Agoraphobia

The most common phobic disorder, agoraphobia is the fear of being alone in public places from which the person thinks escape would be difficult or help unavailable if he were incapacitated.

These people avoid being on busy streets or in crowded stores, theaters and churches. Normal activities become restricted as the person avoids these situations. Many agoraphobia victims became so disabled they literally will not leave their homes. If agoraphobics do venture into public places, they do so only when accompanied by a friend or family member.

Two-thirds of those suffering from agoraphobia are women,  The disorder tends to be more common among families where other members also suffer from an anxiety disorder and/or possibly abuse alcohol. Most agoraphobia’s develop symptoms between the ages of 18 and 35.  The onset may be sudden or gradual.

Many agoraphobia victims develop the disorder after first suffering a series of panic attacks in public places.  The attacks seem to occur randomly and without warning, making it impossible for a person to predict what situation will trigger such a reaction.

The unpredictability of the panic attacks "trains" the victims to anticipate future panic attacks and, therefore, to fear any situation in which an attack may occur. As a result, they avoid going out in public. Agoraphobia victims also are likely to develop depression, fatigue, tension, spontaneous panic and obsessive disorders. 

Compiled in association with the "Mental Health Association of Ireland" 


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