anxiety disorder

Agoraphobia – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

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Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that reveals itself as a fear of situations that can cause feelings of helplessness, embarrassment, panic, and being trapped. This disorder causes symptoms of a panic attack, even in people with no history of such attacks. It can cause nausea and rapid heartbeat. For some people, these symptoms can arise simply by anticipating an unsavoury situation.

Agoraphobia can get so severe that it can cause people to avoid doing regular activities like going to the bank, being in a crowd, on a bridge, or even staying outside alone. In this post, we will consider the causes, symptoms, and treatment of agoraphobia.

Quick Facts on Agoraphobia

  • It might occur after suffering a panic attack.
  • Agoraphobia manifests in different forms, including fear of open spaces, elevators, and leaving home.
  • It can come with physical symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
  • Agoraphobia can be treated.

What is Agoraphobia?

The word Agoraphobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Agora,’ which connotes a market or place where people are gathered. Agoraphobia is usually confused with a dread of open spaces, but it is more complicated than that.

As the name implies, anxiety disorders are a constant feeling of stress and anxiety and they can worsen over time. A panic disorder that usually triggers agoraphobia occurs when a person feels sudden dread without any apparent cause of said terror.

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

There are several symptoms of this disorder.

The common ones are:

  • Fear of leaving the house for long periods
  • Fear of being alone in a crowd
  • Fear of losing control in outside spaces
  • Fear of enclosed spaces like an elevator or car
  • Tremendous anxiety or agitation
  • Detachment from others

Agoraphobia often goes hand in hand with panic attacks. Thus, a person who has agoraphobia might suffer physical problems like:

  • Chest constrictions
  • Shortness of breath
  • Shaking
  • Rapid heartbeats
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea

And agoraphobia is a vicious cycle: stressful situations cause a panic attack, and the memory of the panic attack increases the fear of being in such circumstances.

How Agoraphobia can affect the sufferer’s life?

As you can see, it is a debilitating condition that can affect the sufferer’s quality of life. Although sufferers often know that their fear is irrational, they cannot do anything about it no matter how hard they try.

This phobia can change sufferers’ behaviour and affect their performance in school, work, or other aspects of their life. It can make them depressed and sad and can even make them contemplate suicide. Some sufferers turn to substance abuse. And a recent study shows that agoraphobia can lead to inflammation which can increases the chances of heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Causes of Agoraphobia

As with several other phobias, the exact cause of agoraphobia is unknown. Nevertheless, research shows that some factors increase the chances of suffering agoraphobia.

Some of these factors are:

Agoraphobia occurs in more women than men and often starts at age 20. However, these are the average statistics: It can happen at any age before or after age 20.

Agoraphobia Diagnosis

How is this phobia diagnosed?

Usually, a person who feels he has agoraphobia has an interview with a healthcare professional – often a psychiatrist or someone in the profession.

The professional will assess the symptoms based on different parameters. Family members or friends may describe the sufferer’s behaviour to help with diagnosis. Sometimes, a physical exam might be done to eliminate the chances of other conditions with similar symptoms.

Within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5, the criteria for diagnosing agoraphobia include stress or extreme terror at being in two or more of the following circumstances:

  • On public transportation
  • In an open place
  • In enclosed spaces
  • In social gatherings
  • Away from the house alone

It might also include:

  • Overblown fear of actual danger
  • Avoiding situations or needing the help of someone to face the situation
  • Long-term phobia

Agoraphobia Treatment

While agoraphobia can be debilitating, the good news is that it can be treated successfully. There are different ways to treat it, and most professionals combine one or two treatments to achieve a positive result.

  • Therapy

There are three therapies mainly used to treat this phobia – psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), and exposure therapy.

  • Psychotherapy

Talk therapy has proved to be an effective treatment for different types of phobias, including agoraphobia.

It involves talking regularly to a mental health professional. Talking can help the sufferer disclose the fears and issues that contribute to the phobia.

In some cases, it is coupled with medication. Psychotherapy is a temporary treatment and it can be stopped once you can deal with the cause of your fears.

  • CBT

CBT is the most common treatment for agoraphobia. It helps the sufferer to understand how they feel and view agoraphobia. It also allows sufferers to replace thoughts of dread with peaceful, helpful ideas that can drive the fear away.

