Did you know that Paula Deen suffered from panic attacks and agoraphobia for two decades? Since she had such difficulties leaving home, she spent a lot of time cooking southern food for her family. The kitchen was a safe place for her and focusing on meals helped her to alleviate feelings of panic.
Paula grew up in a time when this disorder was not well understood and she suffered for it – she was even called a brat by her own pastor. She worked hard to overcome her fears and ultimately was able to achieve success from her panic disorder – which is what everyone who suffers from agoraphobia wants.
In my experience people have often not heard of agoraphobia and it can be hard for others to understand. Some typical responses might be, “What’s the big deal about going out?” or “That doesn’t make sense to me.” So perhaps this post can be helpful for those with friends or family members that suffer from this condition and want to have a better understanding of it.
Misconceptions About Agoraphobia:
It’s just a feeling.
Actually, it is a mental disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
It’s the same as having a panic attack. People with agoraphobia may or may not suffer from panic disorder, which is a separate classification from agoraphobia. However, the fear of a panic attack often fuels agoraphobia.
It’s the same as introversion. Introverts have plenty of their own challenges, but being an introvert does not automatically mean you’re an agoraphobe. Introverts often feel overstimulated or unsatisfied in social situations while agoraphobics may feel too uncomfortable or unsafe to make it to the social scene.
Agoraphobes are anti-social. People are not necessarily the problem – it’s feeling unsafe in an environment.
It’s an excuse to stay home. Most people with agoraphobia are very frustrated that they aren’t leading a normal life. Staying home is not about choosing relaxing downtime instead of a night out – it’s frequently the only option.
It’s being lazy. There is a difference between not wanting to run errands and finding yourself incapable of going to the store.
So how can you accurately describe agoraphobia? It can be any of the following signs or symptoms:
Becoming anxious when you feel a lack of control over your environment.
Experiencing anxiety or fear as a result of open spaces, crowds, or traveling.
Fearing or having a panic attack in public.
Avoiding public places due to fear or anxiety.
Having a hard time leaving or being unable to leave a safe zone (home, bedroom, etc.).
Like other disorders, everyone is going to wear their agoraphobia a little bit differently. In some it is a gradual change while for others it develops after a traumatic event. You can help by asking questions, educating yourself, avoiding judgement, and providing support.
Related post: 13 Ways You Can Battle Agoraphobia.
Featured photo by StockMonkeys licensed under CC BY 2.0.
i may yet not smoke simply because cigs are out there
I understand.