Agoraphobia
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
Agoraphobia is a condition that causes strong anxiety and panic. Symptoms are triggered when you do not feel safe and cannot escape easily. Some examples are when you are in an elevator, on public transportation, or in a large crowd. You may fear you will be embarrassed when you panic. Your fears may make it hard for you to work or be involved in activities you enjoy.
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have sudden trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat. The symptoms are worse or last longer than you regularly experience when you panic.
- You think about hurting or killing yourself.
Call your doctor or therapist if:
- You have trouble sleeping, or are sleeping more than usual.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Antianxiety medicine help decrease your feelings of fear or anxiety. You may be given a limited amount to help with your symptoms until you can follow up with your healthcare provider.
- Antidepressants help decrease anxiety and depression. It may take several weeks for you to feel better. Do not stop taking your medicine before you talk to your healthcare provider.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions
Nortriptyline
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant and is used to treat symptoms of depression. Includes ...
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Therapy:
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) helps you understand agoraphobia and find ways to control your anxiety. You learn which thoughts bring anxiety, and how to change them and work through them.
- Exposure therapy , or desensitization therapy, helps you face a feared situation. The goal of desensitization therapy is to help decrease your fear or anxiety.
Manage agoraphobia:
- Cope with anxiety in a healthy way. Do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or smoke cigarettes to control your anxiety. Practice the other ways you have learned to cope during therapy. Bring someone you trust when you face your fears if this will help you cope.
- Keep a diary. Write down how you feel during certain situations. You can include what you did to cope with your fear. The diary will help you and your healthcare provider see if you have less anxiety over time. Take your diary with you every time you visit your provider.
Follow up with your doctor or therapist as directed:
You will need to follow up on a regular basis. Tell your doctor or therapist if your symptoms are getting better. Depending on your symptoms, your medicine may need to be changed. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
For more information:
- Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA)
8730 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600
Silver Spring , MD 20910
Phone: 1- 240 - 485-1001
Web Address: http://www.adaa.org
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Office of Science Policy, Planning, and Communications
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6200, MSC 9663
Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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