Ayurvedic Management of Agoraphobia

Abstract

Agoraphobia is a kind of anxiety disorder which characteristically involves panic attacks and moments of extreme fear in a stressful situation. It is considered one of the complications of panic disorder. People affected by Agoraphobia often exhibit panic attack-like symptoms – such as nausea and rapid heartbeat – whenever they are in a distressing or worrying situation. Agoraphobia can have an adverse effect on the daily activities of the sufferers. The disorder can be managed safely with the help of some beneficial herbal products available from Planet Ayurveda herbal manufacturing company.

Agoraphobia: Overview

Agoraphobia is a rare and serious anxiety disorder in which affected individuals fear situations or places that can potentially trigger a panic attack. These situations or places – actual or anticipated – may include use of public transport, being in enclosed spaces or in a crowd, being in large open areas, etc. Agoraphobia patients feel panicky, helpless, entrapped, scared, or embarrassed in such situations/places, and try to avoid them.

Agoraphobia generally develops as an anxiety disorder after an individual has suffered one or more panic attacks. Due to the previous occurrence of a panic attack, Agoraphobia patients are afraid of experiencing another panic attack in case they are in a situation or place which can arouse the feeling of anxiety or fear. In some cases, the fear can be so overpowering that Agoraphobia patients may not be able to leave their house alone, and may often require a companion while going out.

Agoraphobia can affect both men and women. However, the risk of developing the disorder is comparatively higher in women than in men. This anxiety disorder commonly affects children in their late teenage years, as well as young adults below 35 years of age. However, older adults may also sometimes develop the disorder.

Agoraphobia: Causes

The exact cause of Agoraphobia is not clearly known to the doctors. Nonetheless, some of the perceived causes of the disorder are:

• History of panic attacks
• Genetic factors
• Depression
• Environmental stress
• Alcohol consumption
• Drug abuse
• Traumatic events (such as physical abuse or the death of a family member)
• Other phobias (such as social phobia or claustrophobia)
• Other mental health conditions (including other anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder).

Agoraphobia: Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms of Agoraphobia are:

• Fear of open spaces (like malls, bridges, and parking areas)
• Fear of enclosed spaces (like elevators, cinema halls, or congested areas)
• Fear of large crowds
• Fear of waiting in a queue for a long time
• Fear of venturing out of the house alone
• Fear of travelling by train, bus, plane or other means of transport
• Rapid heartbeat
• Trembling and choking
• Chest pain
• Detachment from other people
• Anxious and agitated behavior.

In severe cases, the symptoms of Agoraphobia may intensify the feeling of fear and anxiety in the patients. Due to the heightened fear, the patients may find it difficult to lead a normal life and undertake activities like going to a bank or a shopping mall. They may also feel scared while going to school or workplace, visit relatives or friends, or attend social functions. Hence, with the increasing severity of the disorder, the patients generally prefer to stay at home for prolonged periods of time.

Agoraphobia: Treatment

The treatment of Agoraphobia is chiefly aimed at confronting the fears which are associated with the disorder. Some common treatments include psychological therapies (like relaxation therapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), talk therapy, self-help techniques to handle panic attacks, lifestyle and dietary changes, and medications like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are helpful in managing anxiety and depression.

Planet Ayurveda offers the following herbal products for the natural management of Agoraphobia:

1. Arjun Tea

Arjun tea is an immensely beneficial herbal product which is considered an effective heart care herbal supplement. The preparation of this product involves the use of the bark of Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna), together with a number of other widely-known herbs such as Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Dalchini (Cinnamon tamala), Chhoti elaichi (Elettaria cardamom), and Pipal tvak (Ficus religiosa).

The symptoms of Agoraphobia can be effectively managed with the consumption of Arjun tea because of the combined ability of the herbal components to relieve anxiety, treat hypertension, strengthen the heart muscles and the arterial system, control blood pressure, and manage cardiovascular disorders.

Dosage: 2 cups of Arjun tea, two times a day.

2. Brahmi Capsules

Standardized extracts of Brahmi herb (Bacopa Monnieri) are used for preparing these capsules. The herb has immense therapeutic value, and is widely known in Ayurveda as a memory enhancer, aphrodisiac, and health tonic.

The use of these capsules is beneficial for managing Agoraphobia because of the ability of Brahmi herb to promote mental health, reduce stress and anxiety, strengthen the immune system, regulate blood pressure, relieve inflammatory conditions, and eliminate free radicals from the body.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules, two times a day.

3. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are prepared from standardized extract of the extremely potent Ashwagandha herb (Withania somnifera), which is known for its immense medicinal significance, particularly its anti-inflammatory properties.

People affected by Agoraphobia can benefit from the use of these capsules because Ashwagandha herb can improve brain function, support nerve functions, alleviate anxiety, reduce stress and hypertension, improve overall mental health, manage inflammation, boost the immune system, promote heart health, and balance the Vata and Pitta doshas of the body.

Dosage: 2 capsules, two times a day with plain water after meals.

4. Stress Support Capsules

These capsules are prepared from a combination of some potent herbs which can promote mental health. The herbs include Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Tagar (Valeriana wallichii), and Jatamansi (Nordostachyes jatamansi).

The use of these capsules is beneficial for the patients suffering from Agoraphobia because of the ability of the herbal ingredients to relieve stress and anxiety, treat depression, manage disorders of the nervous system, control blood pressure, soothe the nerves, enhance mental capabilities, improve retention, and pacify the Vata dosha.

Dosage: 1-2 capsules, two times a day with plain water after meals.

Conclusion

The use of Planet Ayurveda’s herbal products is beneficial for managing the symptoms of Agoraphobia in a safe and natural manner. The products are prepared from 100% pure herbs; and do not contain any chemicals, preservatives, additives, fillers, binders, or artificial colors. However, it is advised that patients suffering from Agoraphobia should use these herbal products under the guidance of an expert Ayurveda practitioner.