  • Exposure therapy

In this treatment, you are exposed to the situations that trigger agoraphobia in a controlled environment. This gentle and slow exposure can help you to lose the fear gradually. They serve as hormone medication.

Some drugs can help with agoraphobia. Some of these include Paxil, Prozac, Elavil, Pamelor, Xanax, Klonopin, and Effexor. Inhibitors, anti-depressants, and anti-anxiety medication. You’ll probably use these medications for six months or one year. If you get better, the doctor might start limiting the dosage.

  • Self-help

You can help yourself, to an extent, by changing your lifestyle. Some of the things you can try are:

  • Exercising regularly
  • Having a healthy, balanced diet
  • Practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises to reduce stress and fight panic attacks.

Concluding Thoughts

It might not be possible to prevent agoraphobia. But with early detection and treatment, you can fight it and get better. While there is no definitive cure, early implementation of the procedures discussed above can help minimize the symptoms and help you gain control of your life.

9 Best Selling Books on Anxiety

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Best Selling Books on Anxiety

What are some anxiety books best sellers? What books can I read to overcome anxiety and live a more content life? These could be some of the questions you may be asking yourself. Know that you are not alone as there are several individuals trying to cope with anxiety disorders everyday. It is a common mental illness in U.S. impacting 40 million adults each year.

Undoubtedly, having anxiety can be a demanding, painful, and an isolating experience, but if there’s any positive take from years of rise in reported anxiety and depression, it is that there is an increasing number of great writing on the subject. Certainly, self-help books are not an instant cure or replacement for treatment but these books can offer invaluable insight and recommend effective techniques for improving your mind-set. Below you will find 9 anxiety books best sellers that you or an anxious person you know might find informative and even life changing.

1. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne PhD

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne PhD

The revised and seventh edition by Edmund J. Bourne PhD is an evidence based workbook containing a broad array of coping skills to deal with different anxiety disorders and panic attacks. It is one of those books recommended by therapists worldwide for individuals battling anxiety and phobias. The workbook consists of the utmost effective skills for evaluating and treating anxiety, you will find a great deal of tools for calming anxiety, ways of putting a stop to negative-self talk and learning to take command of your anxious thoughts. It also includes:

  • Techniques for relaxation and breathing
  • Fresh research on exposure therapy to manage phobias
  • Useful tips on mindfulness, nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes which will impact anxiety

The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook has been written by an expert in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) field with the latest clinical research which intend demonstrates the books credibility. In a phased manner, the workbook outlines treatment approaches for agoraphobia, panic disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), worry, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and fear. In addition, this revised version also has new information on avoiding relapse after effective treatment and recent updates on medication and more.

The workbook can be used on its own or in conjunction with therapy. What is most appreciated is the how comprehensive the workbook is and assists a great deal in getting you back in control of your life. The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook is a great resource for the spouses, family or friends of people who experience anxiety as they too can gain an understanding of the disorder and learn how they can be supportive during periods of heightened anxiety or panic attacks.

2. Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast by Barry McDonagh  

Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast by Barry McDonagh

This is a comprehensive guide for individuals who think that life without anxiety and panic attacks is impossible. The author bases the book on science and his personal experience in assisting anxiety sufferers, revealing his utmost effective technique called DARE. The tools, factual information, exemplary scenarios and thorough explanations in this book are simple and indeed motivational as it inspires you to take the step and change your life.

In this comprehensive anxiety guide you will learn:

  • Tools to help put a stop to panic attacks and feelings of general anxiety
  • To face any anxious situations which you could be avoiding
  • To cease anxious or intrusive thoughts
  • To use the appropriate supplements for anxiety relieve
  • Enhance your confidence and boost self esteem
  • Tips to be free of anxiety to get a good night’s sleep

The book also comes with additional resources, like access details to App for your smartphone together with four audios for anxiety relief.

3. Hardcore Self Help: F**k Anxiety by Robert Duff Ph.D

Hardcore Self Help: F**k Anxiety by Robert Duff Ph.D

This is certainly not the traditional self-help book and is likely not for everyone. However if you like honest hard truth, straightforward advise and don’t mind some strong language then this anxiety book will be great for you. The author talks more like a friend or a fellow mate who also suffers from anxiety. Not only does this book provide coping mechanisms but makes you feel like you have someone to talk to.

