218 Anxiety Disorders
toms or other incapacitating or embarrassing symptoms (e.g., fear of falling in the el-
derly; fear of incontinence).
C. The agoraphobic situations almost always provoke fear or anxiety. 
D. The agoraphobic situations are actively avoi ded, require the presence of a companion,
or are endured with intense fear or anxiety. 
E. The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual danger posed by the agoraphobic
situations and to the sociocultural context.
F. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is persistent, typically lasting for 6 months or more. 
G. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance causes clin ically significant distress or impairment in
social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
H. If another medical condition (e.g., inflammato ry bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease)
is present, the fear, anxiety, or avoidance is clearly excessive. 
I. The fear, anxiety, or avoidance is not better explained by the symptoms of another men-
tal disorder—for example, the symptoms are not confined to specific phobia, situational
type; do not involve only social situations (as in social anxiety disorder); and are not re-
lated exclusively to obsessions (as in obsessive-compulsive disorder), perceived defects
or flaws in physical appearance (as in body dysmorphic disorder), reminders of traumatic
events (as in posttraumatic stress disorder), or fear of separation (as in separation anx-
iety disorder).
Note: Agoraphobia is diagnosed irrespective of the presence of panic disorder. If an indi-
vidual’s presentation meets criteria for panic disorder and agoraphobia, both diagnoses
should be assigned.
Diagnostic Features
The essential feature of agoraphobia is marked, or intense, fear or anxiety triggered by the