At least two of the five typical situations cause marked fear or anxiety.
DSM-5-TR · anxiety disorder
Could I have agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is marked fear or anxiety about several situations in which escape might feel difficult or help might not be available. Diagnosis is not based on one isolated impression: DSM-5-TR requires a specific pattern of symptoms, sufficient duration and clinically significant distress or impairment.
2/5 + ≥ 6 months
DSM-5-TR
What are the DSM-5-TR criteria?
The points below summarise the diagnostic requirements that define the disorder.
Diagnostic criteria — paraphrased
The person fears that escape may be difficult or help may not be available if panic-like or other highly distressing symptoms occur.
The agoraphobic situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety.
They are avoided, require a companion, or are endured with intense anxiety.
The fear is out of proportion to the actual danger and sociocultural context.
The pattern typically persists for at least six months.
Fear, anxiety or avoidance causes significant distress or functional impairment.
The presentation is not better explained by another mental disorder; if a medical condition is present, the fear must be clearly excessive.
Diagnostic reference: DSM-5-TR (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Wording intentionally paraphrased and concise.
The 5 DSM-5-TR agoraphobic situations
Diagnosis requires marked fear or anxiety in at least two of these situations:
Using public transportation.
Being in open spaces, such as parking areas, markets or bridges.
Being in enclosed places, such as shops, theatres or cinemas.
Standing in line or being in a crowd.
Being outside the home alone.
Differential diagnosis
Agoraphobia, panic disorder or specific phobia?
Agoraphobia can occur with or without panic disorder. Panic disorder centres on recurrent unexpected panic attacks and concern about their consequences. Specific phobia focuses on a particular object or situation. Agoraphobia involves several contexts feared because escape or access to help may seem difficult.
Clinical assessment
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is based on clinical interviewing, the history of symptoms, their frequency and duration, the situations that trigger them, and their functional impact. It is also important to determine whether another mental disorder, a substance, medication or medical condition better explains the presentation. Standardised questionnaires can support the assessment.
Anxiety disorders
Explore the other anxiety disorders
Anxiety symptoms can look similar across disorders. A central question is often what triggers the fear and what the person is actually afraid will happen.
Are you trying to understand the nature of your anxiety?
An emotional and personality assessment can help clarify the type and intensity of anxiety, conditions that may look similar, and the most appropriate next steps.
