Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is the fear or avoidance of situations where escape would be difficult or help unavailable if the person were to experience panic or other incapacitating symptoms. Typical situations: public transportation, open spaces, enclosed spaces, lines, crowds, or being outside the home alone.
Agoraphobia often develops after panic disorder — the person begins avoiding situations where they fear having a panic attack with no way to escape or get help. But it can also occur on its own. In severe cases, a person can become completely housebound — unable to leave home at all.
Treatment is gradual exposure to the avoided situations, often combined with treatment of the underlying panic disorder when present.
💡 Practical example
After having panic attacks on the subway, Carlos stopped using public transportation, then began avoiding any crowded place, then avoided going out alone at all, and eventually became confined to his own home — agoraphobia progressing through the generalization of avoidance.
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