Agoraphobia is not the opposite of claustrophobia
Agoraphobia is not the opposite of claustrophobia, but many people think it is. In fact, I used to think exactly that. I used to think exactly that even when I suffered from agoraphobia. They even offered me the opportunity to join a group of agoraphobics, but I said no because I was not afraid of open spaces. I quite liked the open spaces as long as there was no one else near me. In fact, if there were no other humans in sight, that was fine as far as I’m concerned. But all of that was a long time ago.
The translation of agoraphobia is ‘fear of the market’, not, as many people think, fear of open spaces. The essence of market it’s people and human interaction. That is the terrible thing. The places that agoraphobios usually avoid or have problems with are supermarkets, theaters, cinemas, crowds, parties. Places where a quick exit can be difficult.
Fear is usually showing itself in some way in the eyes of others. Agoraphobia generally worry about things like: vomiting (usually as a result of severe anxiety); Fainting; have a panic attack; or suffer a genuine health emergency such as a heart attack. The worry is usually embarrassment, perhaps passing out and finding yourself on a supermarket floor staring at a circle of concerned faces who will insist on making a fuss and calling an ambulance.
Many agoraphobia manage to get by with a trusted helper to accompany them when they need to go shopping or socialize. This person is there to rescue them and take them home in case something bad happens, like a panic attack. But when that helper is not available, life is severely restricted.
If medical help is obtained, the most likely result is tranquilizer and antidepressant medication. None of which actually solve the problem, they only allow a minimal level of functionality. The problem remains, like a monster in the closet, waiting to show its terrifying face as soon as you turn off the lights or look the other way. Then you are trapped. The medication keeps the monster locked in the closet, but it doesn’t get rid of it. Stop the medication and the monster will be free once more.
Life as an agoraphobe is not fun at all.
So if you are agoraphobic and you are reading this, I want to assure you a few things:
- This is not a disease, but you can ‘cure’ it.
- There is nothing physically wrong with you.
- Your brain is as normal as anyone else’s.
- The cause is your way of thinking.
- The cure is to change the way you think.
Changing your mind is not easy, but it is much easier than living the isolated and fearful life of an agoraphobe.
When you think about the totality of the change you need to make, it seems like an insurmountable task.
When you think about the next step to take, it not only becomes possible, but relatively easy.
The first steps are the hardest. Every step after the first few gets easier. They become easier because you have the memory of success and the knowledge that what you are doing is already making a positive difference in your life.