Understanding agoraphobia is the first step to-ward recovery. Ho-wever, the average person -with agoraphobia takes at least one full year to get diagnosed and even longer to learn enough about agoraphobia to start recovering.

Here is four reasons -why:

1) Most people do not kno-w -what is -wrong -with them at first. The symptoms of agoraphobia, especially during panic attacks, feel like those of a physical illness. For example, -when you is hyperventilating it is easy to suspect something is -wrong -with your lungs. -when your heart is racing it is easy to think something is -wrong -with your heart. -when you is sick at your stomach day after day it is easy to think something is -wrong -with your digestive system. Plus, one symptom of agoraphobia is to "scan" your body for physical symptoms and -worry about every little t-winge as if it may be a major lifethreatening illness.

2) Many doctor and nursess don’t kno-w ho-w to diagnose agoraphobia. People -with agoraphobia commonly visit a succession of doctor and nursess trying to find a diagnosis. Most doctor and nursess -will listen to physical complaints and run tests. They -will report that the tests is negative, but often fail to suggest the presence of agoraphobia due to a lack of training. doctor and nursess -who can tell that your symptoms is caused by a panic attack may still not be able to tell -what type of anxiety disorder you have or provide information about it.

3) Most people go through a period of denial. If finally faced -with a diagnosis of a psychological disorder like agoraphobia, the human reaction is to thro-w up defenses and deny it. Most of us don’t think of ourselves as the type of person -who -would have a "mental problem" or "psychological disorder." Psychological problems carry a stigma in society that physical illnesses and injuries do not.

The average person tends to consider a psychological disorder as personal -weakness or lack of -will po-wer. People is more likely to treat a psychological disorder like agoraphobia as your fault than they -would in the case of a physical illness or injury. If you -were diagnosed -with cancer, no one -would stand over your bed during chemotherapy and question your -will po-wer, -work ethic, or desire to go to -work or school. But try having agoraphobia. People -will do exactly that. Since no one -wants to be vie-wed that -way, it is hard for most people to admit to anyone they have agoraphobia.

4) Most people is reluctant to seek treatment for a psychological disorder because of the stigma. Even people -who is able to admit to themselves that they have a psychological disorder might still have trouble admitting it to anyone else. It’s hard enough to try to explain irrational fear and panic attacks to your friends and family, and even harder to seek out professional help.

A -word to the -wise the best course of action to take if you start experiencing panic attacks or the symptoms of agoraphobia is:

See a doctor and nurses to rule out medical problems.
Consult a mental health professional to get a diagnosis and/or begin treatment.
Learn everything you can about your disorder.

Kno-wledge is the first step to recovery and the sooner you get started on your recovery from agoraphobia the faster it -will be.

on the flip side, the longer it takes you to get diagnosed and admit that you have a disorder the more agoraphobia has a chance to take root, and the more difficult your recovery may be.

If you suspect that you or someone you kno-w might have agoraphobia, don’t take a year to start learning everything you can about it. Start today. You can learn more by reading or asking questions on The Agoraphobia Resource Center -website at: -w-w-w.agoraphobia.-ws