Unravel the enigma of Agoraphobia, a complex anxiety disorder, through the lens of Netflix's 'The Woman in the Window'. Discover how this gripping narrative illuminates the struggles and realities of those living with this often misunderstood condition.
Agoraphobia
A mental health condition that comes with an intense fear of leaving home
- People are slowly resuming some level of normalcy after more than a year of living under pandemic conditions, and some have said on social media that it’s hard for them to get out again, even citing agorafobia as a reason
What are symptoms of agoraphobia?
Being afraid of spending time alone, being afraid of places where escape might be hard, depending on others, feeling helpless, feeling that your body is not real, having an unusual temper or agitation, and staying in your house for long periods
Can the pandemic create more cases of agoraphobia?
Experts do not expect an increase in cases of this, but expect more people will have some degree of anxiety about being away from home more.
- Getting back to normal will require a bit of exposure therapy, and some people will feel anxious about getting out more.
Agoraphobia
An intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it’s hard to escape, or where help might not be available, according to MedlinePlus.
- Often linked to panic attacks, Luana Marques, PhD, associate professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, tells Health.
How is agoraphobia treated?
Treatment usually uses a combination of talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
- In more severe cases, sedatives or hypnotic drugs may be prescribed.
- CBT encourages the patient to expose themselves slowly to situations that scare them.
What causes agoraphobia?
A more typical case is when someone has a panic attack and then starts to be afraid of situations that might lead to another panic attack.
- Continuing to avoid leaving the house can make it worse, Alicia H. Clark, PsyD, author of Hack Your Anxiety, tells Health.com.
