Agoraphobia

About

Agoraphobia is the irrational fear of crowded places, people, or objects. It is derived from the Greek word; "agora" meaning the market place, or a place of assembly, and a "phobia" meaning an irrational fear.

Agoraphobia is a common 'Anxiety disorder'

• It is one of the commonest types of phobic conditions seen in clinical practise.
• It is defined as a phobic disorder that is characterised by an irrational fear of being in places away from familiar settings

Some common situations include:

1. Driving
2. Shopping
3. Crowded places
4. Travelling
5. Standing in line
6. Being alone
7. Meetings and social gatherings.

History of Agoraphobia

• Westphal in 1872 was the first to describe the condition.
• When describing the condition he stressed on the importance of anxiety associated with the condition.
• Around the 1960's Agoraphobia was classified as a 'Phobic Anxiety Disorder'.

References:

1. Shorter Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry (IVth Edition): Oxford University Press - Michael Gelder, Richard Mayou & Philip Cowen.
2. A Short Textbook of Psychiatry (Vth Edition): Jaypee Brothers, -Niraj Ahuja, MD.
3. Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities. 6th Edition. Oxford press. -Judith Colier, Murray longmore, Peter Scally.

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