Health Encyclopedia

Agoraphobia

Definition

Agoraphobia is an intense fear and anxiety of being in places where it is hard to escape, or where help might not be available. Agoraphobia usually involves fear of crowds, bridges, or being outside alone.

Alternative Names

Anxiety disorder - agoraphobia

Causes

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. The exact cause of agoraphobia is unknown. Agoraphobia sometimes occurs when a person has had a panic attack and begins to fear situations that might lead to another panic attack.

Symptoms

With agoraphobia, you avoid places or situations because you do not feel safe in public places. The fear is worse when the place is crowded.

Symptoms of agoraphobia include:

Being afraid of spending time alone
Being afraid of places where escape might be hard
Being afraid of losing control in a public place
Depending on others
Feeling detached or separated from others
Feeling helpless
Feeling that the body is not real
Feeling that the environment is not real
Having an unusual temper or agitation
Staying in the house for long periods

Physical symptoms can include:

Chest pain or discomfort
Choking
Dizziness or fainting
Nausea or other stomach distress
Racing heart
Short of breath
Sweating
Trembling

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will look at your history of agoraphobia and will get a description of the behavior from you, your family, or friends.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to help you feel and function better. The success of treatment usually depends in part on how severe the agoraphobia is. Treatment most often combines talk therapy with a medicine. Certain medicines, often also used to treat depression, may be helpful for this disorder. They work by preventing your symptoms or making them less severe. You must take these medicines every day. DO NOT stop taking them or change the dosage without talking with your provider.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are most often the first choice of antidepressant.
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are another choice.

Other medicines used to treat depression or medicines used to treat seizures may also be tried.

Medicines called sedatives or hypnotics may also be prescribed.

These medicines should only be taken under a health care provider's direction.
Your provider will prescribe a limited amount of these drugs. They should not to be used every day.
They may be used when symptoms become very severe or when you are about to be exposed to something that always brings on your symptoms.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy. It involves 10 to 20 visits with a mental health professional over several weeks. CBT helps you change the thoughts that cause your condition. It may involve:

Understanding and controlling distorted feelings or views of stressful events or situations
Learning stress management and relaxation techniques
Relaxing, then imagining the things that cause the anxiety, working from the least fearful to the most fearful (called systematic desensitization and exposure therapy)

You may also be slowly exposed to the real-life situation that causes the fear to help you overcome it.

A healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, getting enough rest, and good nutrition can also be helpful.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of having agoraphobia by joining a support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Support groups are usually not a good substitute for talk therapy or taking medicine, but can be a helpful addition.

See below for more information and support for people with agoraphobia:

Anxiety and Depression Association of America -- adaa.org/supportgroups

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most people can get better with medicines and CBT. Without early and effective help, the disorder may become harder to treat.

Possible Complications

Some people with agoraphobia may:

Use alcohol or other drugs while trying to self-medicate.
Be unable to function at work or in social situations.
Feel isolated, lonely, depressed, or suicidal.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call for an appointment with your provider if you have symptoms of agoraphobia.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.

You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.

If someone you know has attempted suicide, call 911 or the local emergency number right away. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help.

Prevention

Early treatment of panic disorder can often prevent agoraphobia.

References

American Psychiatric Association. Anxiety disorders. In: American Psychiatric Association, ed. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013:189-234.

Gehl C, Paulsen JS. Behavior and personality disturbances. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 9.

Lyness JM. Psychiatric disorders in medical practice. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2020:chap 369.

National Institute of Mental Health website. Anxiety disorders. www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/anxiety-disorders. Updated April 2022. Accessed August 9, 2022

Review Date:4/30/2022
Reviewed By:Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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