Criteria for Agoraphobia 300.01
Agoraphobia DSM-IV-TR Criteria
Here is the criteria for Agoraphobia:
Note: Agoraphobia is not a codable disorder. Code the specific disorder in which the Agoraphobia occure (e.g. 300.21 Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia (p.441) or 300.22 Agoraphobia Without History of Panic Disorder (p.441)
A. Anxiety about being in places or situation from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or situationally predisposed Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms. Agoraphobic fears typically involve characteristic clusters of situation that include being outside the home alone; being in a crowd or standing in a line; being on a bridge; and traveling in a bus, train, or automobile.
Note: Consider the diagnosis of Specific Phobia if the avoidance is limited to one or only a few specific situation or Social Phobia if the avoidance is limited to social situations.
B. The situations are avoided (e.g., travel is restricted) or else are endured with marked distress or withe anxiety about having a Panic Attack or panic-like symptoms, or require the presence of a companion.
C. The anxiety or phobic avoidance is not better accounted for by another mental disorder, such as Social Phobia (e.g., avoidance limited to social situations because of fear of embarrassment), Specific Phobia (e.g., avoidance of dirt in someone with an obsession about contamination), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (e.g., avoidance of stimuli associated with a severe stressor), or Separation Anxiety Dosorder (e.g., avoidance of leaving home or relatives).
My Note On Agoraphobia DSM-IV-TR Criteria
The APA’s DSM-IV is the bestseller that is used by MD’s to recognize psychological disorders including agoraphobia. This handbook has been employed since 1952 and has been altered many times to the present DSM-IV-TR. The coming update of the textbook is due in May of 2013. This textbook covers the broad continuum of psycholigical disorders ranging from childhood disorders to mood disorders to psychotic disorders. The essence of this bestseller was to assist with the aim of research and getting remuneration for mental disorders.
Indeed, the classification of mental disorders has helped with compensation for mental health issues including agoraphobia. With raised reimbursement comes more doctors willing to treat these illnesses. There have been important advances in pharmacology treatments for mental disorders over the last several decades. The same can be pronounced for the behavioral strategy now being exercised in mental health. Most of all, it has increased the accepting of people getting aid with mental health problems.
I am largely looking at the anxiety disorders on this site, so I have provided the definitions of these disorders from that textbook for your advantage. The programs that I advocate include Panic Away, The Linden Method, and EasyCalm challenge the idea of anxiety disorders. I think this is more of an stab to have citizens gather they have dominion over their rehabilitation from a particular disorder. I agree in that I have seen scores of patients persist in the idea of them having a disorder and thereby unable to change.
As you can see, several of the criteria in the text are quite vague. I believe folks don’t need to always meet all the list for a disorder to have the problem. There is room for MD’s to diagnose and treat folks in this method. It is important to keep in mind why the criteria were formed and the adaptability allowed. I have faith folks will get aid whether they wish to say it a disorder or not.
Dr.Rich is a psychiatrist who writes about mental health related topics focusing on anxiety disorders, agoraphobia, and substance abuse on various blogs as he realizes anxiety and substance abuse occur together. You can find information about opioid dependence and what is suboxone. Skip to our other sections:
Anxiety Information | Panic Attacks| Social Anxiety| Generalized Anxiety| Stress Management
{ 4 trackbacks }