Elle magazine explores the impact of quarantine on women who suffer from agoraphobia:  is it easier to stay at home?  Are there concerns about backsliding and losing ground?  What will it be like to reopen?  Dr. Karen Cassiday was interviewed as one of the experts.  From the article:

“[Dr. Cassiday has] already noticed what were previously ‘little twinges’ of agoraphobia ‘firing up’ in patients whose symptoms don’t rise to the level of a diagnosis… among the mental health professionals [spoken] to, there wasn’t a consensus on whether quarantine would lead to a spike in the disorder. But they did agree on the efficacy of treatment and expressed confidence in their ability to help agoraphobic patients through this especially difficult time.”

Fortunately, advances in telehealth have made it possible for sufferers to receive professional help from home even in the midst of quarantine conditions.  Therapy that began before lockdowns occurred can continue; for those whose symptoms have recently appeared or increased to the point of needing a professional, support is available.

 

This post is for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose mental health issues or serve as a treatment plan.  It is for the general public and not directed at any one person.