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Psychiatry70 papers

Agoraphobia

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Agoraphobia is a complex anxiety disorder characterized by fear and avoidance of places or situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if symptoms of panic occur 115.

Diagnosis

  • Key diagnostic criteria include fear or anxiety about two or more situations (e.g., using public transportation, being in open spaces) 15.
  • Symptoms often include panic attacks, anticipatory anxiety, and avoidance behaviors 15.
  • No specific laboratory tests; diagnosis primarily clinical based on DSM-5 criteria 15.
  • Management

  • First-line treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including exposure therapy 141820.
  • Behavioral interventions: In vivo and imaginal exposure therapy 2122.
  • Pharmacotherapy: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline or paroxetine; initial doses typically 50-200 mg/day 23.
  • Adjunctive treatments: Social support interventions, particularly for married agoraphobic women 1725.
  • Special Populations

  • Elderly: Recognize agoraphobia as a hidden problem; cognitive behavioral strategies can be effective 14.
  • Comorbidities: Consider influence of marital dynamics, especially with abnormally jealous partners, on treatment outcomes 2426.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Primary treatment should involve Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including exposure therapy, to address both cognitive and behavioral aspects of agoraphobia (Evidence: Strong 1418).
  • Pharmacotherapy with SSRIs is recommended for severe cases, with careful monitoring of response and side effects (Evidence: Moderate 23).
  • Evaluate and address social support systems, particularly in married agoraphobic women, as reduced support can impede recovery (Evidence: Moderate 1725).
  • References

