Agoraphobia is defined as the fear of being alone in public places or situations from which escape is difficult. It affects 1-7% of the population and is often caused by having multiple panic attacks in public, leading to a fear of public places. Symptoms include anxiety and avoidance of situations that could trigger a panic attack. To be diagnosed, the DSM-IV criteria require anxiety about places where help may not be available if a panic attack occurs, along with avoidance of these situations. Treatment involves medication like SSRIs, psychotherapy, and treating any coexisting panic disorder.

1. Agoraphobia
Presented by:
Telima Olungwe

2. Definition:
• Agoraphobia is the fear of being alone in
public places or being in a situation from
which one either cannot escape or from
which escaping would be difficult or
humiliating.

3. Incidence
• Agoraphobia ranges from <1%- 7% of the
population

4. Aetiology
• There are a number of theories about what can
cause agoraphobia such as:
– A secondary development to panic attacks due to
apprehension about having subsequent attacks in
public places where escape my be difficult
• 50-70% of these patients have a coexisting panic disorder.
– A reaction to internal emotional conflicts.
– Genetic or familial factors of inheritance.

5. Agoraphobia & Panic Attacks
• It is theorized that a person who suffers
multiple panic attacks in multiple public
settings tends to develop a progressive and
more general fear of public places
– Example:

6. Clinical Findings/Symptoms
• Symptoms of agoraphobia include:
– Anxiety
– Subsequent avoidance of being in a situation in
which one will have a panic attack, when in a
situation from which escape is not possible, or is
difficult or embarrassing.
– When associated with panic attacks, symptoms
may involve intense fear, disorientation, rapid
heart beat, dizziness, or diarrhea.

7. Diagnosis & DSM-IV criteria
• The following criteria must be met for a
diagnosis of agoraphobia:
1. Anxiety about being in places or situations from
which escape might be difficult or in which help
would not be readily available in the event of a
panic attack.
2. The situations are either avoided, endured with
severe distress, or faced only with the presence
of a companion.
3. These symptoms cannot be better explained by
another mental disorder.

8. Treatment
• SSRI (1st line treatment), beta blockers,
benzodiazepines
• Behavioral therapy (psychotherapy)
• Treating coexisting panic disorder.

9. References
• Dryden-Edwards, Roxanne, and Melissa C. Stoppler. "Agoraphobia -
MedicineNet."MedicineNet. N.p., 14 Jan. 2014. Web. 16 Jan. 2014.
<http://www.medicinenet.com/agoraphobia/article.htm>.