廣場恐懼症(二)

今期繼續為大家探討廣場恐懼症的相關資科。

有些病人除了患有廣場恐懼症外，同時也患上恐慌症。恐慌症是焦慮症的一種，患者會在數分鐘內突然感到恐慌侵襲，並達致高峰點，患者會完全失去控制、導致心臟病發，甚至死亡。

普遍患上廣場恐懼症的病人都十分年青，一般在三十五歲前病發，但亦有部份屬較為年長者，當中以女性患者居多。除了恐慌症或其它恐懼症外，廣場恐懼症的患者傾向有以下情況，包括緊張、焦慮、生活曾受到重大壓力，例如受到虐待、父母死亡或曾受襲擊，以及患者有家族病史等。

還有，廣場恐懼症患者可以有下列情況：
• 抑鬱症
• 其他的精神疾病，包括其它恐慌症及焦慮症
• 濫用酒精或藥物試圖應付恐懼、內疚、無助、被孤立及孤獨的感覺

以下是典型的廣場恐懼症症狀，包括：
• 害怕任何獨處的環境
• 害怕擠擁的地方
• 害怕在公共場所失控
• 害怕難以逃離的地方，如電梯或火車內
• 無法離開住所(足不出戶)，或只能在別人陪同下離開
• 感到無助
• 過度依賴他人

此外，患者在病發時會出現以下徵兆及症狀：
• 心跳加速
• 過度出汗
• 呼吸困難
• 感到搖晃、呆滯或刺痛
• 胸口痛或感到胸口受壓
• 頭昏或眩暈
• 突然發熱或發冷
• 胃部不適或腹瀉
• 感覺失控
• 害怕死亡

確診時，醫生會根據病人的病徵及症狀，以及與病人的詳細面談以確定他們的情況。另外，亦會進行身體檢查以排除其他疾病的可能性。最後，要確診為「廣場恐懼症」患者，必須符合由美國精神病學協會出版的精神障礙（DSM-5）統計手冊列出的標準，而這是精神科醫生作為診斷的手冊。

Some people have a panic disorder in addition to agoraphobia. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you experience sudden attacks of extreme fear that reach a peak within a few minutes and trigger intense physical symptoms (panic attacks). You might think that you’re totally losing control, having a heart attack or even dying.
Agoraphobia usually starts before age 35, but older adults also can develop it. Women are diagnosed with agoraphobia more often than men are.
In addition to having panic disorder or other phobias, agoraphobia risk factors include having a tendency to be nervous or anxious; experiencing stressful life events, such as abuse, the death of a parent or being attacked; having a family history of agoraphobia.
Agoraphobia can also lead to or be associated with:
• Depression
• Other mental health disorders, including other phobias and other anxiety disorders
• Alcohol or drug misuse to try to cope with the fear, guilt, hopelessness, isolation and loneliness
Typical agoraphobia symptoms include:
• Fear of being alone in any situation
• Fear of being in crowded places
• Fear of losing control in a public place
• Fear of being in places where it may be hard to leave, such as an elevator or train
• Inability to leave your home (housebound) or only able to leave it if someone else goes with you
• Sense of helplessness
• Overdependence on others
In addition, you may have signs and symptoms of a panic attack, such as:
• Rapid heart rate
• Excessive sweating
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling shaky, numb or tingling
• Chest pain or pressure
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Sudden flushing or chills
• Upset stomach or diarrhea
• Feeling a loss of control
• Fear of dying
Agoraphobia is diagnosed based on signs and symptoms, as well as an in-depth interview with your health care provider. You may also have a physical exam to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. To be diagnosed with agoraphobia, you must meet criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association. This manual is used by mental health providers to diagnose mental conditions.