My friend has agoraphobia how can she get out of her funk?!
Question: My friend has agoraphobia how can she get out of her funk!?
my friend has agoraphobia and she wants to know if any one has any answers to help her she wants to get on the public bus by june 1st 2008 please help any simple answers one other thing she is disabled and in a wheel chair please help 10 points for best answerWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
just do it!.
Make sure she has friends with for support
and before the bus !.!.!.try some practice runs to the mall
or a fast food place to ease her into itWww@Answer-Health@Com
Make sure she has friends with for support
and before the bus !.!.!.try some practice runs to the mall
or a fast food place to ease her into itWww@Answer-Health@Com
I'm assuming that your friend was diagnosed as agoraphobic by a professional!. If not, a quick definition - it is an unreasonable and excessive fear of panicing in certain public situations!. Agoraphobia is normally accompanied by panic attacks, athough some agoraphobics do not experience true panic attacks!. It is believed that the fear arises from the feeling that that will be a loss of control in an unfamiliar situation that will result in solical embarassment!.
In dealing with any phobia, the key is to decrease feelings of anxiety in face of the fearful situation while preventing the typical avoidance behavior!.
In order to deal with anxiety, there are several available methods!. Drug therapy includes the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications!. Anti-depressants such as SSRIs (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors) are good for relieving the panic attacks associated with agoraphobia!. Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac are SSRIs that have been widely used!. To treat anxiety, Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan are helpful!.
If you're looking for non-medication assistance, the best way to decrease the anxiety experienced with a phobia is through meditation!. There are several meditation techniques that are easy to learn and do not require certain positioning (given the fact that your friend is wheelchair bound)!. I would suggest either Zen or Vipassana meditation!. In Zen, sit up as straight as possible (the lotus position is recommended by not required)!. Then look at your left hand!. Just look and do not allow any other thought to cross your mind!. Just think left!.!.!.feel the left side of your body!. Once your mind empties, take a deep breath and exhale, counting one!. Repeat 9 more times, counting to 10!. Then continue to breath as you normally would, counting each breath!. If you lost track, just start over and continue counting!. A full meditation is about 1/2 hour!. In Vipassana meditation, you simply concentration solely on your breathing - "to watch your breath with awareness" You can be in any position you wish!. Close your eyes and take a few breaths, focusing on the expansion of your chest and muscles and the feeling of the air moving throught your nose and mouth!. Then breath normally, and continue to focus only on each breath!. Pay attention to how the breathing affects your other body parts!. This meditation is great because it can literally be performing anywhere!.
The most common way to extinguish a phobia is through desensitization!. In this technique, the idea is to slowly approach the object of the fear and at the moment the anxeity level increases, stop and use relaxation techniques to lower the anxiety!. After relaxation is achieved, the person is allowed to retreat or "avoid"!. This is simply repeated and eventually, you will find that the person will be able to go farther and farther before feeling that hight level of anxiety!. This is why it's important to have some type of method to control the anxiety and oncoming panic attack before attempting to confront the object of the phobia!.
For example, I had a terrible fear of heights and secured a job in a building where the offices were all open to a huge rotunda with only a railing at the edge!. I was to work on the 12th floor and would need to walk along that railing all day long!. I practiced meditation techniques until I could perform them anywhere!. Then, with a couple of friends, I started at a safe distance from the railing and walked toward it!. When I became anxious, I stopped in my tracks and meditated until I was relaxed!. After about 2 days, I found that I was able to walk a little closer before the anxiety set in!. Again, I stopped, meditated and repeated that process!. After about 8-9 days, I was able to touch the railing without signfiicant anxiety!. 3 years later, I can touch the railing and actually look over to the ground!.
I must say, however, that some phobias are set in to the point that profressional help is necessary!. Keep in mind that certified social workers and psychologists can help with desensitization and that may be an easier route to go!.
As to EMDR, there has been success with PTSD but it has been found to be inconsistently effective with agoraphobia!. EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is an alternative therapy that has been labeled "psuedoscience" in some circles!. The problems with EFT is that it appears to be untestable by scientific method and relies heavily on anecdotal evidence!. There were 4 studies measuring the efficiency of EFT and in 3 of 4, there was no difference between control groups and EFT groups in relieving psychological stress!. In the 4th study, EFT appeared to decrease such stress over a period of time, but the studies has been criticized for its lack of appropriate control groups!.
I sure hope that helped a little!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
In dealing with any phobia, the key is to decrease feelings of anxiety in face of the fearful situation while preventing the typical avoidance behavior!.
In order to deal with anxiety, there are several available methods!. Drug therapy includes the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications!. Anti-depressants such as SSRIs (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors) are good for relieving the panic attacks associated with agoraphobia!. Paxil, Zoloft and Prozac are SSRIs that have been widely used!. To treat anxiety, Xanax, Klonopin and Ativan are helpful!.
If you're looking for non-medication assistance, the best way to decrease the anxiety experienced with a phobia is through meditation!. There are several meditation techniques that are easy to learn and do not require certain positioning (given the fact that your friend is wheelchair bound)!. I would suggest either Zen or Vipassana meditation!. In Zen, sit up as straight as possible (the lotus position is recommended by not required)!. Then look at your left hand!. Just look and do not allow any other thought to cross your mind!. Just think left!.!.!.feel the left side of your body!. Once your mind empties, take a deep breath and exhale, counting one!. Repeat 9 more times, counting to 10!. Then continue to breath as you normally would, counting each breath!. If you lost track, just start over and continue counting!. A full meditation is about 1/2 hour!. In Vipassana meditation, you simply concentration solely on your breathing - "to watch your breath with awareness" You can be in any position you wish!. Close your eyes and take a few breaths, focusing on the expansion of your chest and muscles and the feeling of the air moving throught your nose and mouth!. Then breath normally, and continue to focus only on each breath!. Pay attention to how the breathing affects your other body parts!. This meditation is great because it can literally be performing anywhere!.
