Answers to 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions

Can Agoraphobia be Cured?

The most frequently asked question for people suffering from agoraphobia is:

"Can agoraphobia be cured?"

This question gets emailed to me all the time, and comes in many forms:

"Is recovery from agoraphobia possible?"

"Will I ever be able to completely get over it?"

"Will I ever lead a normal life again?"

However you ask it, the answer to this question is YES! Agoraphobia can be completely and permanently cured. You can get completely over it and live a normal life again.

Here are 4 good reasons I am 100% sure that complete and total recovery from agoraphobia is possible:

1) Because phobias like agoraphobia are simply learned behaviors.

The good news about learned behaviors is that they can be unlearned. When you develop agoraphobia, your brain learns to associate fear with certain places and situations, even if you are not aware of it. This process is called conditioning. If your brain can be conditioned to fear certain places and situations that are not really dangerous, then it can also learn to react with relaxation or positive energy.

2) Because clinical studies have proven it.

Current studies suggest that 90% of people who practice cognitive-behavioral therapy for agoraphobia on a consistent basis either recover
completely or have a significant reduction of panic and anxiety. (The key word here is "consistent").

3) Because I recovered from agoraphobia myself.

The main reason I know that complete and permanent recovery from agoraphobia is possible is because I experienced it in my own life. There was a day when I couldn't walk out my front door without having a major panic attack. In fact there were days when I was confined mostly to my bed, hiding under the covers, shaking and hyperventilating.

Today I own and run my own business (I am a grant writing consultant), am able to speak in public, drive through a crowded city, fly across the
country, attend large events or shop in busy malls without having a panic attack.

When I first got agoraphobia, I didn't even know what was wrong with me. I didn't have any special knowledge of psychology. All I did was faithfully practice techniques that anyone can practice over a period of time.

4) Because I have witnessed the recovery of others who were as bad off as I was.

Today, I lead an anxiety support group in my hometown of Fresno, California. I also consult with people with agoraphobia from all over the
world by telephone. I am fortunate to have the great joy of seeing others overcome agoraphobia in their lives, too.

Hopefully this message will bring you hope. Especially if you feel like you will never get better and live in fear forever.

Take it from someone who knows. No matter how bad you have agoraphobia, there IS hope for a better life.