Warning Signs of Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia isn't something that happens overnight. In fact, most of the signs of agoraphobia present themselves long before a full blown phobia sets in. In other instances, some sort of trauma may bring on this particular type of anxiety. If you notice the signs of agoraphobia in yourself or someone you love, you might want to consider taking action now, before the anxiety takes over completely.

Displays new fears. Panic disorders like agoraphobia don't usually start in such an extreme way. Agoraphobia causes the individual to avoid places, people and sometimes even objects. One sign that the current anxiety is headed down the road toward agoraphobia is when the individual starts developing fears about doing things that they normally would do. For instance, they might begin to panic at the mere thought of going to the grocery store when just a short while before that the grocery store was a routine stop.

Changes in habits to allow for more time at home. If your wife suddenly starts doing all of her shopping online, it might not be a big deal. She might just be enjoying the convenience of shopping from home. But, if you have a wife who rearranges her schedule and makes special provisions so that she doesn't have to leave the house, that's a different story.

Is easily made nervous. You might notice that anxiety sets in during times when you may think it's inappropriate. For you, standing in line is just another one of the small annoyances in life. For someone with agoraphobia or anxieties leading to agoraphobia, it's not just an annoyance, it's a physical trial. They may experience minor to severe panic attacks.

Avoids people. There have been times when I thought I was the perfect candidate for agoraphobia. The most obvious way I demonstrate this is by avoiding contact with people. I avoid phone calls and answering the door. At the height of those times of anxiety, when I really want to avoid people, having to be around them is a physically painful experience. I've never been the most social of people anyhow, but there's a difference between being a loner and having a panic disorder. When I notice the anxiety building in me when I'm around people, I know I have to take steps to combat the issue in order to prevent it from getting any worse.

Develops obsessive compulsive behavior. Every case of agoraphobia is different. Some people are made anxious by new situations. Some people develop a fear of things that is so acute that they begin to focus on even germs entering their comfort zone. The obsessive compulsive behavior allows them to feel in complete control of a situation. It's this control that lends them a feeling of safety. To you, it may not matter where the remote control sits. To them, keeping things where they want them offers a net of safety in their home.

Obviously, when someone refuses to leave their home for what is an abnormal period of time for them based on their past behaviors, it's likely that they have developed agoraphobia to some extent. The key is really to catch it before it gets that far. You can watch for the signs and try to help them or yourself using the methods that work best in your situation.