Both panic disorder and agoraphobia affect millions of people worldwide. Maybe your one of them?
Although both disorders are primarily driven by social factors since they are stress related, there are still people in less developed social environments who still suffer from them.
Panic disorder is an intense feeling of overall nervousness that can bring on Immediate physical symptoms such as chest pain and a feeling of choking, or having the palms of your hands become sweaty as well as racing heart and or skipping heart beats. Panic disorder is brought on by manifestations in the persons mind of scary thoughts, stressful situations or places that make them feel uncomfortable.
It is also should be noted that there are certain foods, drugs and medicines that can trigger panic attacks in people. Specifically foods or drinks that contain stimulants such as caffeine in coffee and soda. Also smoking cigarettes, taking prescription drugs, or the use of illegal drugs and herbs like smoking pot, taking Methamphetamine, smoking crack, and other drugs can also cause people to have anxiety or panic attacks.
Agoraphobia can develop when fears of another panic attack limit the person from going to the same places where they may have experienced an anxiety or panic attack. The person can develop such powerful fears of having another unexpected panic attack that they will completely avoid the same places where they may have had a previous episode like a shopping mall, driving in a car, or visiting at a family member or friends house.
So what happens is the person can become withdrawn and introverted particularly if they have repeated episodes of a panic attack. The person will feel more comfortable by establishing what they consider to be their “safe zone” where they feel protected such as their own house or bedroom, living room or a place that brings them piece and tranquility in their mind.
Unfortunately panic disorder and agoraphobia can have a long standing compounding affect on the persons psychology and personality if they do not get treatment quickly.