real or anticipated exposure to a wide range of situations (Criterion A). The diagnosis re-
quires endorsement of symptoms occurring in at least two of the following five situations:
1) using public transporation, such as automobiles, buses, trains, ships, or planes; 2) being
in open spaces, such as parking lots, marketplac es, or bridges; 3) being in enclosed spaces,
such as shops, theaters, or cine mas; 4) standing in line or being in a crowd; or 5) being out-
side of the home alone. The examples for each situation are not exha ustive; other situations
may be feared. When experienci ng fear and anxiety cued by such situations, individuals
typically experience thoughts that something terrible might happen (Criterion B). Individ-
uals frequently believe that esca pe from such situations might be difficult (e.g., “can’t get
out of here”) or that help might be unavaila ble (e.g., “there is nobody to help me”) when
panic-like symptoms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms occur. “Panic-like
symptoms” refer to any of the 13 symptoms incl uded in the criteria for panic attack, such as
dizziness, faintness, and fear of dying. “Other incapacitating or  embarrassing symptoms”
include symptoms such as vomiting and inflammatory bowel symptoms, as well as, in
older adults, a fear of falling or, in children, a sense of disorientation and getting lost. 
The amount of fear experience d may vary with proximity to the feared situation and
may occur in anticipation of or  in the actual presence of the agoraphobic situation. Also,
the fear or anxiety may take the form of a full- or limited-symp tom panic attack (i.e., an ex-