    1 Eagle M. Psychoanalytic Conceptions of Agoraphobia. Psychoanalytic review 2025. link 2 Swanson BZ, Croll TP. Early Dental Trade Card Metamorphic Before and After. Journal of the history of dentistry 2021. link 3 Swanson BZ, Croll TP. Early Dental Trade Card with Unusual Logo. Journal of the history of dentistry 2021. link 4 Cronin M. Exhibition Research and Findings: The Rare Privilege of Medicine. Journal of anesthesia history 2020. link 5 Kim EKE, Cooper B, Desai MS. Popular Literature as an Educational Aid for History of Anesthesia. Journal of anesthesia history 2018. link 6 Roddy KJ, Starnes V, Desai SP. Sites Related to Crawford Williamson Long in Georgia. Anesthesiology 2016. link 7 Haridas RP, Mifflin JA. Researches regarding the Morton ether inhaler at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Anesthesia and analgesia 2013. link 8 Desai KR, Desai SP. Training to be an historian of anesthesia: options at universities in the United States. Journal of clinical anesthesia 2013. link 9 Catling-Paull C, Johnston R, Ryan C, Foureur MJ, Homer CS. Non-clinical interventions that increase the uptake and success of vaginal birth after caesarean section: a systematic review. Journal of advanced nursing 2011. link 10 Desai SP, Buterbaugh J, Desai MS. The making of an anesthesia historian: lessons from a worldwide biographical survey. Anesthesia and analgesia 2011. link 11 Russillo B, Sewitch MJ, Cardinal L, Brassard N. Comparing rates of trial of labour attempts, VBAC success, and fetal and maternal complications among family physicians and obstetricians. Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC 2008. link32735-9) 12 Ball C. The Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History: creating a meaningful display. Anaesthesia and intensive care 2008. link 13 Goldberg C. Contributing factors associated with agoraphobia. Psychological reports 1993. link 14 Marriott P, Smith R. The elderly agoraphobic: a hidden problem. Australian family physician 1993. link 15 Kuch K, Swinson RP. Agoraphobia: what Westphal really said. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie 1992. link 16 Herod EL. Agoraphobia: review and considerations in dental treatment. Special care in dentistry : official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry 1988. link 17 Pyke J, Roberts J. Social support and married agoraphobic women. Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie 1987. link 18 Biran MW. Two-stage therapy for agoraphobia. American journal of psychotherapy 1987. link 19 Bennun I. A composite formulation of agoraphobia. American journal of psychotherapy 1986. link 20 De Moor W. The topography of agoraphobia. American journal of psychotherapy 1985. link 21 James JE. Desensitization treatment of agoraphobia. The British journal of clinical psychology 1985. link 22 Benjamin S, Kincey J. Evaluation of standardized behavioural treatment for agoraphobic in-patients administered by untrained therapists. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1981. link 23 Goldney RD. Agoraphobia: the clinical problem. Australian family physician 1980. link 24 Hafner RJ. Agoraphobic women married to abnormally jealous men. The British journal of medical psychology 1979. link 25 Hafner RJ. The husbands of agoraphobic women and their influence on treatment outcome. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1977. link 26 Hafner RJ. The husbands of agoraphobic women: assortative mating or pathogenic interaction?. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1977. link 27 Berg I. School phobia in the children of agoraphobic women. The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science 1976. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Psychoanalytic Conceptions of Agoraphobia.Eagle M Psychoanalytic review (2025)
    2. [2]
      Early Dental Trade Card Metamorphic Before and After.Swanson BZ, Croll TP Journal of the history of dentistry (2021)
    3. [3]
      Early Dental Trade Card with Unusual Logo.Swanson BZ, Croll TP Journal of the history of dentistry (2021)
    4. [4]
      Exhibition Research and Findings: The Rare Privilege of Medicine.Cronin M Journal of anesthesia history (2020)
    5. [5]
      Popular Literature as an Educational Aid for History of Anesthesia.Kim EKE, Cooper B, Desai MS Journal of anesthesia history (2018)
    6. [6]
      Sites Related to Crawford Williamson Long in Georgia.Roddy KJ, Starnes V, Desai SP Anesthesiology (2016)
    7. [7]
      Researches regarding the Morton ether inhaler at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.Haridas RP, Mifflin JA Anesthesia and analgesia (2013)
    8. [8]
      Training to be an historian of anesthesia: options at universities in the United States.Desai KR, Desai SP Journal of clinical anesthesia (2013)
    9. [9]
      Non-clinical interventions that increase the uptake and success of vaginal birth after caesarean section: a systematic review.Catling-Paull C, Johnston R, Ryan C, Foureur MJ, Homer CS Journal of advanced nursing (2011)
    10. [10]
      The making of an anesthesia historian: lessons from a worldwide biographical survey.Desai SP, Buterbaugh J, Desai MS Anesthesia and analgesia (2011)
    11. [11]
      Comparing rates of trial of labour attempts, VBAC success, and fetal and maternal complications among family physicians and obstetricians.Russillo B, Sewitch MJ, Cardinal L, Brassard N Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal d'obstetrique et gynecologie du Canada : JOGC (2008)
    12. [12]
    13. [13]
      Contributing factors associated with agoraphobia.Goldberg C Psychological reports (1993)
    14. [14]
      The elderly agoraphobic: a hidden problem.Marriott P, Smith R Australian family physician (1993)
    15. [15]
      Agoraphobia: what Westphal really said.Kuch K, Swinson RP Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (1992)
    16. [16]
      Agoraphobia: review and considerations in dental treatment.Herod EL Special care in dentistry : official publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry (1988)
    17. [17]
      Social support and married agoraphobic women.Pyke J, Roberts J Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie (1987)
    18. [18]
      Two-stage therapy for agoraphobia.Biran MW American journal of psychotherapy (1987)
    19. [19]
      A composite formulation of agoraphobia.Bennun I American journal of psychotherapy (1986)
    20. [20]
      The topography of agoraphobia.De Moor W American journal of psychotherapy (1985)
    21. [21]
      Desensitization treatment of agoraphobia.James JE The British journal of clinical psychology (1985)
    22. [22]
      Evaluation of standardized behavioural treatment for agoraphobic in-patients administered by untrained therapists.Benjamin S, Kincey J The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1981)
    23. [23]
      Agoraphobia: the clinical problem.Goldney RD Australian family physician (1980)
    24. [24]
      Agoraphobic women married to abnormally jealous men.Hafner RJ The British journal of medical psychology (1979)
    25. [25]
      The husbands of agoraphobic women and their influence on treatment outcome.Hafner RJ The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1977)
    26. [26]
      The husbands of agoraphobic women: assortative mating or pathogenic interaction?Hafner RJ The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1977)
    27. [27]
      School phobia in the children of agoraphobic women.Berg I The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (1976)

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