Agoraphobia

Definition:

An incapacitating fear of open spaces.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Agoraphobia is a disorder characterized by avoidance of crowds, and open and public places, particularly if escape or assistance is not immediately available. It may occur alone, or may accompany other types of panic disorder.

This phobia causes people to restrict their activities to a smaller and smaller area, finally leading to the inability to leave home without suffering a panic attack. Other features of this disorder may be excessive dependence upon others, the perception that the body is unreal (called depersonalization), or that the environment is unreal (derealization), and depression.

The onset of this disorder may be associated with a panic attack in a public place, or events that cause a person to feel uncomfortable in a public setting, followed by avoidance of similar situations. The onset usually occurs during the 20's, and women are affected more often than men. People with this disorder may become house bound for years, with resulting impairment of social and interpersonal relationships.