![]() Potential causes for agoraphobia can include: 4,6 Instead, several biological, social, and psychological factors are involved in the development of any mental health disorder, including agoraphobia. No singular cause for agoraphobia exists. The symptoms are not better explained by the symptoms of another mental health condition.The symptoms are not better described by another underlying medical issue.The fear or avoidance causes significant distress or keeps them from being able to function normally in one or more areas of life.The fear or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or longer.The fear is out of proportion to the actual possibility of danger.The listed situations are avoided, require help from a loved one, or are endured with a lot of anxiety and distress.The listed situations almost always cause fear or anxiety.Avoiding the above situations because the individual believes they may become stuck or help might be unavailable in the event that the individual begins to panic.Intense fear or anxiety prompted by the actual or predicted exposure to being in open areas, using public transportation, being in closed-off areas, standing in line or a crowd, or being alone outside of the house.The symptoms of agoraphobia can include: 3 of places that are crowded or enclosed) or may be more general and include most or all public places. This avoidance may have a specific pattern (e.g. People with agoraphobia may begin making excuses, procrastinating, or avoiding going out in public. The most obvious signs of the disorder are avoidance of certain places. ![]() ![]() More than other types of anxiety disorders, agoraphobia is most clearly identified by changes in behavior. 3 Interestingly, the fear of panic attacks is usually a primary reason why a person with agoraphobia avoids certain public places or situations. Most people with agoraphobia have had a previous or current diagnosis of panic disorder or a history of having panic attacks. In people who develop panic disorder, the fear of future attacks becomes debilitating, causing them to avoid places and situations where they fear having another attack.Ī strong link exists between panic disorder and agoraphobia. Panic disorder is described as having a “fear of fear.” The disorder is developed when panic attacks result in significant anxiety about having another panic attack. Feeling disconnected from your surroundings.Panic attacks are sudden and intense symptoms of anxiety which include four or more of the following symptoms and usually last ten minutes or less: 3 1 Regardless of age, the signs of agoraphobia are similar, with fear and avoidance of public places being the primary indicators. 5 According to the NIH, 2.4% of teens between the ages of 13 and 18 are diagnosed with agoraphobia and only a very small number of children are diagnosed. Women with agoraphobia are more likely to be severely impaired by the disorder than menĪgoraphobia usually develops in adulthood, with an average age of onset between 25 and 30 years old.Women are twice as likely as men to develop agoraphobia.87% of people diagnosed with agoraphobia also have another mental health condition.Older adults ages 65 and up are much less likely to develop agoraphobia.The average age of onset is 17 with most disorders starting between late adolescence and early adulthood.1.7% of American adolescents and adults will develop agoraphobia each year. ![]() 2 How Common Is It?Īgoraphobia is relatively common. It is common that a person with agoraphobia has had panic attacks in the specific places they are afraid to go. Many times, the specific places and situations people fear are based on their past experiences. Some people with agoraphobia fear crowded or closed spaces while others fear open and empty spaces, and some fear almost any public place. While there aren’t any distinct subtypes of agoraphobia, there is variation in the specific places that are feared and avoided. A phobia is defined as intense anxiety only in response to very specific places, things, or situations. Agoraphobia belongs to a cluster of anxiety disorders called specific phobias, and is related to other phobias like scopophobia (fear of being stared at), anthropophobia (fear of people) and possibly megalophobia (fear of large objects). These fears usually involve concern about being unable to escape or get help in the event that they become anxious. Agoraphobia is the fear of being in specific public places.
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