What Is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia—derived from the Latin “fear of the marketplace”—is a type of anxiety disorder. It arises from an acute, persistent fear of being somewhere that’s difficult or impossible to escape from or of experiencing an embarrassing event in a public place. Many people with agoraphobia fear simply leaving home. About 1.3% of U.S. adults experience agoraphobia at some point. According to The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), agoraphobia is frequently diagnosed along with panic and other anxiety disorders.
Agoraphobia Symptoms and Signs
Agoraphobia can look and feel like other forms of anxiety and panic attacks. DSM-V outlines the specific symptoms and signs that differentiate it from these other conditions.
Symptoms
Those who have agoraphobia may fear experiencing something embarrassing in public, such as a panic attack itself, a fall, or incontinence, and they may avoid crowded or public places. Other symptoms include:
Feeling hotShortness of breathNauseaFaintnessChest painDizzinessTrouble swallowingFear of leaving homeAnxiety and nervousness
Signs
If you’re with a person who has agoraphobia, you might notice these signs:
Rapid heart rate Trembling Fast breathing Other physical signs of anxiety or panic attacks
Diagnosis
Agoraphobia is often misunderstood as being primarily a problem in which people are afraid to leave their houses, but it can extend to other situations. According to DSM-V, people with agoraphobia have a “marked fear” about two or more of the following scenarios:
Public transportationOpen spacesEnclosed spaces (such as stores)Standing in line or being in a crowdBeing outside the home by themselves
The diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia stipulate that the person’s anxious feelings must be disproportionate to or inappropriate for the situation—an irrational fear. In addition, the symptoms must persist at least six months. Avoidant behavior is another part of the diagnostic picture. A person with avoidant behavior steers clear of the object or situation they fear as well as anything they associate with that fear. Living with restrictions on what they do, where they go, and who they interact with are common for someone experiencing agoraphobia and severely impedes their ability to live a productive, active life.
A Word From Verywell
Not all phobias need treatment. But if a phobia affects your daily life, therapies are available to help you overcome your fears—often permanently. It’s important to address other mental health effects produced by agoraphobia, too. For example, be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Remember that you deserve to feel comfortable performing your everyday activities without disruption. If you experience agoraphobia or related symptoms, express your concerns promptly to a healthcare professional.
Having another anxiety disorder or phobiaA family history of agoraphobiaAbuse or traumaBrain chemistryLearned associations
In addition, experiencing a panic attack in a certain situation or setting can lead to a fear that it will recur in the future.