The most common way to extinguish a phobia is through desensitization!. In this technique, the idea is to slowly approach the object of the fear and at the moment the anxeity level increases, stop and use relaxation techniques to lower the anxiety!. After relaxation is achieved, the person is allowed to retreat or "avoid"!. This is simply repeated and eventually, you will find that the person will be able to go farther and farther before feeling that hight level of anxiety!. This is why it's important to have some type of method to control the anxiety and oncoming panic attack before attempting to confront the object of the phobia!.
For example, I had a terrible fear of heights and secured a job in a building where the offices were all open to a huge rotunda with only a railing at the edge!. I was to work on the 12th floor and would need to walk along that railing all day long!. I practiced meditation techniques until I could perform them anywhere!. Then, with a couple of friends, I started at a safe distance from the railing and walked toward it!. When I became anxious, I stopped in my tracks and meditated until I was relaxed!. After about 2 days, I found that I was able to walk a little closer before the anxiety set in!. Again, I stopped, meditated and repeated that process!. After about 8-9 days, I was able to touch the railing without signfiicant anxiety!. 3 years later, I can touch the railing and actually look over to the ground!.
I must say, however, that some phobias are set in to the point that profressional help is necessary!. Keep in mind that certified social workers and psychologists can help with desensitization and that may be an easier route to go!.
As to EMDR, there has been success with PTSD but it has been found to be inconsistently effective with agoraphobia!. EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, is an alternative therapy that has been labeled "psuedoscience" in some circles!. The problems with EFT is that it appears to be untestable by scientific method and relies heavily on anecdotal evidence!. There were 4 studies measuring the efficiency of EFT and in 3 of 4, there was no difference between control groups and EFT groups in relieving psychological stress!. In the 4th study, EFT appeared to decrease such stress over a period of time, but the studies has been criticized for its lack of appropriate control groups!.
I sure hope that helped a little!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If it is because of fear of panic attacks: View the techniques for control of panic attacks, in section 8, in my website, at ezy build, below, which I created to contain all the information that there isn't enough space for, here!. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious)!. Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively)!. The paper bag method works for most people: try it!.
If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www!.hypnosisdownloads!.com/
Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist!.com/ website, and use the locators, and phone book!. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them!. For some people, this is enough!. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind!. You could try the same method!. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit!. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack!.
Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed!. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you!. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind)!. Section 53, and pages 2, 2!.q and 2!.o at http://www!.ezy-build!.net!.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself!." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective!.
Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing!. (1!.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer!. (2!.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient!. (3!.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds!. (4!.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out!. (5!.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out!. (6!.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds!. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose!. (7!.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds!. (8!.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes!. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense!.
Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge!. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread!. (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective!. It is currently the subject of much study by neuroscientists, to discover how it works!. Don't dismiss it, merely because it seems a little strange: give it a tryout!)!. Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, or using it on its own, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath!.
Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: a thousand and one: this takes approximately a second)!. Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally if you like) 20 times!. Then close your eyes and relax!. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel!. Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner!. Then, repeat the procedure one last time!. Some people may find that this is all they need do!. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention!.
It may also help to minimise, or eliminate sugar, and caffeine products from your life!. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey, because these will reduce "sugar spikes", which later deplete you of energy!. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar!. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit!. Agoraphobia is addressed in section 27, at ezy build!. Can you, or someone else stay with her, for the first few times of getting on the bus, at least, until she feels confident, and practised enough to try it on her own, or with someone keeping watch, from a distance, in case help is needed!? Let her proceed at her own pace: encourage, but don't push, or criticise!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www!.hypnosisdownloads!.com/
Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist!.com/ website, and use the locators, and phone book!. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them!. For some people, this is enough!. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind!. You could try the same method!. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit!. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack!.
Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed!. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you!. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind)!. Section 53, and pages 2, 2!.q and 2!.o at http://www!.ezy-build!.net!.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself!." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective!.
Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing!. (1!.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer!. (2!.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient!. (3!.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds!. (4!.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out!. (5!.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out!. (6!.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds!. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose!. (7!.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds!. (8!.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes!. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense!.
Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge!. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread!. (The following is a variant of EMDR therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, insomnia, and anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective!. It is currently the subject of much study by neuroscientists, to discover how it works!. Don't dismiss it, merely because it seems a little strange: give it a tryout!)!. Prior to using either of the methods in the above paragraph, or using it on its own, first sit comfortably, and take a deep breath!.
Then, without moving your head, move your eyes from the left, to the right, and back again, taking around a second to do so (say: a thousand and one: this takes approximately a second)!. Repeat this procedure (without the words, although you can count, subvocally if you like) 20 times!. Then close your eyes and relax!. Become aware of any tension or discomfort you feel!. Then open your eyes, and take another deep breath, and repeat step one, closing your eyes, and relaxing afterwards, in the same manner!. Then, repeat the procedure one last time!. Some people may find that this is all they need do!. With experience, you may find that you can practise this in public, with your eyes closed, which greatly widens the window of opportunity for its use, and avoids attracting unwanted attention!.
It may also help to minimise, or eliminate sugar, and caffeine products from your life!. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey, because these will reduce "sugar spikes", which later deplete you of energy!. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar!. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit!. Agoraphobia is addressed in section 27, at ezy build!. Can you, or someone else stay with her, for the first few times of getting on the bus, at least, until she feels confident, and practised enough to try it on her own, or with someone keeping watch, from a distance, in case help is needed!? Let her proceed at her own pace: encourage, but don't push, or criticise!.Www@Answer-Health@Com