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agoraphobia
a·gor·a·pho·bi·a A0147000 (ə-gôr′ə-fō′bē-ə, ăg′ər-ə-)n. An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about being in open or public places.
[Greek agorā, marketplace; see ger- in Indo-European roots + -phobia.]
a·gor′a·phobe′ n.a·gor′a·pho′bi·ac′ (-ăk′) n.a·gor′a·pho′bic adj. & n.Usage Note: The traditional pronunciation of agoraphobia places secondary stress on the first syllable (ăg′ər-ə-fō′bē-ə). During the latter part of the 20th century, a variant pronunciation (ə-gôr′ə-fō′bē-ə) with secondary stress on the second syllable became increasingly common even though at first it was met with criticism. In 2001, 66 percent of the Panel preferred the traditional pronunciation. A mere 13 years later, in 2014, that proportion had plummeted to 43 percent. The pronunciation variant has quickly gained acceptance, so much so that the new pronunciation was acceptable to more Panelists (73 percent) than was the traditional pronunciation (67 percent).agoraphobia (ˌæɡərəˈfəʊbɪə) n (Psychiatry) a pathological fear of being in public places, often resulting in the sufferer becoming housebound ˌagoraˈphobic adj, nag•o•ra•pho•bi•a (ˌæg ər əˈfoʊ bi ə)
n. an abnormal fear of being in a difficult or helpless situation, esp. in crowds, public places, or open areas. [1870–75] ag`o•ra•pho′bic, adj., n. agoraphobia - Based on Greek agora, "open space," it was not the first phobia described, which was actually hydrophobia in the mid-16th century.See also related terms for open space.agoraphobiaan abnormal fear of being in crowded, public places like markets.See also: SpacesThesaurus| Noun | 1. |  agoraphobia - a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)phobia, phobic disorder, phobic neurosis - an anxiety disorder characterized by extreme and irrational fear of simple things or social situations; "phobic disorder is a general term for all phobias" |
Translationsagorafobiagorafobiaagorafobiaагорафобияagoraphobia
agoraphobia a pathological fear of being in public places, often resulting in the sufferer becoming housebound agoraphobia[ə‚gȯr·ə′fōb·ē·ə] (psychology) Abnormal fear of open places. agoraphobia
Agoraphobia DefinitionThe word agoraphobia is derived from Greek words literally meaning "fear of the marketplace." The term is used to describe an irrational and often disabling fear of being out in public.DescriptionAgoraphobia is just one type of phobia, or irrational fear. People with phobias feel dread or panic when they face certain objects, situations, or activities. People with agoraphobia frequently also experience panic attacks, but panic attacks, or panic disorder, are not a requirement for a diagnosis of agoraphobia. The defining feature of agoraphobia is anxiety about being in places from which escape might be embarrasing or difficult, or in which help might be unavailable. The person suffering from agoraphobia usually avoids the anxiety-provoking situation and may become totally housebound.Causes and symptomsAgoraphobia is the most common type of phobia, and it is estimated to affect between 5-12% of Americans within their lifetime. Agoraphobia is twice as common in women as in men and usually strikes between the ages of 15-35.The symptoms of the panic attacks which may accompany agoraphobia vary from person to person, and may include trembling, sweating, heart palpitations (a feeling of the heart pounding against the chest), jitters, fatigue, tingling in the hands and feet, nausea, a rapid pulse or breathing rate, and a sense of impending doom.Key termsBenzodiazepines — A group of tranquilizers often used to treat anxiety.Desensitization — A treatment for phobias which involves exposing the phobic person to the feared situation. It is often used in conjunction with relaxation techniques.Phobia — An intense and irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation.Agoraphobia and other phobias are thought to be the result of a number of physical and environmental factors. For instance, they have been associated with biochemical imbalances, especially related to certain neurotransmitters (chemical nerve messengers) in the brain. People who have a panic attack in a given situation (e.g., a shopping mall) may begin to associate the panic with that situation and learn to avoid it. According to some theories, irrational anxiety results from unresolved emotional conflicts. All of these factors may play a role to varying extents in different cases of agoraphobia.DiagnosisPeople who suffer from panic attacks should discuss the problem with a physician. The doctor can diagnose the underlying panic or anxiety disorder and make sure the symptoms aren't related to some other underlying medical condition.The doctor makes the diagnosis of agoraphobia based primarily on the patient's description of his or her symptoms. The person with agoraphobia experiences anxiety in