Symptoms:

• Anxiety or panic attack (acute severe anxiety)
• Becoming housebound for prolonged periods of time
• Dependence on others
• Fear of being alone
• Fear of being in places where escape might be difficult
• Fear of losing control in a public place
• Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
• Feelings of helplessness
• Feeling that the body is unreal
• Feeling that the environment is unreal
• Unusual temper or agitation with trembling or twitching

Additional symptoms that may occur:

• Abdominal distress that occurs when upset
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Confused or disordered thoughts
  • Intense fear of dying
  • Intense fear of going crazy
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Heartbeat sensations
• Lightheadedness, near fainting
• Nausea and vomiting
• Numbness and tingling
• Skin flushing

Signs and tests:

The individual may have a history of phobias. Family, friends, or the affected person may tell the health care provider about agoraphobic behavior.

Signs include:

• High blood pressure
• Rapid pulse (heart rate)
• Sweating