Agoraphobia

Introduction: Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is often called "fear of open spaces" but this description is simplistic and misleading. Agoraphobia is like an unreasonable fear or anxiety associated with unfamiliar surroundings or situations, but this description also oversimplifies a complex issue.

In some cases, agoraphobia arises associated with panic attacks from panic disorder, and the fear of places or situations occurs when these were the triggers of the panic attacks. In other words, agoraphobia becomes like a "fear of having another panic attack" or a fear of anything or anywhere that might trigger a panic attack. A vicious cycle sets in where anxiety or fear of certain places or situations make a panic attack more likely to occur, which in turn raises the anxiety level.

Whatever its description, agoraphobia can be not only emotionally stressing, it can actually become debilitating, leading to a life of self-imposed isolation.

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

• Fear of crowds
• Fear of public transport
• Restriction to the home or neighbourhood
• Social isolation
• Unable to leave home alone

See full list of 6 symptoms of Agoraphobia

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Agoraphobia:

• Mental Health: Home Testing:
  • Home Emotional Stress Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about Agoraphobia

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Wrongly Diagnosed with Agoraphobia?

• Misdiagnosis of Agoraphobia
• Underlying causes of Agoraphobia (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Agoraphobia

Common asymptomatic heart disorder can cause anxiety-like conditions: Anxiety symptoms may be due to heart disorder - There is a reasonably common...read more »

Undiagnosed stroke leads to misdiagnosed aphasia: BBC News UK reported on a man who had been institutionalized and treated for mental illness because he suffered from sudden...read more »

Dementia may be a drug interaction: A common scenario in aged care is for a patient to show mental decline to dementia. Whereas this can, of course, occur due to various medical conditions, such as a stroke or ...read more »

ADHD under-diagnosed in adults: Although the over-diagnoses of ADHD in children is a well-known controversy, the reverse side related to adults. Some adults...read more »

Bipolar disorder misdiagosed as various conditions by primary physicians: Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder) often fails to be diagnosed...read more »

Eating disorders under-diagnosed in men: The typical patient with an eating disorder is female. The result is that men with eating disorders often fail to be diagnosed or have a delayed diagnosis. See misdiagnosis of...read more »

Depression undiagnosed in teenagers: Serious bouts of depression can be undiagnosed in teenagers. The "normal" moodiness of teenagers can cause severe medical depression to be overlooked. See misdiagnosis of depression or ...read more »

Undiagnosed anxiety disorders related to depression: Patients with depression (see symptoms of depression) may also have undiagnosed anxiety disorders (see symptoms of anxiety disorders). Failure to...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Agoraphobia

Causes of Agoraphobia

• Panic disorder
• Panic disorder with agoraphobia (type of Panic disorder)

Read more about causes of Agoraphobia

More information about causes of Agoraphobia:

• Underlying causes of Agoraphobia
• Agoraphobia as a complication caused by other conditions
• Agoraphobia as a symptom

Treatments for Agoraphobia

• Psychotherapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Breathing exercises
  • Interoceptive exposure

See full list of 7 treatments for Agoraphobia

Videos for Agoraphobia

Patient Surveys for Agoraphobia

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Agoraphobia
  Take Survey  View Results

Reseach about Agoraphobia

Visit our research pages for current research about Agoraphobia treatments.

Clinical Trials for Agoraphobia

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Agoraphobia include:

• Study of Virtual Reality Therapy and Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Pilot Study of Vestibular Rehabilitation Training for Panic Disorder With Vestibular Dysfunction - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Can Thought Field Therapy (TFT) Be Helpful for Patients With an Anxiety Disorder? - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Sertraline in Generalized Social Phobia With Co-Occurring Anxiety and Mood Disorders - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Sertraline
• Treatment of Panic Disorder: Long Term Strategies - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Paroxetine or other medication - algorithm used

See full list of 7 Clinical Trials for Agoraphobia

Statistics for Agoraphobia

• Medical statistics for Agoraphobia
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Agoraphobia
• Death and Mortality statistics for Agoraphobia
• Society statistics for Agoraphobia

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Agoraphobia

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Agoraphobia

See all guides and ebooks for Agoraphobia

Stories from Users Related to Agoraphobia

• agoraphobia/panic disorder
• living with immense fear, practically lost will to live
• Lightheaded/Spaced out
• Fearful!!
• Fear of being watched.
• be open minded
• Fearful !
• Fearful!!
• Agoraphobia
• Fearful!!
• open sternum
• open sores not healing?
• Fear about hiv
• open pores
• Fearful!!
• Are You sure of having Schizophrenia! Do not despair. Here is my case which will open

Related forums and stories:

• Mental Conditions (106)
  • Caterpillar Phobia
  • Am I Anorexic?
  • Antisocial personality disorder?
  • I've been depressed for some time now but...
  • I don't know what this could be
  • More user stories

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Agoraphobia, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Agoraphobia

Panic Disorder: NWHIC (Excerpt)

Some people’s lives become greatly restricted -- they avoid normal everyday activities such as grocery shopping, driving, or, in some cases, even leaving the house. Or they may be able to confront a feared situation only if accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person. Basically, they avoid any situation they fear that would make them feel helpless if a panic attack occurs. When people’s lives become so restricted by the disorder, as happens in about one-third of all people with panic disorder, the condition is called agoraphobia. (Source: excerpt from Panic Disorder: NWHIC)

Phobia: NWHIC (Excerpt)

And agoraphobia, which often accompanies panic disorder, is a fear of being in any situation that might provoke a panic attack, or from which escape might be difficult if one occurred. (Source: excerpt from Phobia: NWHIC)

Definitions of Agoraphobia:

A morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place) - (Source - WordNet 2.1)