Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Severe Agoraphobia
Question: Hi I suffer from agrophobia,and have for many years,it has over the last 6mths got worse,i am unable to leave the house,i have tried many medications,and counsellors etc.but feeling a the moment very lost.i have spoken to my gp and she want me to start back on some sort of medication but I am very not sure.i have tried many medications over the years and current one is valdoxan which is not working or helping.i am also just getting over many years of surgery to repair hernias,bowel resection and liver resection and lots of adhevison so I don't feel to confident to face the word.
Brief Answer:
Combination of Behavior therapy and medicines is best for agoraphobia
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your problem. You have been suffering from agoraphobia and are on Agomelatine for that.
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder and the disorder cause significant distress to individual. The disorder result in impairment to work and personal life. You developed the disorder after surgeries of hernias, bowel and liver resection. Valdoxan or Agomelatine can help in controlling symptoms of agoraphobia but this is not the first line treatment drug. A lot of medicines of SSRI drugs are commonly used in Agoraphobia. Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine etc are commonly used medicines for Agoraphobia. These medicines will help to reduce severe anxiety and will improve confidence. Medicines like Armodafinil, Modafinil can help to improve the confidence and you will feel better after taking these medicines. I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist and discuss about these medicines.
Counselling can help in agoraphobia but Behaviour Therapy is definitive treatment. In behaviour therapy systematic desensitisation coupled with relaxation exercises (Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Breathing Exercise etc) can help to reduce the symptoms of agoraphobia.
Combination of medicines with Behavioural methods is most effective in agoraphobia and have excellent results. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for detailed evaluation of your symptoms.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Combination of Behavior therapy and medicines is best for agoraphobia
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I can understand your problem. You have been suffering from agoraphobia and are on Agomelatine for that.
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder and the disorder cause significant distress to individual. The disorder result in impairment to work and personal life. You developed the disorder after surgeries of hernias, bowel and liver resection. Valdoxan or Agomelatine can help in controlling symptoms of agoraphobia but this is not the first line treatment drug. A lot of medicines of SSRI drugs are commonly used in Agoraphobia. Sertraline, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine etc are commonly used medicines for Agoraphobia. These medicines will help to reduce severe anxiety and will improve confidence. Medicines like Armodafinil, Modafinil can help to improve the confidence and you will feel better after taking these medicines. I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist and discuss about these medicines.
Counselling can help in agoraphobia but Behaviour Therapy is definitive treatment. In behaviour therapy systematic desensitisation coupled with relaxation exercises (Progressive Muscle Relaxation Exercise, Breathing Exercise etc) can help to reduce the symptoms of agoraphobia.
Combination of medicines with Behavioural methods is most effective in agoraphobia and have excellent results. I would advise you to consult a psychiatrist for detailed evaluation of your symptoms.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask again for more doubts.
Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
