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For those suffering from agoraphobia, going out in public places can be overwhelming, which makes going out for therapy or counseling difficult. When counseling is recommended for the treatment of agoraphobia, having the option of telehealth therapy can help. Telehealth therapy allows agoraphobia sufferers to get the help they need in the comfort and safety of their homes.

Understanding agoraphobia

Patients with agoraphobia all have one thing in common: Being in public spaces brings about extreme anxiety and fear. For some sufferers, it may mean being fearful of going to a specific public location, such as a grocery store or mall, and for others, it is a more generalized fear of any public place.

The condition can become so severe that it can lead to a person becoming housebound. The fear may be so extreme that the patient refuses to leave home and is unable to go to work or school. This can lead to severe social isolation and depression.

Getting therapy is vital

One of the goals of therapy for agoraphobia is to get the patient to the point where they can return to going to public places without suffering extreme anxiety. Since the goal is to encourage sufferers to feel safe going out, telehealth therapy may seem like it goes against that goal. However, knowing they can attend telehealth therapy sessions in the comfort of their home makes it more likely that an agoraphobia sufferer will get the help they need so they can return to a normal lifestyle.

Telehealth benefits

For a person who already has severe anxiety issues, traveling to a therapy appointment can feel daunting at best. All the normal stressors that trigger a non-sufferer to feel anxious, such as dealing with traffic and sitting in a waiting room at a clinic, are multiplied in someone with agoraphobia. Telehealth appointments are convenient, require no travel, and allow agoraphobia sufferers to attend a therapy session in the familiar environment of their home.

Telehealth therapy also makes it easier for the patient to return to a social setting when they feel ready, rather than being pushed into it to attend a counseling session. This can go a long way in easing anxiety and the stress they experience in public settings.

Fortunately, for those diagnosed with agoraphobia, there are treatment options available through telehealth that can make getting therapy less frightening. Knowing they do not have to go out to a clinical office for therapy can go a long way in easing the fear of being in public spaces.

Contact a professional to learn more about telehealth therapy appointments.