In extreme cases, the individual may be a virtual prisoner in his or her home.
Agoraphobia is diagnosed more often in women than in men.
The age of onset is typically the late teens or 20's. Psychiatric intervention usually includes medications to block the anxiety attacks and behavioral therapies such as cognitive-behavior interventions to assist the patient in returning to his or her previous life style. This is accomplished by reducing the anticipatory anxiety of leaving the house. A thorough evaluation is necessary to rule out other disorders, such as, depression.