Agoraphobia may develop in adolescents, particularly those who have panic attacks Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks that occur at least once a week. A panic attack is a brief (about 20-minute) episode of intense fear that is usually accompanied by physical... read more , but is uncommon in children.
(See also Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents Overview of Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents Anxiety disorders are characterized by fear, worry, or dread that greatly impairs the ability to function and is out of proportion to the circumstances. There are many types of anxiety disorders... read more and Agoraphobia Agoraphobia Agoraphobia is fear or anxiety about being in situations or places with no way to escape easily or in which help might not be available if intense anxiety develops. These situations or places... read more in adults.)
Symptoms
Adolescents experience intense fear or anxiety during or before activities such as
Using public transportation
Being in open spaces
Being in enclosed public spaces (such as a store or movie theater)
Standing in line or being in a crowd
Being outside the home alone
Adolescents may have panic attacks Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks that occur at least once a week. A panic attack is a brief (about 20-minute) episode of intense fear that is usually accompanied by physical... read more when they try to do the distressing activity. They may then avoid that activity.
Diagnosis
A visit with a doctor or behavioral health specialist
Sometimes questionnaires about symptoms
Symptoms
For agoraphobia to be diagnosed, the fear or anxiety must be unreasonable and
Persist for 6 months or more
Cause significant distress
Interfere with social, academic, or other functions
Treatment
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy Behavioral therapy Extraordinary advances have been made in the treatment of mental illness. As a result, many mental health disorders can now be treated nearly as successfully as physical disorders. Most treatment... read more is especially useful for agoraphobia symptoms.
Medications rarely help adolescents with agoraphobia, except to help control panic attacks Panic Disorder in Children and Adolescents Panic disorder is characterized by panic attacks that occur at least once a week. A panic attack is a brief (about 20-minute) episode of intense fear that is usually accompanied by physical... read more .
