Agoraphobia and Panic Disorder Treatment in Malaysia - Psychological Hypnosis Method

What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and often avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed.

With agoraphobia, you fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in a crowd. The anxiety is caused by fear that there's no easy way to escape or seek help if intense anxiety develops. Most people who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more panic attacks, causing them to fear another attack and avoid the place where it occurred.

Agoraphobia treatment usually includes both psychotherapy and medication. It may take some time, but treatment can help you get better.

Typical agoraphobia symptoms include:

• Fear of being alone in any situation
• Fear of being in crowded places
• Fear of losing control in a public place
• Fear of being in places where it may be hard to leave, such as an elevator or train
• Inability to leave your home (housebound) or only able to leave it if someone else goes with you
• Sense of helplessness
• Overdependence on others

In addition, you may have signs and symptoms of a panic attack, such as:

• Rapid heart rate
• Excessive sweating
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling shaky, numb or tingling
• Chest pain or pressure
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Sudden flushing or chills
• Upset stomach or diarrhea
• Feeling a loss of control
• Fear of dying

Panic disorder and agoraphobia

Some people have a panic disorder in addition to agoraphobia. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you experience sudden attacks of extreme fear that reach a peak within a few minutes and trigger intense physical symptoms (panic attacks). You might think that you're totally losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.

Fear of another panic attack can lead to avoiding similar circumstances or the place where it occurred in an attempt to prevent future panic attacks.

Psychotherapy

Also known as talk therapy or psychological counseling, psychotherapy involves working with a therapist to reduce your anxiety symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective forms of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia.

Generally a short-term treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on teaching you specific skills to gradually return to the activities you've avoided because of anxiety. Through this process, your symptoms improve as you build upon your initial success.

You can learn:

• That your fears are unlikely to come true
• That your anxiety gradually decreases if you remain in public and you can manage those symptoms until they do
• What factors may trigger a panic attack or panic-like symptoms and what makes them worse
• How to cope with these symptoms
• How to change unwanted or unhealthy behaviors through desensitization, also called exposure therapy, to safely face the places and situations that cause fear and anxiety

If you have trouble leaving your home, you may wonder how you could possibly go to a therapist's office. Therapists who treat agoraphobia will be well aware of this problem. They may offer to see you first in your home, or they may meet you in what you consider a safe place (safe zones). They may also offer some sessions over the phone, through email, or using computer programs or other media.

Look for a therapist who can help you find alternatives to in-office appointments, at least in the early part of your treatment. You may also want to take a trusted relative or friend to your appointment who can offer comfort and help, if needed.

Message from your clinical hypnotherapist (Hiro Koo):

"Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime,"

I will use clinical hypnosis as an adjunct to psychotherapy session (Psychological hypnosis method): Hypnosis method is used to help patients to reduce cognitive and physical symptoms of anxiety (Frankel and Macfie, 2010; Elkins and Perfect, 2008), and provides you with more control in every day situations (Baker and Nash, 2008). I will also teach you self-hypnosis techniques so you can continue your treatment at home. So next time you feel anxious or overwhelmed, you can practice a brief self hypnosis method and trigger a sensation of calm. 

You can complete the self rating assessment below to understand your condition better (Welcome to email me your result, it will be kept as P&C):
Panic And Agoraphobia Scale

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/basics/definition/con-20029996

http://www.londonhypnotherapyuk.com/agoraphobia-social-phobia/