The material is not exactly brand new as there are other anxiety books with same coverage, but what makes this anxiety book stand out is the distinctive delivery of the details in an easy going manner. The absence of scientific jargon makes this book highly legible and able to reach everybody.

4. The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron 

The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron

This is a ground-breaking book by Dr. Elaine Aron. Being a highly sensitive person herself and a clinical psychologist, she provides detailed understanding on how to recognise this trait in yourself and use it to your advantage.

In this book you will discover:

  • Self-assessment tests to identify your specific sensitivities
  • Ways you can re-evaluate your past experiences in a positive light
  • Understanding and awareness on how high sensitivity affects relationships both personal and at work place
  • Guidelines on how you can deal with over-arousal
  • Information on medications available and when is the right time to seek help

Suffering from anxiety does not necessarily mean you are a Highly Sensitive Person, as well as people who are Highly Sensitive are not always anxiety sufferers. However, there is a lot of overlap. There is a high chance that a Highly Sensitive Person will be overwhelmed and feel anxious in social situations. Therefore it is vital to understand oneself and identify if there is a need to treat common anxiety or to effectively balance your life to avoid getting too overwhelmed.

5. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns 

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns

Just as the title states, the book is all about “feeling good”. Dr Burns has written a great anxiety book by providing tools for controlling anxiety. He explains exactly how to use cognitive therapy techniques to be free from negative thoughts and reduce depression. One can say with confidence that Dr. Burns has done a great job writing the best substitute to a real therapist. Feeling good is a comprehensive book and is filled with exercises for the reader to engage in, you can probably compare this book to 3 months with a CBT therapist.

In the present time it is extremely easy to let feelings like low self-esteem, anxiety, pessimist thinking and guilt keep us down and make us feel sad and lonely. Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, one of the anxiety books best sellers outlines several ways to handle these negative emotions.

The book communicates to its readers on:

  • How to constantly feel good every day
  • Ways on how you can deal with guilt
  • The reasons for mood swings and how one can address them
  • Learning to tackle negative emotions
  • Approaches to take to build self-esteem
  • Effective ways you can manage criticism and unfriendliness of others

6. The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points by Alice Boyes PhD 

The Anxiety Toolkit: Strategies for Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Moving Past Your Stuck Points by Alice Boyes PHD

Do you frequently end up over analysing situations? Constantly worrying and only picture the worst imaginable outcome? Are highly self-critical and consider yourself a failure for anything you do that’s a little less than perfect? If any of the above situations resonate with you, you are most likely suffering from certain level of anxiety. Though decreasing your anxiety level to zero is not possible, what The Anxiety Toolkit can teach you is how to effectively manage these symptoms.

Dr. Alice Boyes has successfully interpreted evidence based tools from therapy clinic into techniques and tips you can apply in your daily lives. She has written an interactive book which provides an in depth detail on the causes of anxiety and clear steps to take to decrease this significantly. What makes this book stand out is that it inspires you to follow-through and action whatever you have learned.

7. Getting Over OCD, Second Edition: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life (The Guilford Self-Help Workbook Series)  by Jonathan S. Abramowitz 

Getting Over OCD, Second Edition: A 10-Step Workbook for Taking Back Your Life (The Guilford Self-Help Workbook Series) by Jonathan S. Abramowitz

According to ADAA, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) impacts 2.2 million adults, or 1.0% of the U.S. population. If you are one of them then this book can be an effective tool for you. Getting Over OCD comes highly recommended as the author, a leading OCD specialist, Jonathan S. Abramowitz has innovatively presented powerful approaches and techniques that you won’t get from other OCD books. He has made the process simpler by spending an appropriate amount of time in assisting the readers to improve their thought process first before leaping into changing habits.

The workbook is comprehensively updated and based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) which is an effective treatment of this anxiety disorder. The workbook Getting Over OCD will assist you in:

  • Understanding just how OCD affects your body and mind
  • Overcoming obsessional thoughts and compulsive behaviours
  • Finding relief from your intrusive thoughts
  • Getting rid of compulsive rituals
  • Mitigating anxiety and enhancing your relationships
  • Developing a tailored plan for change

8. Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition): Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh

Full Catastrophe Living (Revised Edition): Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Thich Nhat Hanh

Based on Jon Kabat-Zinn’s well-known mindfulness-based stress reduction program, this book has breakthrough work on mindfulness, meditation, and healing. Full catastrophe living demonstrations ways you can use medically proven mind-body techniques from meditation and yoga to alleviate stress and form better balance of body and mind. By incorporating these mindfulness practices in your life, you can learn to manage lasting pain from illness and stress-related disorders, significantly decrease anxiety and feelings of panic, and advance the overall quality of your life and relationships.

