Agora is defined as an open urban area in the Greek classical age, where citizens gathered to discuss the administrative, political and commercial affairs of a site. In other words, it became a concept used for open spaces throughout the process. Phobia was used to mean fear, and while agoraphobia was initially defined as the fear of open spaces, its content was later changed. If they experience panic attacks and similar situations in any environment, they are afraid of not being able to get help, of not being able to get out, of getting worse again in closed-crowded spaces, of not being taken out of these environments and not being able to be rushed to the hospital or emergency room, or of being embarrassed in these environments, or of doing something stupid. They do not want to go to crowded places such as cinemas, markets, or shopping malls alone, thinking that if I have a heart attack or lose my mind, there will be no one to help me. Most of the time, they do not want to be left alone at home, thinking that it will not be possible to get help.
The most common examples of agoraphobia: Being in the marketplace, a large store or shopping place; traveling by public transportation such as bus, train, ferry, plane; being in public places, in crowds, on busy streets; traveling by car, especially in congested areas; crossing the bridge; is waiting in the queue. The main characteristics of agoraphobics are that they avoid situations in which they feel fear and anxiety. The severity of the fear experienced is related to the degree of avoidance. When the disease is mild, agoraphobic people can tolerate being in these situations, albeit with difficulty, and their avoidance is less. As the intensity of fear and anxiety increases, avoidance behavior becomes more evident and life becomes more restricted. In the most severe case of the disease, the person becomes socially isolated and confined to the house. He becomes unable to leave the house unless accompanied by a trusted relative. Sometimes, even being alone at home is avoided.
According to the DSM-5 diagnostic book, the latest updated version of which the American Psychiatric Association determines the diagnostic criteria for psychiatric diseases, the diagnostic criteria for agoraphobia are as follows.
A. Significant fear or anxiety about two (or more) of the following five situations.
1. Using public transportation ( ex. automobiles, buses, trains, ships, planes).
2. Being in open places (e.g. parking lots, shopping malls, bridges).
3. Being in closed places (e.g. shops, theatres, cinemas).
4. Do not wait in line or be in a crowded place.
5. Don't be out of the house alone.
B. The person fears or avoids such situations because he or she believes that escape may be difficult or that he or she may not be able to get help if panic-like or other symptoms that are disabling or embarrassing (e.g., fear of falling in the elderly; fear of wetting oneself) are present.
C. Situations that cause agoraphobia almost always cause fear or anxiety.
D. Situations that cause agoraphobia are actively avoided, a companion is needed, or are endured with intense fear or anxiety.
E. The fear or anxiety felt is disproportionate to the actual danger posed by the situations that cause agoraphobia and to the socio-cultural context.
F. Fear, anxiety, or avoidance is a persistent condition, lasting six months or longer.
G. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
The diagnosis of agoraphobia is irrespective of whether panic disorder is present. is made.
If the person's clinical presentation meets the diagnostic criteria for both panic disorder and agoraphobia
, both diagnoses are made together.
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