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Agoraphobia is often called "fear of open spaces" but this description is simplistic and misleading. Agoraphobia is like an unreasonable fear or anxiety associated with unfamiliar surroundings or situations, but this description also oversimplifies a complex issue.
In some cases, agoraphobia arises associated with panic attacks from panic disorder, and the fear of places or situations occurs when these were the triggers of the panic attacks. In other words, agoraphobia becomes like a "fear of having another panic attack" or a fear of anything or anywhere that might trigger a panic attack. A vicious cycle sets in where anxiety or fear of certain places or situations make a panic attack more likely to occur, which in turn raises the anxiety level.
Whatever its description, agoraphobia can be not only emotionally stressing, it can actually become debilitating, leading to a life of self-imposed isolation. ...more »
See full list of 6 symptoms of Agoraphobia
See full list of 7 treatments for Agoraphobia
Home medical testing related to Agoraphobia:
Alternative treatments or home remedies that have been listed in various sources as possibly beneficial for Agoraphobia may include:
See full list of 18 causes of Agoraphobia
More information about causes of Agoraphobia:
Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Agoraphobia:
Commonly undiagnosed diseases in related medical categories:
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Agoraphobia
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Research quality ratings and patient safety measures for medical facilities in specialties related to Agoraphobia:
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Choosing the Best Hospital: More general information, not necessarily in relation to Agoraphobia, on hospital performance and surgical care quality:
Rare types of diseases and disorders in related medical categories:
Visit our research pages for current research about Agoraphobia treatments.
The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.
Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Agoraphobia include:
See full list of 7 Clinical Trials for Agoraphobia
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Some people’s lives become greatly restricted -- they avoid normal everyday activities such as grocery shopping, driving, or, in some cases, even leaving the house. Or they may be able to confront a feared situation only if accompanied by a spouse or other trusted person. Basically, they avoid any situation they fear that would make them feel helpless if a panic attack occurs. When people’s lives become so restricted by the disorder, as happens in about one-third of all people with panic disorder, the condition is called agoraphobia. (Source: excerpt from Panic Disorder: NWHIC)
And agoraphobia, which often accompanies panic disorder, is a fear of being in any situation that might provoke a panic attack, or from which escape might be difficult if one occurred. (Source: excerpt from Phobia: NWHIC)
A morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place) - (Source - WordNet 2.1)
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