Agoraphobia

If you think you have agoraphobia, and the anxiety is interfering with your daily life, you should talk to a primary care physician or a mental healthcare provider, like a psychiatrist or psychologist. If you’re afraid to visit a medical office in person, you may be able to schedule a telephone or video appointment.

The healthcare provider may ask you:

• Do you get stressed about leaving your house?
• Are there any places or situations you avoid because you’re afraid? Why does it cause fear?
• Do you rely on others to do your shopping and errands?

A healthcare provider can diagnose agoraphobia based on your symptoms, how often they happen and how severe they are. It’s important to be open and honest with your providers. Your provider may diagnose agoraphobia if you meet specific standards developed by the American Psychiatric Association. To have a diagnosis of agoraphobia, a person must feel extreme fear or panic in at least two of the following situations:

• Using public transportation.
• Being in an open space.
• Being in an enclosed space, such as a movie theater, meeting room or small store.
• Standing in a line or being in a crowd.
• Being out of their home alone.