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Treatment of agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a strong fear of situations from which it is difficult to escape - a "safe place" cannot be reached or can only be reached with difficulty. For example, fear of confined spaces (elevators, movie theaters, public transport), but also of large places, queuing in supermarkets, going to department stores and crowds in general. These fears are usually accompanied by thoughts of catastrophe such as fainting or even dying. Out of fear of anxiety, those affected avoid such situations and increasingly withdraw. Avoiding or fleeing from supposed sources of danger leads to short-term relief and is therefore retained for future situations.
This avoidance leads to a generalization of anxiety, i.e. the number of feared situations increases steadily. In addition, those affected display safety behaviors such as the constant presence of a partner or friends, carrying medication for "emergencies", lying down to take it easy and more. They are sometimes no longer able to go shopping or even leave the house. This results in both professional and private restrictions and a high level of suffering.
Treatments & therapies
How does agoraphobia develop?
Agoraphobia can occur with or without panic attacks. It often develops as a result of an unexpected panic attack and the resulting fear of anticipation and avoidance behavior. Those affected avoid situations in which - in the event of a panic attack - escape is difficult or embarrassing, or help from others is hardly possible.
Please contact JUVENIS by phone at +43 1 236 3020by e-mail to empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact formto make an appointment for a consultation or treatment.
Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (VT)
In order to rule out physical causes (e.g. hyperthyroidism, other hormonal disorders, heart defects) for the development of the anxiety disorder, a medical examination is strongly recommended before any psychotherapy.
Each treatment is preceded by a comprehensive diagnosis. In addition, an individual explanatory model is created, which provides insight into the development of the disorder. This includes pre-existing risk factors (e.g.: increased anxiety) as well as triggers (e.g.: panic attack in public, job loss, separation, death) and maintaining factors (avoidance of feared situations, tranquilizers) of the illness, which are given special consideration during treatment.
The therapeutic relationship between client and psychotherapist is an important factor in treatment. Within this framework, problems from the entire lifespan, i.e. stresses from childhood, difficulties in current life and fears/anxieties about the future, can be dealt with.
Learning a relaxation method (e.g. abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation or autogenic training) is of particular importance. The patient is encouraged to practise the learned method daily in order to counteract the anxiety in the long term.
An important part of the treatment consists of providing the affected person with information about the anxiety disorder - in the long term, the client should learn to overcome their difficulties independently and become an "expert" on their problems.
If the patient has unrealistic fears, expectations or negative thoughts (e.g. "I'll never make it", "I'm about to fall over"), these should be critically examined as part of the therapy. The aim of these cognitive techniques is to restructure the worries, which in themselves are unfounded, in order to help the patient overcome their fears.
Together with the patient, situations are discussed that trigger an anxiety reaction and are therefore avoided in everyday life. In therapy, the patient applies the relaxation method she has learned and is confronted with one of the anxiety-inducing situations - while refraining from safety behavior (e.g. escape, avoidance or carrying emergency medication). The confrontation (exposure) can take place in the imagination (in sensu) or in reality (in vivo). The patient experiences that the fears are unpleasant but not dangerous. She recognizes that the fear - after it has reached its peak - also subsides by itself, that safety behaviours are not necessary and that her fears usually do not materialize! Through such corrective experiences, the patient re-evaluates the original trigger of the fear. The patient should be repeatedly confronted with as many of these feared situations as possible until they no longer trigger anxiety.
Depending on the individual problem, other psychotherapeutic methods may be used in specific cases.
Costs
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 therapy session (50 minutes) for the treatment of agoraphobia for new patients | € 130 |
| 1 therapy session (50 minutes) for the treatment of agoraphobia for existing patients | € 120 |
In behavioral therapy, a frequency of 1 session per week is common.
A partial refund of the costs via your health insurance is possible if you have a mental disorder that qualifies as an illness. Some private supplementary insurance policies often cover part of the costs—however, patients should check with their supplementary insurance provider.
It is also possible to deduct clinical-psychological treatment from tax as an extraordinary burden.
FAQs
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which those affected experience fear of situations or places from which escape seems difficult or where help is not available in an emergency. This often involves crowds, public transportation, or large, open spaces.
Typical symptoms include:
severe anxiety or panic in certain situations
Heart palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath
Avoidance behavior (e.g., avoiding certain places)
sense of losing control
Anxiety or fear of experiencing panic attacks again
The causes are usually varied and may include:
past traumatic or anxiety-inducing experiences
genetic predisposition
Stress or psychological strain
Panic disorders
Treatment is tailored to each individual and may include:
psychotherapy sessions
Behavioral therapy (e.g., exposure therapy)
Strategies for Coping with Anxiety
The goal is to gradually reduce anxiety and improve quality of life.
The process begins with a thorough medical history review and diagnostic evaluation. We then develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
In many cases, agoraphobia is highly treatable. With the right therapy, symptoms can be significantly reduced or completely overcome.
The duration depends on the severity of the condition and the individual's specific circumstances. In many cases, treatment lasts several weeks to several months.
Helpful steps include:
gradual exposure to anxiety-provoking situations
Relaxation and breathing techniques
Stress reduction
Support through therapeutic guidance
If your anxiety severely limits your daily life, causes you to avoid certain situations, or leads to panic attacks, early treatment is particularly important.
Psychotherapeutic interventions generally have few side effects. When it comes to medication, potential side effects are discussed on an individual basis.
The cost depends on the scope of the therapy and the number of sessions. A therapy session costs €130 for new patients and €120 for existing patients.
You can get the exact prices during a personal consultation.
Depending on the type of treatment, your health insurance may cover some or all of the costs.
At JUVENIS, you will be cared for by experienced medical specialists and therapists. Through personalized treatment plans, modern therapeutic methods, and compassionate support, we strive to achieve a lasting improvement in your quality of life.
We’ve answered the most common questions about agoraphobia here. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us atempfang@juvenismed.at or by phone at +43 1 236 3020.
Team
Mag.Hilde Winkler
Mag.Dorothea Bertram
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Responsible for the content of this page: Hilde Winkler & Dorothea Bertram