Trouble for Agoraphobics

I decided to make this little "tidbit" section to offer agoraphobics, and non-phobics as well, some insight into the many little quirks that are typical to agoraphobia. The phobic symptoms (and "quirks") vary greatly from person-to-person and many agoraphobics may not even be aware that other phobics experience these feelings and idiosyncrasies.

I'm not going to go into any true depth on any particular symptom anywhere in this web page as phobics tend to "vacuum" up symptoms and gosh knows we don't need any new symptoms to deal with!

Okay. Here we go!

Did you know...?

Just about any situation where a phobic feels "trapped" may bring on anxiety or panic. There are also many other "triggers" that produce anxiety and panic. Some of these situations may not be very obvious to the average person. Such situations may include:

• Making left hand turns off a highway or busy street
• Sitting in the middle of a row in a theatre etc.
• Exposure to bright lights (especially fluorescent)
• Bad weather conditions (such as being trapped in the house in a snowstorm) or fog (feeling closed in)
• Darkness or bright daylight
• Abrupt change of any kind
• Smells (certain aromas can trigger memories and therefore cause anxiety/panic
• Waiting in line...or just plain old waiting!
• Loud noises
• Taking medication: many phobics find taking medications a very anxiety producing situation, mainly because we don't like the feeling of change that some side effects can produce. To help ease into a new medication, it may be helpful to take the pill (or capsule) in its smallest possible dose. I often shave a pill with a razor blade and take it in very tiny amounts and work up to the recommended dosage.

Did you also know...

that phobics are among the most sensitive, creative, intuitive and intelligent members of the population?

next: Anxiety Tips