Agoraphobia (cont.)
What are the risk factors for agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia tends to begin by adolescence or early adulthood. Girls and women, Native Americans, middle-aged individuals, low-income
populations, and individuals who are either widowed, separated, or divorced are
at increased risk of developing agoraphobia. Individuals who are Asian,
Hispanic, or of African/African-American descent tend to
have a lower risk of
developing this disorder.
While having a history of panic attacks is a risk factor for developing
agoraphobia, agoraphobic individuals are at increased risk for developing panic
attacks as well. Other anxiety disorders that tend to co-occur with agoraphobia
include social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. Even the use
of alcohol can result in severe, temporary anxiety.
When should one seek medical care for agoraphobia?
Call your doctor when the
signs and symptoms of anxiety are not easily, quickly, and clearly relieved. For
example:
When the signs and symptoms suggest
that anxiety may have been present for a prolonged period (more than a few days)
and appear to be stable (not getting worse rapidly), you may be able to make an
appointment with your doctor for evaluation. But when the signs and symptoms are
severe and come on suddenly, they may indicate serious medical illness that
needs immediate evaluation and treatment in a hospital's emergency department.
Next: How is agoraphobia diagnosed? »
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