Is there non-medical hope for agoraphobics?

arlana129 · Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 2

Please, is there anyone who is suffering from agoraphobic? I cant stand it anymore. I am so afraid every time when I am on some open space or in the crowd. That constant fear they will run me over or that sky is going to fall on my head is making me desperate. I had tried with some medications but that didn't work. Is there non-medical hope for agoraphobics?

giorgi1402 · Newbie Joined: 25 Dec 2007 Posts: 3

Yes, there is hope. Behaviorally focused psychotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment. These kind of behavioral strategies are based upon the finding that distorted perceptions and interpretations of fear producing stimuli play a major role in perpetuation of phobias. Individual and group therapy sessions teach the patient to identify specific negative thoughts associated with the anxiety producing situations and help to reduce the patient's fear of loss of control.

JR1 · Supporter Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 97

Giorgi is right. The best treatment for agoraphobia is CBT. I highly recommend cbt for panic, anxiety and depression. I have been off meds since shortly after my group ended. If you can't afford a cbt group pick up a copy of Been there, done that? Do this! By sam obitz (tao3.com) and start doing the tea form exercise in it. This is one of the two books we used in my group. The more you work on the exercises the more relief you get, I am still improving today.

annie1 · Newbie Joined: 10 Feb 2007 Posts: 28

Is there non-medical hope for agoraphobics?

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