Editing Agoraphobia (section)

=== Alternative medicine ===
[[Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing]] (EMDR) has been studied as a possible treatment for agoraphobia, with poor results.<ref>
{{cite journal |author1=Goldstein, Alan J. |author2=de Beurs, Edwin |author3=Chambless, Dianne L. |author4=Wilson, Kimberly A. | title = EMDR for Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia : Comparison With Waiting List and Credible Attention-Placebo Control Conditions | journal = Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology | volume = 68 | issue = 6 | pages = 947–957 | year = 2000 | doi = 10.1037/0022-006X.68.6.947 |pmid=11142547 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.527.315 }}</ref> As such, EMDR is only recommended in cases where cognitive-behavioral approaches have proven ineffective or in cases where agoraphobia has developed following trauma.<ref>{{cite web| last= Agoraphobia Resource Center| title= Agoraphobia treatments—Eye movement desensitization and reprogramming| url= http://www.agoraphobia.ws/treatment-emdr.htm| access-date= 2008-04-18| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080405230027/http://www.agoraphobia.ws/treatment-emdr.htm| archive-date= 5 April 2008| url-status=dead}}
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Many people with anxiety disorders benefit from joining a [[self-help]] or [[support group]] (telephone conference-call support groups or online support groups being of particular help for completely housebound individuals). Sharing problems and achievements with others, as well as sharing various self-help tools, are common activities in these groups. In particular, stress management techniques and various kinds of meditation practices and visualization techniques can help people with anxiety disorders calm themselves and may enhance the effects of therapy, as can service to others, which can distract from the self-absorption that tends to go with anxiety problems. Also, preliminary evidence suggests [[aerobic exercise]] may have a calming effect. Since caffeine, certain illicit drugs, and even some over-the-counter cold medications can aggravate the symptoms of anxiety disorders, they should be avoided.<ref>{{cite web |last  = National Institute of Mental Health |title  = How to get help for anxiety disorders |url  = http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/how-to-get-help-for-anxiety-disorders.shtml |access-date  = 2008-04-18 |url-status  = dead |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20080704192950/http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/how-to-get-help-for-anxiety-disorders.shtml |archive-date  = 2008-07-04 }}</ref>