Characters with agoraphobia

 

Hello, friends!

Welcome to another post from the serie answering the question: how to write relatable and realistic characters suffering from mental disorders?

And today, we're going to have a look at AGORAPHOBIA.

AGORAPHOBIA is an anxiety disorder characterized by fearing and avoiding places or situations that might cause panic and feelings of helplessness or embarrassment. One can have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather and in locations that are not familiar.

It often includes:

• fear of using public transportation

• panic attacks

• fearing enclosed spaces

• having troubles being outside of their home alone

• feeling derealized 

• avoiding going out at all

• being scared of losing control in a public place

Why does one have agoraphobia?

The most typical causes for developing agoraphobia are:

• trauma or a stressful event

• previously existing panic disorder

Agoraphobia can affect an individual's life in many ways. Here are some of them:

• inability to hold a job

• damaging self-esteem and confidence 

• can lead to developing depression

• risk of getting into drugs to ease anxiety

• social isolation

• losing important people