There are other methods of treatment for anxiety and agoraphobia, among them are medications and different types of psychological therapy. Anti-depressants such as Paxil (Paroxetine) Prozac (Fluoxetine) and Zoloft (Sertraline) have proven to be effective with some people. Anti-anxiety medications such as Xanax (Alprazolam) can also can be very useful.

Often phobics have a difficult time taking medications because they're afraid of the physical reactions they'll experience if there are side effects. One way to make this process easier is to shave the pills with a razor blade and take tiny doses until a tolerance can be built up.

Therapy

Cognitive therapy has been enormously helpful to me in my quest to learn coping skills to deal with my phobic challenge. It primarily addresses the way we think and the little messages we give ourselves each day that contribute to our anxiety. Learning a different way of thinking is wonderfully helpful in anxiety management.

This type of therapy represents a significant advance in the treatment and prevention of emotional disorders. It's based upon the rationale that certain behavioral and emotional disorders are produced by negative and self-defeating perceptions about ourselves, the future, and the world around us. Cognitive therapy teaches people to identify and change their negative thinking patterns in order to improve self-esteem, enhance interpersonal relationships, and relieve the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression.

Numerous scientific studies have shown that cognitive therapy can often be as effective as medication for the treatment of certain types of depression, and can be quite effective in preventing relapse.

Cognitive therapy has been successfully applied in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, including stress, phobias, panic disorder and agoraphobia. It's also been successful in treating marital and family conflict, sexual dysfunction, and problems with teenagers and children. Developed by Aaron T. Beck, M.D., at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Cognitive Therapy, this treatment approach continues to be studied and developed at major universities around the world.

more: Resources for Help and Change for Those with Agoraphobia and Anxiety Disorders

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