Agoraphobia is a phobic disorder that stems from the intense fear of having a panic attack in a public or crowded place or situation that can lead to embarrassment and has no means of escape. The name agoraphobia has been derived from the Greek word ‘agora’ meaning public places or assemblies. Individuals affected by agoraphobia are known as agoraphobics and try to avoid streets, queues, elevators, crowded malls, movie theatres, amusement parks and busy office complexes. Most agoraphobics are also known to fear some form of travel such as by cars, buses, airplanes and subway trains. These individuals avoid public or unknown places and in severe cases may even become restricted to their home.

Individuals who have had panic attacks in one or more situations are most likely to develop agoraphobia out of the fear that they might have an attack in a situation which may lead to embarrassment or from which escape would be impossible. Approximately 3.2 million Americans in the age group of 15 to 54 have agoraphobia at any given point of time and almost one-third of all individuals with panic disorder go on to develop agoraphobia.

Causes of Agoraphobia:

There are several factors that contribute to the development of this disorder with or without panic attacks.

Family Factors:

Individuals with parents who have an anxiety disorder are more prone to the development of agoraphobia.

Children who are constantly criticized by their parents.

Children who have undergone child abuse are also prone to developing this disorder.

Personality Factors:

An intense need of approval by others is one of the most prominent contributing factors to the development of agoraphobia.

The need for being in control all the time is another factor.

Individuals who exhibit oversensitive reactions to external impetus.

Biological factors:

Oversensitivity to hormone changes leads to the development of agoraphobia.

Oversensitivity to physical stimuli is another contributing factor.

High amounts of sodium lactate in the blood stream makes individuals prone to agoraphobia.

Individuals with a weak vestibular system are prone to developing this disorder.

Agoraphobia without Panic:

In the absence of panic attacks agoraphobia develops as fearfulness to various environmental aspects outside one’s home. Individuals who are epileptic or have other somatic ailments such as colitis and fear sudden outbursts or attacks are also prone to developing this disorder.