[Acute anxiety attacks and phobia. Historical aspects and clinical manifestations of the agoraphobia syndrome].

This article describes the evolution of the concept of agoraphobia since its initial description in 1871 until its inclusion in the most recent american diagnostic classifications. In most cases, agoraphobia appears to be secondary to the occurrence of repeated panic attacks, that may also lead to the development of chronic generalized anxiety or hypochondriac syndromes. The main clinical, biological and therapeutic features of panic disorders, a clinical entity that is part of the previous syndromes, are reviewed and discussed according to the most recent studies. Panic disorders appear to be distinct from mood disorders but their relationship to other anxiety disorders is still a matter of controversy.