Agoraphobia Definitions and Symptoms

Agoraphobia Symptoms - Part 1: Panic Attacks

Most people with agoraphobia have frequent panic attacks. A panic attack is period of intense fear that usually lasts about ten minutes or so (but sometimes longer), in which you experience at least four of the following symptoms:

• rapid heartbeat
• sweating
• trembling or shaking
• shallow breathing or feeling short of breath
• feeling of choking or smothering
• chest pain or discomfort
• nausea or abdominal distress
• feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint
• feelings of unreality or detachment numbness or tingling sensations
• chills or hot flashes
• numbness or tingling sensations
• chills or hot flashes
• fear of losing control
• fear of going crazy
• fear of dying

A panic attack is a torturous emotional and physical experience. Most people who have even one panic attack will do almost anything to avoid having another one. Agoraphobia occurs when avoidance behavior gets severe enough to disrupt your ability to go to school, work, stores, public events, etc.