Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Agoraphobia Open Access Scholarly Journal

Agoraphobia is 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. These situations can include open spaces, public transit, shopping centers, or simply being outside their home. Agoraphobia is an extreme avoidance of situations that could cause panic. Agoraphobia is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5 (DSM-5) as an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder is when a feeling of anxiety does not go away and tends to grow worse over time.  Agoraphobia is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder 5 (DSM-5) as an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder is when a feeling of anxiety does not go away and tends to grow worse over time. One type of anxiety disorder is a panic disorder, where panic attacks and sudden feelings of terror can occur without warning. Agoraphobia is one such panic disorder. Agoraphobic panic attacks are linked to a fear of places where it is hard to escape or where help may not be available. Places that can induce agoraphobia include those that can make a person feel embarrassed, helpless, or trapped, such as crowded areas, bridges, public transport and remote areas. Most people develop agoraphobia after having had one or more panic attacks. These attacks cause them to fear further attacks, so they try to avoid the situation in which the attack occurred.