Stress is all around us and more often than not it gets inside us, drains our energy, deteriorates our health, and makes us susceptible to anxiety and depression. This book is suitable for both young and the mature or any person wanting to live a better and stable life in the present time.

9. Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry by Catherine M. Pittman & Elizabeth M. Karle

Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry by Catherine M. Pittman & Elizabeth M. Karle

Psychologist Catherine Pittman and author Elizabeth Karle have provided a remarkable, evidence-based solution to overcoming anxiety. This book takes a close look at the brain, exploring the two sections of the brain called amygdala and cortex. The purpose of explaining how these areas in the brain work is to provide the readers with power to be able to change the way they respond when they encounter anxiety, worry, panic or fear.

Anxiety begins in the brain, not the situation

Some of the learnings from Rewire Your Anxious Brain include:

  • Reasons why you sometimes cannot think when anxiety, panic or fear take over
  • How to get past a panic attack quicker
  • Ways in which your past affects your anxiety in the present
  • How any object can end up producing fear in someone
  • Triggers and how they impact your anxiety, worry, fear or panic

This book will provide a greater understanding of how anxiety is created in the brain, therefore as a result, you will feel motivated to overcome it.

Final Thoughts

While the above listed anxiety books best sellers will assist you in understanding anxiety disorders and its coping mechanisms, you may still be wondering if these will actually help you with your anxiety? The answer to this really depends on the fact if you are reading a book with expectation of being “fixed” by merely reading it or you intend to action the learnings. Therefore yes, these books are beneficial as a starting point as it will give you perspective on what your anxiety is and where it comes from. These books will make the work a little easier, but you still have to do the work.

Neurofolin – L-Methylfolate for Dietary Management of Depression

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Neurofolin

Neurofolin is an item of nourishment for the special medicinal purposes that provides nutritional support in the management of depression. The main content of Neurofolin is L-Methylfolate which is an active form of folate found to be deficient in individuals experiencing depressive disorders. It nutritionally supports by creating mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Neurofolin has shown to be a promising adjunct therapy as it has successfully been used together with depression’s primary treatment, anti-depression medicine

Individuals with depressive disorders can experience a treatment that is partially effective at relieving their depression and some that cause unbearable side effects. It is likely it may be treatment-resistant depression where symptoms have not improved after being treated for depression.  In situations like this, it is best to work closely with your psychiatrist to explore options like supplementing with L-Methylfolate.

How does Neurofolin work?

Neurofolin has been precisely formulated for the nutritional support of depression management and contains 15mg of L-Methylfolate – an active form of folate.

Folate is a B-group vitamin and like all B vitamins, folate plays a vital role in maintaining the well-being of the nervous system and aids in processing fats and carbohydrates.  In addition to other health complications, folate deficiency can be associated with the development of the major depressive disorder (MDD). In fact, studies have successfully linked folate deficiency to depression.

Regular folic acid cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and need to be transformed to L-Methylfolate in the body before entering the brain, Neurofolin, on the other hand, contains the L-Methylfolate which avoids this step and directly crosses the blood-brain carrier. Once in the brain, L-Methylfolate helps to produce a vital cofactor called BH4 which is involved in the creation of key neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine that is found to be deficient in individuals with major depressive disorder.

What are the Benefits of Neurofolin?

  • Provides access to faster and an active form of folate
  • Proficient strength as it is available in 15mg doses
  • Provides brain and mood support as L-Methyfolate is significant for the production of neurotransmitters related to sleep, concentration, energy, and mood stability.
  • Well tolerated when added to anti-depressant therapy
  • Adjunctive treatment for depression, making it a positive addition to depression management 

Highlighted below are two examples of how people have benefited from the dietary supplement:

  • By taking L-Methylfolate, Colbey’s mental health showed significant improvement and after five months the symptoms had reduced significantly.
  • Neurofolin is seen as a major development for depression sufferers in Australia.

What are the side effects of taking L-Methylfolate?

