Living with agoraphobia and depression

Agoraphobia and depression are both conditions quite close to my heart, a family member I love very dearly has been a sufferer for as long as I can remember and it seems to me that they are both conditions that are not very well understood. So here is my attempt to help people understand.

Agoraphobia: An anxiety disorder. It is often triggered by the fear of suffering a panic attack in a setting where there may be no easy means of escape. Because of this fear, sufferers avoid public and/or unfamiliar places, especially large, open, spaces where there are few 'places to hide'. In the severe cases, the sufferers become confined to his or her home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place"

Triggers for this anxiety disorder might include: wide open spaces, crowds, or traveling even the shortest of distances. The anxiety often comes from a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobia fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public. This condition is twice as common in women as it is in men. My experience is with men. Until a few months ago, my family member had only left the house for doctors appointments in three years. These trips meant, walking to the car, and then from the car to the doctors surgery, and visa versa to return home. It has only been the inspiration to begin a dream hobby that this individual has begun to leave the house on a weekly basis.

Causes of agoraphobia are as of yet unknown. It is however known to be linked to the presence of other anxiety disorders, a stressful environment or substance abuse. Chronic use of tranquilizers and sleeping pills have been linked to causing agoraphobia but there is no definitive proof.

Agoraphobia can be treated in many cases through a very gradual process of gradual exposure therapy combined with cognitive therapy and sometimes anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications

Depression: Depression is a serious illness, one that many people fail to understand, health professionals use the terms 'clinical depression or depressive illness' to describe it. It is very different from the common experience of feeling miserable or fed up for a short period of time.

Depression is common and around 15% of people will suffer from a bout of severe depression at some point in their life. Studies show that 2% of these individuals are teenagers. The precise number of people with depression is difficult to estimate because many people choose not to get help, or are not formally diagnosed with the condition. Women are twice as likely to suffer from depression as men, although it is men who are much more likely to commit suicide. This could be because men are more reluctant to seek help for depression.

Individuals with a family history of depression are often thought to be more likely to experience depression themselves. Depression can affect a sufferer in many ways and causes a variety of physical, psychological and social symptoms. In this day and age many people still think depression is not a real illness, they believe it is a form of weakness.

Depression is a real illness with real effects, and it is certainly not a sign of failure. It is quite the opposite, famous leaders such as Winston Churchill and Abraham Lincoln suffered with depression.

Psychological symptoms include:

• Tearfulness
  
• Feelings of guilt
• Continuous low mood
• Difficulty making decisions
• Lack of enjoyment
• Suicidal thoughts.
• Feeling anxious
• Loss of sex drive

Physical symptoms include:

• Slowed movement or speech
• Change in appetite or weight
• Constipation
• Lack of energy
• Unexplained aches and pains
• In women: changes to their menstrual cycle
• Disturbed sleep patterns

Social symptoms include:

• Reduced hobbies and interests
• Low performance in work.
• Taking part in fewer social activities and avoiding contact with friends
• Difficulties with family and home life.

Grief and depression share some of the same characteristics, but it is important to know that there are vital differences between them. Grief is an natural response to a loss, while depression is very much an illness.

If you suffer with depression, it is not your fault. Depression may be difficult to avoid, but there are certainly things you can learn to do to recognise your depression early so you can avoid becoming more severely ill. If your depression is caused by overworking, or is affecting your ability to do your job, you may need a little time off to recover. Although there is evidence that taking prolonged time off work can make depression worse and also there is quite a lot of evidence previously showing that going back to work can help you recover from depression.

There are various type of treatment depending on the severity of the depression:

• Mild depression: Exercise may be recommended, it has been known to benefit some individuals, your GP may think you improve and advise another assessment two weeks into the future. Talking through feelings may also be helpful to you. You may choose to talk to a friend or relative, or your GP may suggest a local self-help group.

• Moderate depression: Your GP may recommend a 'talking treatment' or prescribe an antidepressant.

• Severe depression: Your GP would recommend that you take an antidepressant, together with talking therapy. You could be referred to a mental health team. These teams are usually made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, specialist nurses and occupational therapists. These teams provide intensive specialist talking treatments, such as psychotherapy.

Hopefully this hub will help people notice conditions that may be staring them in the face whether it is you or someone you know.