psychiatric disorders
Agoraphobia
Introduction
Agoraphobia is intense anxiety and/or avoidance of situations (eg, being in crowds or shopping malls, driving) that may be difficult to leave or in which help is not readily available if incapacitating panic-like symptoms were to develop. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria. Treatment focuses on cognitive-behavioral therapy, specifically, exposure therapy. (See also Overview of Anxiety Disorders .) Agoraphobia is a common consequence of panic disorder, but the 2 disorders can also develop independently. Agoraphobia affects about 2% of the population in a given year and is more common in women ( General reference ). Agoraphobia often develops in adolescence and young adulthood, but it can also develop in older adults, especially in the context of fears about safety and their own physical limitations. 