| Prevalence |
Up to 2% of people worldwide will develop agoraphobia at some point in their lives (Somers et al., 2006). |
| Comorbidity |
About half of people with agoraphobia will also have another anxiety disorder (including panic disorder), the symptoms of which predate the agoraphobia. Depression and substance use disorders are also common comorbid disorders, but unlike with other anxiety disorders, these disorders tend to emerge after the agoraphobia. |
| Onset |
Two-thirds of people with agoraphobia develop it before age 35. About half of people with agoraphobia report having had panic attacks or panic disorder before developing agoraphobia. |
| Course |
Agoraphobia is a chronic mental disorder, persisting over time unless treated. More than one-third of people with this disorder are completely housebound. |
| Gender Differences |
Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with agoraphobia. |
| Cultural Differences |
People with agoraphobia in Hong Kong also have a fear of being a burden to others or making others worry (Hui et al., 2012). |
| Source: Unless otherwise noted, information in the table is from American Psychiatric Association, 2013. |