Posted by Larry Hoover on February 25, 2007, at 16:15:08 [reposted on February 26, 2007, at 12:04:17 | original URL]
In reply to Best Treatment For Agoraphobia, posted by Phillipa on February 25, 2007, at 15:23:52
> What is the best treatment for agoraphobia. Are you allowed to stay home one day or do you have to force yourelf to go out daily as I was told? Thanks Phillipa
IMHO, the best treatment is desensitization, i.e. a gradual challenge of the threshold that induces the phobic reaction. That threshold is not fixed, but can be pushed back, until it no longer restricts normal functioning.
I think the key is in mindfulness. You need to know what you can handle, and always keep one foot in the comfort zone, as you extend the other into the challenging zone. Try to do more and more, but it's not like you're going to blow everything if you take a day of "rest". You can still walk in your yard, or go sit in your car. There are safe places outside the home.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:736424
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070215/msgs/736427.html