AGORAPHOBIA
                     AGORAPHOBIA
CA USES,  SY MPTONS & TREATM ENT.
Introduction
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you 
fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to 
panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. 
You fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using 
public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, 
standing in line, or being in a crowd.
The anxiety is caused by fear that there's no easy way to 
escape or get help if the anxiety intensifies. Most people 
who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more 
panic attacks, causing them to worry about having another 
attack and avoid the places where it may happen again.
SYMPTOMS
Typical agoraphobia symptoms 
include fear of:
Leaving home alone
Crowds or waiting in line
Enclosed spaces, such as movie 
theaters, elevators or small stores
Open spaces, such as parking lots, 
bridges or malls
Using public transportation, such as a 
bus, plane or train
These situations cause anxiety because 
you fear you won't be able to escape or 
find help if you start to feel panicked 
or have other disabling or 
embarrassing symptoms.
SYMPTOMS
 In addition:
Fear or anxiety almost always results from exposure to the 
situation
Your fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger 
of the situation
You avoid the situation, you need a companion to go with 
you, or you endure the situation but are extremely distressed
You experience significant distress or problems with social 
situations, work or other areas in your life because of the 
fear, anxiety or avoidance
Your phobia and avoidance usually lasts six months or longer
CAUSES
It is not clear what causes 
agoraphobia. However, it is 
often associated with an 
existing panic disorder. 
Panic disorder causes short, 
intense attacks of fear for no 
particular reason. About a 
third of people who have 
panic disorder develop 
agoraphobia. But 
agoraphobia also can occur 
alone.
CAUSES
Doctors aren't sure what causes agoraphobia. They 
think it runs in families. You may get it if you have 
a lot of panic attacks. That's when you have bursts 
of fear that come out of the blue and last for a few 
minutes. These happen when there's no real 
danger.
Less than 1% of people in the U.S. have 
agoraphobia. Women are two to three times more 
likely to have it than men, and it's more common in 
teenagers and young adults.
TREATMENTS
If you think you have agoraphobia, and 
the anxiety is interfering with your 
daily life, you should talk to a primary 
care provider or psychiatrist. If you are 
afraid to visit a medical office in 
person, you may be able to schedule a 
telephone or video appointment.
The healthcare provider may ask you:
Do you get stressed about leaving your 
house?
Are there any places or situations you 
avoid because you’re afraid? Why are 
you afraid?
Do you rely on others to do your 
shopping and errands?
TREATMENTS
Your healthcare provider also may suggest 
medications called selective serotonin reuptake 
inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine 
reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Those medications can 
treat depression and anxiety disorders.
You can manage agoraphobia with lifestyle changes:
Avoid alcohol, drugs and caffeine (coffee, tea and 
soda, for example).
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet.
Exercise regularly.
Practice breathing exercises.
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