Can you develop agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is diagnosed based on symptoms and signs. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including when they started and how often you experience them. They may also perform blood tests to help rule out physical causes for your symptoms.

The DSM is a manual often used by healthcare providers to diagnose mental health conditions. You must feel intense fear or anxiety in two of more of the following situations to be diagnosed with agoraphobia:. There are additional criteria for a diagnosis of panic disorder with agoraphobia. You must have recurrent panic attacks, and at least one panic attack must have been followed by:. There are a number of different treatments for agoraphobia.

Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, involves meeting with a therapist or other mental health professional on a regular basis. This gives you the opportunity to talk about your fears and any issues that may be contributing to your fears. Psychotherapy is often combined with medications for optimum effectiveness. Cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is the most common form of psychotherapy used to treat people with agoraphobia.

CBT can help you understand the distorted feelings and views associated with agoraphobia. It can also teach you how to work through stressful situations by replacing the distorted thoughts with healthy thoughts, allowing you to regain a sense of control in your life. Exposure therapy can also help you overcome your fears. This may make your fear diminish over time. You may want to try:. However, early treatment for anxiety or panic disorders may help.

Your GP needs to know as much as possible about your symptoms to make the correct diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Read more about diagnosing agoraphobia. Lifestyle changes may help, including taking regular exercise , eating more healthily , and avoiding alcohol, drugs and drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee and cola.

Self-help techniques that can help during a panic attack include staying where you are, focusing on something that's non-threatening and visible, and slow, deep breathing. You can also refer yourself directly for psychological therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy CBT , without seeing your GP.

Read more about psychological therapies on the NHS. Medication may be recommended if self-help techniques and lifestyle changes aren't effective in controlling your symptoms. You'll usually be prescribed a course of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , which are also used to treat anxiety and depression. In severe cases of agoraphobia, medication can be used in combination with other types of treatment, such as CBT and relaxation therapy.

Read more about treating agoraphobia. Around a third of people with agoraphobia eventually achieve a complete cure and remain free from symptoms. Around half experience an improvement in symptoms, but they may have periods when their symptoms become more troublesome — for example, if they feel stressed. People with agoraphobia may need help from a companion to visit public places.

They may feel unable to leave home on their own or at all. Doctors usually treat agoraphobia with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioral therapy CBT , a type of psychotherapy. It is important to note that antidepressants sometimes have unwanted effects at the beginning, which may make symptoms of the disorder seem worse.

In a psychotherapy appointment, a person works with a therapist to address the causes and symptoms of their anxiety. In the process, the person can find new ways of facing their fears. CBT focuses on changing the way that a person thinks about and reacts to certain circumstances. The person may learn:. To help a person overcome their fear, a therapist may start by walking a short way from home with them and gradually increase the distance over time.

This can provide a safe way to confront unwanted feelings. Initial treatment may take place online or by telephone, making it unnecessary for the person to leave their home. Friends and loved ones can also help by learning about agoraphobia, showing understanding, and encouraging the person to take new steps as they feel ready.

Some helpful strategies for people with agoraphobia include:. Agoraphobia can involve a combination of fears, other feelings, and physical symptoms. These can all vary from mild to severe. Some people can manage agoraphobia symptoms by following a routine. For others, it can be severely debilitating. According to the DSM-5 , a person with agoraphobia commonly fears :. The most characteristic fear involves a situation in which dangers arises and help is unavailable or escape is impossible.

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Skip to main content. Home Anxiety. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About agoraphobia Symptoms of agoraphobia Agoraphobia develops over time Complications of agoraphobia Diagnosis of agoraphobia Treatment for agoraphobia Self-help methods to manage agoraphobia Where to get help. About agoraphobia Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder.

Agoraphobia develops over time Agoraphobia usually begins with a stressful event — for example, a person loses a job or a relationship ends. For example: Activities outside of the home such as work, school, socialising, hobbies and many forms of exercise are out of reach.

Financial hardship, isolation, loneliness and boredom may lead to greater feelings of distress and increase the risk of depression. The person may recognise that their fear is irrational, but feel powerless to do anything about it.

They may feel angry and frustrated with themselves. These negative feelings damage self-esteem and contribute to depression, and other anxieties and fears. The person may try to cope using unhealthy methods such as comfort eating, drugs or alcohol , which in turn can cause or contribute to further health problems.