But they retain insight and recognize the excessiveness of their anxiety. Agoraphobia is more common than panic disorder. Symptoms and Signs Agoraphobia, translated literally, means fear of the marketplace or of open spaces. More specifically, it involves anticipatory anxiety about and a desire to avoid situations in which a person might be trapped without a graceful way to leave if anxiety develops. Thus, standing in lines at a bank or at the supermarket checkout, sitting in the middle of a long row in a theater or classroom, and using public transportation, such as a bus or an airplane, are difficult for persons with agoraphobia.
Some persons develop agoraphobia after a panic attack in a typical agoraphobic situation.
Others simply feel uncomfortable in such a situation and may never, or only later, have panic attacks there. Agoraphobia often interferes with function, and if it is severe enough, a person may become housebound. If untreated, agoraphobia usually waxes and wanes in severity and may disappear without formal treatment, possibly because some affected persons conduct their own form of behavior therapy. If agoraphobia interferes with functioning, treatment usually can substantially alleviate distress and dysfunction. Patients who are substantially depressed may require an antidepressant.