What is agoraphobia and how is it treated?

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of places or situations from which escape might be difficult or help unavailable. This often leads to avoiding public spaces and can be accompanied by panic attacks. The most common and effective forms of agoraphobia treatment are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy, which are among the various agoraphobia therapies we offer at our clinic in Toronto near Yonge & Eglinton. These approaches help you challenge your fears and gradually regain a sense of control.

What is the difference between panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia?

A panic attack is a sudden, intense feeling of fear with physical symptoms like a rapid heart rate or shortness of breath. Panic disorder is diagnosed when someone experiences recurrent, unexpected panic attacks and develops a persistent fear of having more. Agoraphobia often develops alongside panic disorder, as the fear of having another panic attack can lead to avoiding places or situations where an attack might occur. Our compassionate therapists in Toronto offer a range of effective agoraphobia therapies and agoraphobia treatment to help you understand and manage these interconnected challenges.

What kinds of concerns do you treat besides anxiety?

We offer a wide range of services to support your mental well-being beyond just anxiety. Our team is equipped to treat conditions like depression, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. We also help with family and life changes, personality disorders, and various other concerns such as perfectionism, grief, and stress management. While these are separate from agoraphobia treatment, our expertise in these areas informs our comprehensive approach to care at our Toronto clinic near Yonge & Eglinton.

Other Personality Disorders

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Paranoid personality disorder is characterized by a pattern of being suspicious of others. People with paranoid personality disorder often distrust others and perceive them as unfaithful or deceitful. These individuals may also be jealous, guarded, secretive, and appear to be serious or emotionally “cold”.

Symptoms of paranoid personality disorder can include:

Pervasive distrust of others and their motives
Unjustified belief that others are trying to harm or deceive them
Unjustified suspicion of the trustworthiness of others
Hesitancy to confide in others due to unreasonable fear that others will use information against you
Being quick to become angry
Perception of innocent remarks as personal insults or attacks
Angry or hostile reaction to perceived slights or insults
Tendency to hold grudges
Unjustified, recurrent suspicion that a spouse or partner is unfaithful

How is paranoid personality disorder treated?

Psychotherapy can help individuals learn how to reduce paranoia and cope with paranoid thoughts, as well as learn how to effectively communicate with others in social situations. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals to adjust distorted thoughts and feelings.

If you or someone you know is struggling with paranoid personality disorder, contact us to see how we can help.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

Schizoid personality disorder is characterized by being uninterested in close relationships and showing little emotion. Individuals with this disorder typically choose to be alone, do not care about praise or criticism from others, and are withdrawn and emotionally cold.

Symptoms of schizoid personality disorder may include:

A lack of interest in social or personal relationships
Preferring to be alone or working in solitary environments
Limited range of emotional expression
Inability to find pleasure in most activities
Difficulty picking up normal social cues
Being emotionally cold towards others
Little or no interest in sexual relationships
Difficulty expressing emotions
Unphased by praise or criticism
Having no close friends
Being preoccupied with introspection and fantasy

How is Schizoid Personality Disorder treated?

Psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals change thoughts regarding social situations and alter reluctance to participate in social relationships. Furthermore, psychotherapy can help an individual learn how to develop closer interpersonal relationships.

If you or someone you know is struggling with schizoid personality disorder, contact us to see how we can help.

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by having distorted thinking or uncommon thoughts. Additionally, individuals with schizotypal personality disorder often have difficulty forming relationships and experience social anxiety . They may also display signs of “magical thinking” and have outlandish beliefs.

Symptoms of schizotypal personality disorders may include:

Peculiar appearance, thinking, beliefs, speech, or behaviour
Odd perceptual experiences, like hearing a voice or whisper
Flat affect or inappropriate emotional responses
Social anxiety or discomfort with close relationships
Having few, if any, close relationships
Inappropriateness or suspicious responses towards others
Having significant distrust of others
“Magical thinking” like believing you can influence people or events with your thoughts or belief in special powers
Belief that certain casual events have hidden messages meant only for you

Schizotypal Personality Disorder vs. Schizophrenia

Individuals with schizotypal personality disorder rarely experience brief psychotic episodes containing hallucinations or delusions, however, if they are present, these episodes are not as frequent or intense as they are in schizophrenia. Additionally, individuals with schizotypal personality disorder can often be made aware of the difference between their distorted thoughts and reality, whereas an individual suffering with schizophrenia may not be able to do so.

How is schizotypal personality disorder treated?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals with schizotypal personality disorder identify and challenge paranoid or eccentric thought patterns and beliefs, as well as learn social skills. Additionally, family therapy may be beneficial to improve awareness and communication between the family of the individual.

If you or someone you know is struggling with schizotypal personality disorder, contact us to see how we can help.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

Antisocial personality disorder is a pervasive personality pattern in which individuals ignore normal rules of social behaviour. These individuals are often impulsive , and may have a disregard for others’ needs or feelings. Individuals with antisocial personality disorder are at an increased risk for involvement with the law or substance use disorders .

Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder include:

Disregard for others’ feelings
Persistent lying, stealing, or conning
Repeatedly violating others
Using charm to manipulate others
Problems with the law
Aggressive or violent behaviour
Disregard for the safety of others
Impulsive behaviour
Irresponsibility
Lack of remorse or empathy
Engaging in abusive relationships

Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often show symptoms of conduct disorder prior to age 15. Symptoms of conduct disorder can include:

Aggression towards people or animals
Destruction of property
Being deceitful
Theft
Violating rules

How is antisocial personality disorder treated?

Antisocial personality disorder is one of the hardest mental health concerns to treat as these individuals do not typically seek treatment on their own. Cognitive behavioural therapy is sometimes used to treat antisocial personality disorder as it can help individuals learn to control anger.

If you or someone you know is struggling with Antisocial Personality Disorder, contact us to see how we can help.

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Histrionic personality disorder is defined by excessive emotionality and attention seeking, as well as always wanting to be the center of attention. In individuals with histrionic personality disorder, self-esteem often depends on the approval of others.

Symptoms of histrionic personality disorder an include:

Constantly seeking attention
Being excessively emotional, dramatic, or provocative in order to gain attention
Speaking dramatically with strong opinions
Being easily influenced by others
Shallow and rapidly changing emotions
Excessive concern with physical appearance
Often thinking they have closer relationships than they actually do
Uncomfortable when not the center of attention
Acting very dramatically, like they are performing to an audience
Constantly seeking reassurance or approval
Impulsivity
Being self-centered and rarely showing concern for others
Difficulty maintaining relationships
Being easily influenced by others

How is histrionic personality disorder treated?

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help individuals uncover the fears associated with their thoughts and behaviour, as well as help them to learn to relate to others in a more positive way. Additionally, CBT and mindfulness can help individuals to think and act more calmly.

If you or someone you know is struggling with histrionic personality disorder, contact us to see how we can help.