoms

Below, is a link to a website where they list over 100 symptoms of anxitey. After reading them, some I never realized were considered symptoms of anxiety. Interesting video clip on here too.

Hope everyone is having a good, relaxing semester. Don’t get yourself overly anxious about your workload or exams. Make sure you talk to someone if you are feeling anxious or having trouble focusing on things going on in your life.

Anxiety symptoms and treatments

Below is a link to a video on youtube that is very clear on what the symptoms of anxiety are and a couple ways on helping to cure anxiety. If you have time, the video was interesting and informative!


hey everyone!! I picked anxiety as my topic because it is something that I suffer from and it is something that alot of people suffer from.  It’s all mental for me. I over think way too much and get anxious over everything. It is something that you eventually can overcome. There is medication and therapy. Talking about it is something that makes it alot better for me. I don’t believe that medication is the answer for solving anxiety issues, I honestly believe that talking about it is the strongest way to get better, but everyone is different. As long as you acknowledge that you have anxiety, you are on the right path to getting it controlled!