A 30-year-old lady every time she leaves the house experiences palpitation and difficulty in breathing. She has to rush back into her house to allay her anxiety with a drink. What is the single most likely diagnosis?
a. Social phobia
b. Agarophobia
c. Panic attack
d. Hysteria
e. Arachnophobia
Ans. The key is B. Agarophobia. [Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn’t be available if things go wrong.
Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it’s actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be scared of:
travelling on public transport
visiting a shopping centre
leaving home