Agoraphobia is the irrational fear of being in places or situations in which a panic attack might occur with no help at hand and from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing. A panic attack is characterized by a feeling of overwhelming fear and a sense of impending doom.
What are the symptoms?
Physical symptoms such as nausea, sweating, palpitations and dizziness are common.
Agoraphobia is much more common in women than men and often begins in the late teens or early twenties. The condition may be chronic, lasting for years, and may increase and decline with some periods of complete remission. The severity can range from mild avoidance of distressing situations to the person becoming completely housebound, afraid to venture out at all.
Medications:
The commonest types of drugs used in the treatment of agoraphobia are the tranquillizers called benzodiazepines, of which "Valium" is probably the best known. In our opinion these should be used as a last resort and then only for the shortest time possible.
They are highly addictive and long term use may produce gradual intellectual impairment and personality changes. Although they may seem effective, the anxiety is really only being suppressed; it is just the symptoms that are relieved.
A better alternative would be to combine behavioral therapy with hypnosis, meditation and "natural tranquillizers".
A much better alternative to sedative drugs are the class of drugs known as the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). These drugs increase the levels of serotonin and prevent panic attacks.
Generally speaking the SSRI medications are not habit forming but even thought they might sound magnificent; they should never be taken without a doctor's evaluation and prescription.
Natural Tranquillizers:
Although they may take longer to work, these supplements will not cause side effects and will boost your feeling of general well-being. They are not addictive:
• Magnesium Complex: containing Magnesium Orotate, Aspartate, Chelate and Phosphate.
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 50 to 100 mg daily
• Vitamin B3 (in the form of niacinamide) 500 to 3000 mg daily
• Vitamin B6 50 mg daily, zinc 50 to 100 mg daily
• Phenylalanine 200 to 400 mg three times daily between meals.
