What it is
Avoiding feared situations brings short-term relief but tends to make the fear stronger over time, and for some people life becomes limited to home.
Treatment with talking therapies, especially cognitive behavioural therapy with gradual exposure, works well. Some people also benefit from medicine.
Common signs
- Fear of leaving home, using public transport or being in crowds
- Panic symptoms such as a racing heart, sweating or breathlessness in those situations
- Avoiding places or needing someone with you
How it is usually diagnosed
- A conversation with a GP, psychologist or psychiatrist about symptoms and how they affect daily life
- Questionnaires about anxiety; sometimes tests to rule out physical causes of symptoms
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Assessment letters from mental health services
- Notes on therapy sessions and the goals you agreed
- A record of any medicines, doses and changes
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which therapy do you recommend, and can it be done at home or online at first?
- How long does treatment usually take?
- What can family members do to help?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life: call 112 or a crisis line now
- Chest pain that does not settle, to rule out a physical cause
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.