Knowledge Tree
Agoraphobia
Facts (12)
Sources
Anxiety Disorders DSM - 445 Dolley Madison Road crossroadspsychiatric.com 6 facts
claimAgoraphobic fears typically involve clusters of situations including being outside the home alone, being in a crowd, standing in a line, being on a bridge, or traveling in a bus, train, or automobile.
referenceThe DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder Without Agoraphobia (Code 300.01) require: (1) recurrent unexpected panic attacks, and (2) at least one attack followed by one month or more of persistent concern about additional attacks, worry about the implications or consequences of the attack (such as losing control or 'going crazy'), or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks. Additionally, the patient must show an absence of Agoraphobia, and the panic attacks must not be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drug of abuse, medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., overactive thyroid).
claimAgoraphobia is not a codable disorder in the DSM-IV-TR; the specific diagnosis in which Agoraphobia occurs is assigned a code, such as 300.21 (Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia) or 300.22 (Agoraphobia Without History of Panic Disorder).
referenceThe DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia (Code 300.21) require: (1) recurrent unexpected panic attacks, and (2) at least one attack followed by one month or more of persistent concern about additional attacks, worry about the implications or consequences of the attack (such as losing control or 'going crazy'), or a significant change in behavior related to the attacks. Additionally, the patient must exhibit the presence of Agoraphobia, and the panic attacks must not be due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., drug of abuse, medication) or a general medical condition (e.g., overactive thyroid).
referenceAgoraphobia involves the avoidance of specific situations, enduring them with marked distress, or requiring the presence of a companion, and the condition is not better accounted for by other mental disorders such as Social Phobia, Specific Phobia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or Separation Anxiety Disorder.
referenceAgoraphobia is defined by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-IV-TR as anxiety about being in situations or places where escape might be difficult, embarrassing, or where help might be unavailable during an unexpected panic attack or panic-like symptoms.
Effective Anxiety Management: Evidence-Based Approaches reachlink.com Nov 29, 2025 4 facts
claimAgoraphobia often originates as a complication of panic disorder, where fears are linked to the possibility of having panic attacks in uncomfortable situations.
claimAgoraphobia, limited transportation, and a shortage of local treatment providers can create barriers to seeking in-person anxiety treatment.
claimAgoraphobia is defined by a persistent fear and avoidance of situations that could be difficult or socially awkward to leave, such as crowded spaces, public transportation, and enclosed areas.
claimExposure therapy is considered most effective for anxieties related to specific situations, such as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or agoraphobia, with additional evidence supporting its use for panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Diagnosis of Anxiety - News-Medical.Net news-medical.net 1 fact
referenceThe DSM-IV-TR criteria for Panic Disorder include: (1) frequent panic attacks without cause or warning; (2) potential presence of agoraphobia (fear of large open spaces); (3) absence of other psychiatric or medical ailments that explain the attacks; and (4) at least one attack followed by fear and concern regarding another attack, worry regarding the consequences of an attack, or a change in behavior related to the panic attacks.
The Role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Treating Anxiety thesupportivecare.com Apr 25, 2025 1 fact
procedureIn Vivo Exposure in CBT for agoraphobia involves gradually confronting feared situations and locations to overcome avoidance, with studies indicating that 70-80% of patients with agoraphobia experience significant improvement following structured exposure protocols.