Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder where a person fears and avoids places or situations in which they might not be able to escape or find help, causing them to feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. They often avoid these situations due to the fear of having a
panic attack
or experiencing other
anxiety
symptoms. Some individuals may have panic disorder
in addition to agoraphobia. Individuals with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public space.
Some common symptoms of agoraphobia include:
-
Fear of public transportation (e.g. bus, train, plane, car)
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Fear of being in open spaces (e.g. fields, parks, malls)
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Fear of being in enclosed spaces (e.g. elevators, tunnels, movie theaters)
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Fear of crowds or waiting in line
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Fear of leaving the house alone
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Needing a companion in a feared situation
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Avoiding feared situations
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The fear experienced is out of proportion to the situation
When faced with feared situations, individuals with agoraphobia will often have symptoms of a panic attack such as rapid heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, or sweating. The fear experienced can be so overwhelming that individuals may feel scared to leave their home, resulting in disruptions to social, work, and other domains of functioning.