AGORAPHOBIA

 

Agoraphobia involves marked fear or anxiety about two (or more) of the following five situations:

1. Using public transportation (e.g. cars, buses, trains, ships, planes)

2. Being in open places (e.g. car parks, marketplaces, bridges)

3. Being in enclosed places (e.g. shops, theatres, cinemas)

4. Standing in line or being in a crowd. 

5. Being outside of the home alone.

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Individuals fear or avoid these situations because of thoughts that escape might be difficult or help might not be available in the event of developing panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (e.g. fear of falling in the elderly; fear of incontinence).

People with agoraphobia actively avoid the situations that trigger the fear response, insist on having a companion accompany them or endure the situation/s with intense fear or anxiety. The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the situations.

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