Alton Street Surgery Patient Information Leaflet

Agoraphobia

What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia literally means 'fear of the market place'. People with agoraphobia usually fear open spaces or crowded places, for example, parks, supermarkets, or shopping malls. They can also become anxious and fearful in situations that may be difficult or embarrassing to escape from, because they feel trapped. People who have this phobia worry that they will not be able to get help if they have a panic attack or panic-like symptoms. Some sufferers are completely housebound, but, in about one third of cases, the person can face their feared situation accompanied by a trusted companion.

Who gets it?
Agoraphobia is a quite common, but many people never seek help. It affects three times as many women as men, and tends to occur between the late teens and mid-thirties. It can often be traced to some sudden loss or separation occurring in childhood.

What are the symptoms of a panic attack?
Panic attacks are unpredictable. They involve sudden feelings of intense, overwhelming fear and anxiety, accompanied by symptoms such as breathlessness, sweating, shaking, faintness and nausea. During an attack, the sufferer may feel as though they are choking, parts of the body go numb or start to tingle, and they may have chest pains. It is common for people who have suffered a panic attack to go to hospital believing they have suffered a heart attack.

What is the treatment for agoraphobia?
Unfortunately untreated agoraphobia can worsen to such an extent that fear and avoidance behaviour dominate a person's life and they refuse to leave their house. Treatment by a doctor is often helpful. This usually involves a combination of drugs, psychotherapy and counselling. It may be helpful to join a self-help group.

Useful sources of information:
The National Phobic Society, 4 Cheltenham Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester M21 9QN. Telephone: 0161 227 9898. Website: http://www.phobics-society.org.uk

First Steps to Freedom, 7 Avon Court, School Lane, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2GX
Telephone: 01926 864473. Fax: 870 164 0567. Website: http://www.firststeps.demon.co.uk

This patient information leaflet has been adapted from an original published by Clinnix Pro, Synigence PLC