Hello, I used to be shy going to public places till last year but it now turned into irritation when I enter crowded areas. Is this any kind of symptom to anything? Is there a way that I can overcome the fear of public places.

Ms. Juhi ParasharPsychologist4yrs exp

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Hi Mr. Lybrate-user, yes, it seems you have agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is a mental health condition characterized by irrational fears about being in public places. The condition causes afflicted individuals to avoid public places and remain trapped in their homes. Coping with your own agoraphobia involves facing up to the irrationality of the fearful thoughts it produces, and seeking help from others. While it may be very unpleasant, you should do your best to regularly expose yourself to the situations which trigger your fear and panic. In modern life, exposure to public places is inevitable, and the more you resist, the worse the consequences will be for your life. Don't go it alone. Having a trusted friend or family member with you when you are on the bus, at the store, or in any other triggering situation can be a great help. A therapist can help you explore" exposure therapy" in which you intentionally seek out situations which trigger your fear response. For an agoraphobe, this means voluntarily exposing yourself to crowds, public places, or wide open space. This must be done gradually, and with great care, so that the fear and panic do not become overwhelming, putting you or others in danger. It is best to consult with your therapist before attempting exposure therapy. Now, if you find yourself panicking in a public place, try to focus on controlling your breath instead of fixating on fearful or anxious thoughts. Breathing slowly and deeply will help naturally calm your body's physiological response to fear, reducing its severity. Close your eyes, count slowly to 10, and focus on breathing in through the mouth, and out through the nose. Visualize calming environments and images, and remind yourself that you are in no danger, and that the episode will pass lastly, challenge irrational thoughts. Many of the anxious and fearful thoughts associated with agoraphobia are irrational, meaning that they are not based in fact. Understanding this, you can work to correct your thoughts by challenging them with evidence. When you are in a situation which triggers your agoraphobia, ask yourself these questions: do facts or evidence support my fearful thinking, or are they irrational? if a frightening or dangerous situation occurs, what steps could I take to remain safe? what would I say to another agoraphobe to comfort them in this situation? have I felt this way before while in a similar situation, and, if so, were my fears warranted? consult with a psychologist sir, thats the best way to benefit and overcome the fear. Consult with me for same. A all the best. 

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