• Anxiety or panic attack ( acute severe anxiety)
• Becoming housebound for prolonged periods of time
• Dependence on others
• Fear of being alone
• Fear of being in places where escape might be difficult
• Fear of losing control in a public place
• Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
• Feelings of helplessness
• Feeling that the body is unreal
• Feeling that the environment is unreal
• Unusual temper or agitation with trembling or twitching

Additional symptoms that may occur:

• Abdominal distress that occurs when upset
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Confused or disordered thoughts
  • Intense fear of dying
  • Intense fear of going crazy
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Heartbeat sensations
• Lightheadedness , near fainting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Skin flushing

The individual may have a history of phobias. Family, friends, or the affected person may tell the health care provider about agoraphobic behavior.

Signs include:

• High blood pressure
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Sweating

Images

Panic disorder with agoraphobia

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Agoraphobia Overview

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Agoraphobia Treatment

Review Date: 12/15/2008
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick MD, Family Physician, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Timothy A. Rogge, MD, private practice in Psychiatry, Kirkland, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)