ISSN: 2041-6792

Clinical Investigation

Agoraphobia Open Access Scholarly Journal

 Agoraphobia is commonly understood to be a fear of open spaces or going outside, but in fact it is more complex. With agoraphobia the anxiety or fear appears to be associated with being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing (for example trying to get out of a crowded room or social situation), or in which help may not be available in the event of having a panic attack. This anxiety may thus result in avoiding a range of situations, for example, being alone, inside or outside the home; being in a crowd of people; travelling by car, bus or plane; or being on a bridge or in a lift. Anxiety about getting, or dealing with a panic attack, can exacerbate the feelings of anxiety associated with the situation. You may find that if you experience agoraphobia you also dislike being alone (monophobia), and may also become anxious in small confined spaces (claustrophobia). A phobia may begin apparently without cause, but may be linked to periods or incidences of stress or trauma. The anxiety that is linked to phobias may be partly a learnt response, e.g. if parents or other family members are particularly anxious about aspects of life. Phobias experienced by other family members may also result in ‘learnt’ behaviour, picked up by others within the family. Agoraphobia may result from the stress associated with the loss of a person on whom sufferer depended for his/her sense of security.

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