situations where escape is difficult or help is unavailable-or in certain situations, such as being alone. While many people are somewhat apprehensive in these situations, the hallmark of agoraphobia is that a person's active avoidance of the feared situation impairs his or her ability to work, socialize, or otherwise function.TreatmentTreatment for agoraphobia usually consists of both medication and psychotherapy. Usually, patients can benefit from certain antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), or sertraline (Zoloft). In addition, patients may manage panic attacks in progress with certain tranquilizers called benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonipin).The mainstay of treatment for agoraphobia and other phobias is cognitive behavioral therapy. A specific technique that is often employed is called desensitization. The patient is gradually exposed to the situation that usually triggers fear and avoidance, and, with the help of breathing or relaxation techniques, learns to cope with the situation. This helps break the mental connection between the situation and the fear, anxiety, or panic. Patients may also benefit from psychodynamically oriented psychotherapy, discussing underlying emotional conflicts with a therapist or support group.PrognosisWith proper medication and psychotherapy, 90% of patients will find significant improvement in their symptoms.ResourcesPeriodicalsForsyth, Sondra. "I Panic When I'm Alone." Mademoiselle April 1998: 119-24.OrganizationsAmerican Psychiatric Association. 1400 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005. (888) 357-7924. http://www.psych.org.Anxiety Disorders Association of America. 11900 Park Lawn Drive, Ste. 100, Rockville, MD 20852. (800) 545-7367. http://www.adaa.org.National Institute of Mental Health. Mental Health Public Inquiries, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15C-05, Rockville, MD 20857. (888) 826-9438. http://www.nimh.nih.gov.agoraphobia [ag″or-ah-fo´be-ah] an anxiety disorder characterized by intense, irrational fear of open spaces, especially a marked fear of being alone or of being in public places where escape would be difficult or help might be unavailable. It may be associated with panic attacks (see panic disorder) or may occur independently (officially called agoraphobia without history of panic disorder).agoraphobia without history of panic disorder agoraphobia with fear of having an attack of one or only a few incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms, which the person may or may not have had in the past, rather than a full panic attack.a·gor·a·pho·bi·a (ag'ōr-ă-fō'bē-ă), Avoid the mispronunciation agor'aphobia. Do not confuse this word with acarophobia or acrophobia.A mental disorder characterized by an irrational fear of leaving the familiar setting of home, or venturing into the open, so pervasive that a large number of external life situations are entered into reluctantly or are avoided; often associated with panic attacks. [G. agora, marketplace, + phobos, fear] agoraphobia (ə-gôr′ə-fō′bē-ə, ăg′ər-ə-)n. An anxiety disorder characterized by intense fear or anxiety about being in open or public places.
a·gor′a·phobe′ n.a·gor′a·pho′bi·ac′ (-ăk′) n.a·gor′a·pho′bic adj. & n.Agoraphobia Morbid fear of open spaces, crowded public places (markets, malls, crowds) or leaving home. Agoraphobia differs from phobic states which are more limited and are evoked by a specific palette of situations. It is characterised by generalised anxiety and is associated with panic attacks. It has an early adult onset, 2:1 female:male ratio, often arises in an abnormal physiologic and psychologic substrate and responds poorly to therapy.agoraphobia Psychology Fear of open spaces or of being in crowded, public places like markets; fear of leaving a safe place. See Phobia. Cf Monophobia, PAD syndrome. ag·or·a·pho·bi·a (ag'ŏr-ă-fō'bē-ă) A mental disorder characterized by an irrational fear of leaving the familiar setting of home, or venturing into the open; often associated with panic attacks. [G. agora, marketplace, + phobos, fear]agoraphobia An abnormal fear of open spaces or of being alone or in public places. Agoraphobia may be so severe that the sufferer refuses to leave his or her own home and becomes permanently house-bound. It is the commonest of the phobias. The term derives from the Greek agora , an open assembly place or market and phobia , fear or horror.ag·or·a·pho·bi·a (ag'ŏr-ă-fō'bē-ă) Mental disorder characterized by irrational fear of leaving the familiar setting of home or venturing into the open. [G. agora, marketplace, + phobos, fear]agoraphobia
Related to agoraphobia: social phobiaWords related to agoraphobianoun a morbid fear of open spaces (as fear of being caught alone in some public place)Related Words- phobia
- phobic disorder
- phobic neurosis
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