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Is agoraphobia an
anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobia, or what?
Agoraphobia, according to the DSM-IV R which is the
diagnostic manual psychologists use, is definitely an
anxiety disorder. But which type of anxiety disorder it is
(panic disorder or phobia) depends upon the symptoms.
Let me explain.
Anxiety disorder is the
broad classification. For instance, panic disorders,
obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress
disorder, etc. are all classified as anxiety disorders.
Phobias are also classified as anxiety disorders.
So
the question is - what type of anxiety disorder is
agoraphobia? Is it a panic disorder or phobia?
If
agoraphobia occurs with panic attacks it is called "panic
disorder with agoraphobia" and is considered primarily to be
a form of panic disorder. Panic disorder with agoraphobia is
the most common type of agoraphobia and covers 95% to 99% of
agoraphobia cases. In this case, agoraphobia is a type of
anxiety disorder (broad class), and panic disorder (specific
type of anxiety disorder).
Agoraphobia, in rare cases, occurs without panic attacks.
There are some experts that do not believe this type of
agoraphobia exists at all. Whichever side of the debate you
are on, if agoraphobia (fear of open or public spaces)
occurs without panic attacks, that is when it should be
classified as a pure phobia.
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