title: Differential diagnosis and treatment of the "housebound syndrome".
abstract: Not all people who become housebound suffer from agoraphobia. Other emotional illnesses can underlie this behaviour. Early diagnosis is important. Some conditions can be treated by family physicians without special training, and some are appropriately treated only in special settings. This paper describes psychiatric disorders that may present as a "housebound syndrome" and outlines the principles of treatment for each.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010200:Panic / Q000187:drug effects; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012934:Social Isolation; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents