Characteristics of Agoraphobia

Detailed description of agoraphobia with an overview of treatment for agoraphobia.

Agoraphobia is the fear of going out into public places. Agoraphbia can occur with or without panic attacks.

Mary's problems started one day when she was pumping gas. Some rough young men came over and made rude remarks. She was frightened and began avoiding gas stations. The fear increased, and she became unable to do the grocery shopping without her husband. She spent much of her day worrying about anticipated trips out of the house. Within two years, she was housebound. Her husband consulted a psychiatrist who gave him advice on how to persuade Mary to come in for a consultation. The psychiatrist saw them together, educated them about agoraphobia, and prescribed medication. At Mary's next session, she was calm enough to begin the therapeutic work of enlarging her "perimeter of safety." Her husband attended all of the sessions. Between sessions, he helped her with her homework. He would accompany her as she gradually went further from home. When she began to go places on her own, he was coach and cheerleader. She was eventually able to deal with her fears on her own. Mary elected to remain on her medications for a year after her symptoms had gone away. *

In milder forms, agoraphobia may cause an individual to avoid certain situations and jobs. However, in some cases, the fear increases until the individual becomes depressed and housebound. Occasionally one may be too fearful to come in for treatment. This may be a reason for resurrecting the old concept of the physician's house call.

Treatment for Agoraphobia

Individuals with severe agoraphobia should usually start both medication and therapy as soon as possible. Without the medication, such an individual might not be able to make full use of the therapeutic process. People with mild to moderate symptoms might chose a combination approach or therapy alone. Homework between situations, and coaching from family members or therapists help one gradually face the feared situations.

*vignettes are fictional examples

About the author: Carol E. Watkins, MD is Board-Certified in Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatry and in private practice in Baltimore, MD.

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