Agoraphobia
Recognized as the most common phobic disorder,agoraphobia is the fear of being alone in public places frome which the person thinks escape would be difficult or help would be unavailable if he or she were incapacitated,normal activities become restricted and individuals refuse to leave their homes.
Approximately 3.2 million american adults ages 18 to 54 years have agoraphobia. Two thirds of those exhibiting clinical symptoms are women, in whom symptoms develop between the ages of 18 and 35 years. Because some cultural or ethnic groups restrict the participation of women in public life, this practice must be considered before diagnosing an individual with agoraphobia . onset of symptoms may be sudden or gradual. Clients are likely to develop depression,fatigue,tension,and spontaneous obsessive or panic disorders (APA,2000;NIMH,2005).