Agoraphobia is a fear of being outdoors or being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or embarrassing. The condition often occurs in association with panic disorder.
Symptoms of agoraphobia are most severe when one experiences a situation as described above. Associated symptoms resemble those of panic attack and can include anxiety, apprehension, feelings of entrapment, embarrassment, helplessness, and rapid heart rate. Other symptoms and signs can include diarrhea, upset stomach, lightheadedness, dizziness, trouble breathing, excessive sweating, feeling shaky, and chest pain. In severe cases, the individual may feel that death is impending.
Cause of agoraphobia
Medical professionals believe possible inherited or genetic factors coupled with environmental influences cause agoraphobia.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
Main Article on Agoraphobia Symptoms and Signs
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Agoraphobia Symptoms and Signs
- Anxiety
- Apprehension
- Chest Pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Embarrassment
- Excessive Sweating
- Fear
- Feeling of Shakiness
- Feelings of Entrapment
- Helplessness
- Lightheadedness
- Panic Attack
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Trouble Breathing
- Upset Stomach
- Anxiety
- Apprehension
- Chest Pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Embarrassment
- Excessive Sweating
- Fear
- Feeling of Shakiness
- Feelings of Entrapment
- Helplessness
- Lightheadedness
- Panic Attack
- Rapid Heart Rate
- Trouble Breathing
- Upset Stomach
Examples of Medications for Agoraphobia Symptoms and Signs
- alprazolam (Xanax, Xanax XR, Niravam) Anti-Anxiety Drug
- Benzodiazepines (Benzodiazepine Drug Class)
- citalopram, Celexa
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- diazepam (Valium, Diastat, Acudial, Diastat Pediatric, Diazepam Intensol)
- fluoxetine, Prozac, Sarafem, Prozac Weekly
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
- propranolol, Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- vortioxetine (Trintellix - formerly known as Brintellix)
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