Perlmutter, Richard A. "Psychopharmacology of Attachment: Effects of Successful Agoraphobia Treatment on Marital Relationships." Family Systems Medicine 8.3 (1990): 279-84. ProQuest. Web. 15 Aug. 2024.

Derived from the Greek for 'fear of the marketplace,' agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder defined by intense fear and avoidance of situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if panic symptoms arise. Such situations often include using public transportation, being in open areas like parking lots, enclosed spaces like stores, crowded places, or being outside the home alone.

Agoraphobia

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

The translational value of the open field test has been validated in humans with agoraphobia. In this study, individuals with agoraphobia (AP), along with age-matched healthy controls (HC), were instructed to first walk freely around a soccer field. AP participants spent significantly more time closer to the edges of the soccer field than the HC group. Additionally, all participants were given a specific destination within the city, and their routes were remotely monitored. The GPS data shows that most AP participants avoided crossing the market square, which in this study is considered the open field. HC participants crossed the market square, as this provided the shortest route to the destination. This data provides evidence that thigmotaxis can be demonstrated in humans and is related to anxiety disorders such as agoraphobia.

Applications of the open field test

Patients must have fear for at least 6 months with at least 2 of the following situations:

- Using public transport
- Being in open spaces 
- Being in an enclosed place (eg, shop, theater)
- Standing in line or being in a crowd
- Being alone outside the home

The fear must involve thoughts around the fact that escaping and getting help would be difficult. In addition:

- The situation must always trigger anxiety
- The situation must always be avoided or require a companion
- The fear is unreasonable
- The fear causes significant distress and interference

DSM-5 Criteria for Agoraphobia

Reference for Role of Spouse in Agoraphobia Treatment

Within the United States, the lifetime prevalence of agoraphobia is estimated to be about 1.4%, meaning this percentage of the population will experience the disorder at some point.

Prevalence of Agoraphobia

An individual experiences intense anxiety about being in situations like crowded shopping malls or on public buses. Their primary concern is the thought of having a panic attack and being unable to escape or find help. Consequently, they have started to avoid these situations entirely. This specific pattern of fear and avoidance, centered on the difficulty of escape during panic, is the central feature of:

Learn Before

Related