Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia
An ancient agora in Delos, Greece—one of the public spaces after which the condition is named.
Pronunciation	/ˌæɡərəˈfoʊbiəˌ əˌɡɔːrə-/
Specialty	Psychiatry, clinical psychology
Symptoms	Anxiety in situations perceived to be unsafe, panic attacks[1][2]
Complications	Depression, substance use disorder[1]
Duration	> 6 months[1]
Causes	Genetic and environmental factors[1]
Risk factors	Family history, stressful event[1]
Differential diagnosis	Separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder[1]
Treatment	Cognitive behavioral therapy[3]
Prognosis	Resolution in half with treatment[4]
Frequency	1.9% of adults[1]

Agoraphobia^[1] is a mental and behavioral disorder,^[5] specifically an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives their environment to be unsafe with no easy way to escape.^[1] These situations can include public transit, shopping centers, crowds and queues, or simply being outside their home on their own.^[1] Being in these situations may result in a panic attack.^[2] Those affected will go to great lengths to avoid these situations.^[1] In severe cases, people may become completely unable to leave their homes.^[2]

Agoraphobia is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.^[1] The condition often runs in families, and stressful or traumatic events such as the death of a parent or being attacked may be a trigger.^[1] In the DSM-5, agoraphobia is classified as a phobia along with specific phobias and social phobia.^[1][3] Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include separation anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder.^[1] The diagnosis of agoraphobia has been shown to be comorbid with depression, substance abuse, and suicide ideation.^[6][7] Without treatment, it is uncommon for agoraphobia to resolve.^[1] Treatment is typically with a type of counselling called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).^[3][8] CBT results in resolution for about half of people.^[4] In some instances, those with a diagnosis of agoraphobia have reported taking benzodiazepines and antipsychotics.^[6] Agoraphobia affects about 1.7% of adults.^[1] Women are affected about twice as often as men.^[1] The condition is rare in children, often begins in adolescence or early adulthood, and becomes less common in old age.^[1]