BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAgoraphobiaAnxiety disorder - agoraphobiaAgoraphobia 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. 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.Panic attackPanic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will happen.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Staying in the house for long periodsPhysical symptoms can include:Chest pain or discomfort Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Choking Dizziness or fainting DizzinessDizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea or other stomach distress Racing heart Short of breath Short of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sweating SweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TremblingTremblingA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Panic disorderPanic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will happen.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican 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, 2022AllVideoImagesTogPanic disorder with agoraphobia - illustration Panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unpredictable attacks of intense fear and anxiety. Agoraphobia, literally fear of the marketplace, develops from a panic disorder in more than one-third of cases.Panic disorder with agoraphobiaillustrationPanic disorder with agoraphobia - illustration Panic disorder is characterized by repeated and unpredictable attacks of intense fear and anxiety. Agoraphobia, literally fear of the marketplace, develops from a panic disorder in more than one-third of cases.Panic disorder with agoraphobiaillustrationRelated Information Panic disorder(Condition) 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. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
AgoraphobiaAnxiety disorder - agoraphobiaAgoraphobia 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. 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.Panic attackPanic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will happen.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 AgitationAgitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal. An agitated person may feel stirred up, excited, tense, confused, or irritable.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Staying in the house for long periodsPhysical symptoms can include:Chest pain or discomfort Chest painChest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Choking Dizziness or fainting DizzinessDizziness is a term that is often used to describe 2 different symptoms: lightheadedness and vertigo. Lightheadedness is a feeling that you might fai...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article FaintingFainting is a brief loss of consciousness due to a drop in blood flow to the brain. The episode most often lasts less than a couple of minutes and y...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Nausea or other stomach distress Racing heart Short of breath Short of breathBreathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathing Uncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough airImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sweating SweatingSweating is the release of liquid from the body's sweat glands. This liquid contains salt. This process is also called perspiration. Sweating helps...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article TremblingTremblingA tremor is a type of shaking movement. A tremor is most often noticed in the hands and arms. It may affect any body part, including the head, tong...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Panic disorderPanic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you have repeated attacks of intense fear that something bad will happen.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican 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