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Treatment of agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is understood as intense fear of situations from which escape is difficult – where a "safe place" cannot be reached or is difficult to reach. For example, fear of confined spaces (elevators, cinemas, public transport), but also of large squares, queuing in supermarkets, visiting department stores, and crowds in general. These fears are usually accompanied by catastrophic thoughts such as fainting or even dying. Out of fear of the fear itself, those affected avoid such situations and increasingly withdraw. Avoiding or fleeing from perceived sources of danger leads to short-term relief and is therefore maintained for future situations.
This avoidance leads to a generalization of the fear, meaning the number of feared situations steadily increases. Furthermore, those affected show safety behaviors such as the constant presence of a partner or friends, carrying medication for "emergencies," lying down to rest, and more. Sometimes they are no longer able to do their shopping or even leave the house. This results in professional as well as private limitations and, consequently, a high level of psychological distress.
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 anticipatory anxiety 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 3020, by e-mail at empfang@juvenismed.at or via the contact form, to arrange a consultation or treatment appointment.
Treatment methods in behavioral therapy (CBT)
In order to exclude 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.
Every treatment is preceded by comprehensive diagnostics. In addition, an individual explanatory model is created, which offers 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, sedatives) of the illness, which are given special consideration during treatment.
The therapeutic relationship between client and psychotherapist represents a significant active factor in the treatment. Within this framework, problems spanning the entire life, i.e., burdens from childhood, difficulties in current life, and fears/anxieties regarding the future, can be addressed.
Learning a relaxation method (e.g., abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or autogenic training) is of particular importance. The patient is encouraged to practice the learned method daily to counteract the fear in the long term.
An important part of the treatment consists of providing the affected person with information about the anxiety disorder zu vermitteln – langfristig soll der Klient lernen, seine Schwierigkeiten eigenständig zu überwinden und "expert" seiner Probleme werden.
If unrealistic fears, anticipatory anxiety or negative thoughts (e.g.: "I'll never manage that", "I'm going to pass out") exist on the patient's part, they should be subjected to a critical review as part of therapy. The aim of this cognitive techniquesis a restructuring of the essentially unfounded worries in order to promote coping with the 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 learned relaxation method and – while refraining from safety behaviors (e.g., flight, avoidance, or carrying emergency medication) – is confronted with one of the anxiety-inducing situations. The confrontation (exposure)can take place in 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 on its own, that safety behaviors are not necessary and that her fears mostly do not occur! Through such corrective experiences the patient comes to a re-evaluation of 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 fear.
Depending on the individual problem, additional psychotherapeutic methods may be used in the specific case.
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 usual.
A partial reimbursement of costs through your health insurance fund is possible if a clinically significant mental disorder is present. Some private supplementary insurances often cover part of the costs – however, this should be clarified by the patient with their supplementary insurance.
There is also the possibility of deducting clinical-psychological treatment as an extraordinary expense on your taxes.
FAQs
Agoraphobia is a Anxiety disorder, where those affected have a fear of situations or places from which escape seems difficult or where no help is available in an emergency. This often concerns crowds, public transport, or wide, open spaces.
Typical symptoms are:
intense fear or panic in certain situations
racing heart, dizziness, or shortness of breath
avoidance behavior (e.g., avoiding certain places)
feeling of loss of control
insecurity or fear of recurring panic attacks
The causes are usually manifold and can include:
previous distressing or anxiety-inducing experiences
genetic predisposition
stress or psychological strain
panic disorders
Treatment is individualized and may include:
psychotherapeutic conversations
Behavioral therapy (e.g., exposure training)
strategies for coping with anxiety
The goal is to gradually reduce the fear and improve the quality of life.
At the beginning, a detailed Anamnesis and diagnostics. Afterwards, an individual therapy plan is created, tailored to your personal situation.
Agoraphobia is in many cases well treatable. With the right therapy, symptoms can be significantly reduced or completely overcome.
The duration depends on the severity and the individual situation. In many cases, therapy is over several weeks to months.
Helpful measures are:
gradual confrontation with anxiety-inducing situations
relaxation and breathing techniques
stress reduction
support through therapeutic guidance
If your anxiety severely limits daily life, you avoid situations or panic attacks occur, a early treatment is particularly sensible.
Psychotherapeutic measures are generally low in side effects. In the case of medication therapy, possible side effects are discussed individually.
The costs depend on the scope of the therapy and the number of sessions. A therapy session for new patients costs € 130, for existing ones € 120.
The Exact prices will be provided in a personal consultation..
Depending on the form of therapy, a (partial) coverage of costs by the health insurance be possible.
At JUVENIS you will be cared for by experienced specialists and therapists cared for. Through individualized therapy approaches, modern treatment methods and empathetic support, a sustainable improvement in your quality of life aimed for.
We have answered the most frequently asked questions on the topic of Agoraphobia answered. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us via empfang@juvenismed.at or at +43 1 236 3020.
Team
Mag.Hilde Winkler
Mag.Dorothea Bertram
Contact
Responsible for the content of this page: Mag. Hilde Winkler & Mag. Dorothea Bertram