Do You Have Agoraphobia? Quiz (With Examples)
Agoraphobia is when you are afraid of having an anxiety attack in a situation where it may be difficult to leave or where help may not be accessible.
Does this sounds like you? Take the test and match your symptoms:
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is the extreme fear of being in situations where it may be difficult to leave or ‘escape’, or being present in open or crowded places.
Agoraphobia is more than just the mild agitation that we feel when we are on a busy train or other crowded places. When an individual experiences agoraphobia, they may limit themselves in their everyday life by avoiding crowded spaces and any other environments that make them feel extreme panic.
There is no specific reason as to why people develop different degrees of agoraphobia. However, individuals may find that they begin to feel panic or extreme stress when confronted with a certain situation or circumstance that has evoked these feelings before.
Signs of Agoraphobia
Symptoms of Agoraphobia
According to The Australian Government’s Department of Health:
Panic Disorder is a condition that affects
of the Australian and New Zealand populations each year
Women are
more likely than men to experience a panic disorder
How You Can Take Control
Learn More
One of the primary challenges of conquering agoraphobia is to learn how exactly to respond to irrational thoughts brought on by particular environments and situations. By undertaking particular measures to combat these thoughts, your feelings will gradually follow to become less and less overwhelming.
Seek Help From a Support Group
If your agoraphobia is so debilitating that you can’t go on with daily life without feeling some kind of anxiety or stress, it may be worth looking to get some additional help from others. You may find that a support group, either online or in-person, can be just what you need to kickstart your journey in overcoming these feelings. Seeking help within a support group is a great starting point for those who would like to take the first step in managing their anxieties without having to be confronted with leaving their home or entering a space that brings forward these anxieties.
Seek Help From a Professional
If the above steps do not help, it is time to contact a professional. You may feel as if you can manage all of your fears, but by not confronting them you will only strengthen them. Do not be scared to let your GP know what you are feeling – they will be able to refer you to a specialised professional that will provide you with actionable steps, along with other ways to help to overcome your agoraphobia.