Agueda Gonzalez began experiencing panic attacks at 18, leading to severe agoraphobia where she could not be alone or leave home without help. Although anxiety disorders affect over 300 million globally, agoraphobia affects 1-1.7% of the population, with women being disproportionately impacted. The condition is misinterpreted as a fear of open spaces; rather, it's a fear of panic itself and the inability to escape dangerous situations. Therapist Ruben Casado explains that individuals often develop agoraphobia following traumatic panic experiences.
"A person with agoraphobia is afraid of a sensation and avoids places or situations from which it may be difficult to escape, or from which they may not be able to receive help."
"I started putting off doing things for fear of experiencing panic, and the more I reinforced the cycle, the more anxious I felt."
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