Agoraphobia is a disease: a tribute to Sir Martin Roth.
The evidence which has accumulated on the course of agoraphobia challenges the DSM view that phobic avoidance is secondary to panic attacks. In particular, a longitudinal study by Wittchen et al. indicates that agoraphobia, as a diagnostic category, is frequently independent of panic disorder and panic attacks, is unlikely to remit spontaneously and entails compromised quality of life. A staging system of agoraphobia is presented. Panic may ensue in the longitudinal development of agoraphobia, as well as of other anxiety disorders, and be conceptualized as a potential outcome in the course of anxiety, phobias and hypochondriasis as more than a specific disease entity. These recent research findings confirm the clinical observations and phenomenological research of Sir Martin Roth (1917-2006) and call for a reassessment of the concept of neurosis.
Fava
Giovanni A
GA
Affective Disorders Program, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. giovanniandrea.fava@unibo.it
Rafanelli
Chiara
C
Tossani
Eliana
E
Grandi
Silvana
S
D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D018450:Disease Progression; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors