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Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is a fear of being in certain situations where escape might be difficult and help may be unavailable, should things go wrong in a public place. Agoraphobia is a complex condition and there is more to it than a simple fear of open spaces.

Typical indicators that you might be suffering with agoraphobia include a fear of leaving home alone, crowds or waiting in line or enclosed spaces such as lifts, cinemas, theatres or small shops and stores.

Around 40 percent of cases of agoraphobia are considered severe. In more serious cases, it can be extremely disabling and has a huge impact on every-day life. People with agoraphobia are often aware that their fear is irrational, but cannot do anything about it.

Symptoms of agoraphobia can include one or more of the following:

  • Rapid breathing and/or heartbeat
  • Feeling hot and sweaty
  • Sudden chills or hot flushing
  • Feeling sick, upset stomach or diarrhoea
  • Feeling a loss of control
  • A fear of dying
  • Light-headedness or dizziness
  • Feeling chest pains or pressure on the chest
  • Fear of being alone in any situation
  • A fear of losing control in a public place
  • Over-dependence on others
  • A sense of helplessness
  • A fear of crowded places

Treatments for agoraphobia

  1. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’- some patients report experiencing unpleasant side-effects
  2. CBT or relaxation therapy
  3. Psychotherapy

Cannabis medication for agoraphobia

Research shows that cannabis medication can be helpful to manage the issues of anxiety for many panic attack disorders, such as agoraphobia. Cannabis medication works by altering the way the patient’s mind reacts to anxiety-producing stimuli or situations. They can induce relaxation and help patients create new positive associations where there were previously negative ones. Cannabis medication acts as an anxiolytic (anxiety reducing drug) which helps to modulate defensive behaviours brought on by threatening stimuli. It is also said to be anti-aversive, meaning that it reduces aversion to stressful situations and is panic-reducing in its effect.

Am I suitable for cannabis medication for my agoraphobia at Integro Clinic?

The cause and symptoms of your specific phycological health issue with be assessed during a no obligation consultation and examination, here at Integro Medical Clinics. We can then create and recommend a suitable and effective management plan, which may include cannabis medicines as part of this plan.

When conventional treatments reach their limit, our work begins.

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