Agoraphobia. Is fear the basis of symptoms?

All human beings are biologic, psychological, and sociologic creatures. The treatment program for agoraphobia at the University of Kansas Medical Center School of Medicine, Kansas City, is designed to deal effectively with problems in these three areas. The biologic area is dealt with by medication; tricyclic antidepressants are used to block panic attacks, and benzodiazepines are given, as needed, for anticipatory anxiety. Group therapy is particularly effective in the areas of individual psychopathology and social anxiety. We have not found agoraphobia difficult to treat and have demonstrated that it can be cured. The track record of primary care physicians and specialists in diagnosing and managing agoraphobia so far leaves much to be desired. If physicians obtain the appropriate history at initial contact with a patient and administer appropriate treatment, it may be possible to prevent full-blown agoraphobia from developing.