L-Methylfolate is generally well tolerated when taken in normal doses, however, it can cause a reaction in some people, particularly when taken in high doses. Some of the common side effects include bloating, sleeping difficulties, and nausea. Other possible reactions to L-Methylfolate, especially when taken in a higher quantity include irritability, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, problem staying focused, and feelings of discomfort. Some of the serious side effects which need to be immediately reported to your health care provider include seizures, confusion, or numbness. Mentioned above are most of the side effects, but not all, your health care provider will be able to confer a comprehensive list with you.

Guidelines for Use

Neurofolin being a water-soluble diet supplement comes as an effervescent powder in 15g sachets. Each sachet can be consumed once daily by completely dissolving in 200ml of normal temperature or chilled water, taking note that it needs to be stirred briskly and consumed straightaway.

Where to Buy:

OUT OF STOCK

Conclusion

To sum up, it is important for individuals with depressive symptoms to be examined by a mental health professional and also advisable to seek professional medical advice before self-administering Neurofolin. There is certainly an affirmative global trend in depression treatment towards augmenting medications with particular nutritional support to increase the number of individuals who benefit.

How to Get Rid of Anxiousness

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how-to-get-rid-of-anxiety

Millions of people around the globe are suffering from an anxiety disorder and tend to look up answers on how to get how to get rid of anxiousness.

Anxiety disorder is the most common type of mental health issue which is highly treatable if done at the right time. There are two types of anxiety i.e. the good anxiety which we should keep as that’s what gets us going every day and the bad anxiety, which we need to get rid of or reduce to a certain point where it is not significant.

It is essential that we take steps to overcome bad anxiety and recapture control of your life. This article provides insight into ways to tackle your anxiety disorder.

how to get rid of anxiousness

Ways to get rid of anxiousness:

1. Stay in your current time zone

Anxiety is a future preoccupied state of mind. What’s going to happen? Try to wind back into your present situation and activity. Ask yourself if you have something to do right now rather than thinking of a detached situation that throws you off track.

2. Look around and breathe

Stop what you are doing, look around, focus on some object, and intrude your line of thoughts. Also, perform deep breathing by breathing in and out heavily. This will re-center your mind and help you concentrate better and provide relief from the feeling of anxiousness.

3. Watch a comic video

Play your favorite cartoon, comedy shows/videos or anything that can make you laugh and stop your current thoughts. Laughing is a best pill for a restless mind and helps you generate fresh thoughts.

4. Meditate

Fill your mind with positive thoughts so that positive energy surrounds you which restricts you from getting anxious. Start the day with 10 minutes of privacy and positivity. With a calm and open mind, chant within yourself the word ‘OM’. This will help relax the mind and fill you up with confident energy from within.

5. Exercise

Exercise is the best anti-anxiety therapy. It helps in clearing the mind, shooting up the hormones of the brain and nervous system that helps you sleep better. The least you can do is take a 15 minutes’ walk down the lane and this will help get rid of the wretchedness.

6. Cut down on sugar and caffeine intake and eat healthy

It’s tempting to reach out for something sweet like cakes and chocolates, but it can do more harm as it can aggravate the anxious feelings. Also, consuming too much caffeine can increase heart palpitation and trigger panic or anxiety attacks. Instead of sugar and caffeine get your hands on a healthy and balanced diet. Tips for eating healthy that will assist in getting rid of anxiousness include:

  • Include protein in your breakfast
  • Include carbs such as whole grains
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Limiting or entirely cutting on caffeine
  • Limiting or entirely cutting on alcohol
  • Limiting sugary foods and soda drinks
  • Eating balanced meals on time

7. Cut down on negative thoughts about people

In every step of our life, we are bound to find people and their ideologies to which we may not agree with. Nonetheless, we should not allow their thoughts to draw our potential positive energy into negative energy. It is extremely difficult to reason with people whose opinions are different from ours. As such, it becomes critical to focus on oneself and draw thoughts from within which gives us hope and strength to go through the tough times. Focus on our own character development, self-care, self-consciousness, self-soothing, and loving people around us which is of utmost importance and only things to be pondered upon.

Understandably, the situations are around us sometimes take control of our feelings and we tend to drift into anxious thoughts, which may eventually exacerbate our anxiety disorder.

One must better understand their personal circumstances to be able to distinguish between good and bad anxiety, slowly getting rid of anxiousness resulting from bad anxiety.

To put this into perspective, practical tips on how to get rid of anxiousness will only get you results if you consciously implement these tactics daily in your life.