Date: 12/20/25 Writer:Chanele Gelardi
👇🎧Audio narrated article; original:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GivYjMlvlw8U9I8DCf2Vs?si=3DLwWvByToyKf9_aGJ-ukw
📖Read Article here: dated: 10/15/25 The Truth Behind My Mental Health Struggles (Agoraphobia Edition) — No Filters, Just Reality👇
https://kilov3.com/2025/10/15/the-truth-behind-my-mental-health-struggles-no-filters-just-reality/
Citation page below 👇
Quick Disability /Justice Reference Links:
Americans with Disabilities Act / disability rights links
(primary federal ADA site: guidance, regs, technical assistance):
DOJ Disability Rights Section (ADA enforcement, technical assistance, mediation):
https://www.justice.gov/crt/disability-rights-section
USAGov ADA overview and how to file complaints:
https://www.usa.gov/disability-rights
DSM‑5 fact sheets (free summaries of the POST 2013 edition changes, not the full manual):
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/dsm-5-fact-sheets
Psychiatric association library / reference
APA main books and journal portal (PsychiatryOnline, DSM-5-TR, key journals):
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/education/books-and-journals
American Psychiatric Association digital book collections overview:
https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/apa-publishing-expands-digital-books-collection
APA Melvin Sabshin, M.D. Library and Archives (historical/rare materials):
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/search-directories-databases/library-and-archive
EPISODE NOTES:
Key Facts Referenced
– DSM-5 (2013) separated agoraphobia from panic disorder
– Approximately 1.5% prevalence rate in the general population
– Only ~10% of people with agoraphobia are completely homebound
– Approximately 30% don’t have panic disorder
– DSM-5 requires fear/anxiety about at least 2 of 5 situation types
– Severity specifiers: mild, moderate, severe
– ADA protects individuals with anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia, when they substantially limit major life activities.
Article Citations:
Films Mentioned
Copycat (1995), The Woman in the Window (2021), Inside (2007)
and intruders (2015)
Citations and Fact-Checking References:
“The Agoraphobia Myth: Beyond Homebound Stereotypes”
DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA AND DEFINITIONS
DSM-5 Changes (2013)
Claim: “The American Psychiatric Association made a crucial change in 2013 with the publication of the DSM-5… They separated agoraphobia from panic disorder, making it a standalone diagnosis for the first time.”
Sources:
– American Psychiatric Association. (2013). *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
– Asmundson, G. J. G., Taylor, S., & LeBouthillier, D. M. (2014). Panic disorder and agoraphobia: An overview and commentary on DSM-5 changes. *Depression and Anxiety*, 31(6), 480-486.
– Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). *Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health*. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.
Verification:
Confirmed. The DSM-5, published in 2013, separated panic disorder and agoraphobia into two distinct diagnoses. Previously, in DSM-IV, agoraphobia was primarily diagnosed in relation to panic disorder.
Agoraphobia Without Panic Disorder
Claim:”Research shows that approximately 30% of people with agoraphobia don’t have panic disorder at all.”
Sources:
– Wittchen, H. U., Gloster, A. T., Beesdo-Baum, K., et al. (2010). Agoraphobia: A review of the diagnostic classificatory position and criteria.
*Depression and Anxiety*, 27(2), 113-133.
– Eaton, W. W., Kessler, R. C., Wittchen, H. U., & Magee, W. J. (1994). Panic and panic disorder in the United States. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 151(3), 413-420.
Verification: Confirmed. Research indicates that a substantial portion of individuals with agoraphobia (estimates range from 30% to over 50% in some studies) do not meet criteria for panic disorder.
DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria
Claim:”The DSM-5 defines agoraphobia as marked fear or anxiety about at least two of five specific situations: using public transportation, being in open spaces, being in enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in crowds, or being outside the home alone.”
Sources:
– American Psychiatric Association. (2013). *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
– Balaram, K., & Marwaha, R. (2024). Agoraphobia. In *StatPearls*. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing.
**Verification:** Confirmed. The DSM-5 requires marked fear or anxiety about at least 2 of these 5 agoraphobic situations for diagnosis.
General Population Prevalence
Claim: “About 1.5% of the general population lives with agoraphobia.”
Sources:
– National Institute of Mental Health. *Agoraphobia Statistics*. Based on National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) data.
 – Past year prevalence: 0.9% of U.S. adults
 – Lifetime prevalence: 1.3% of U.S. adults
– Balaram, K., & Marwaha, R. (2024). Agoraphobia. *StatPearls*.
 – Lifetime prevalence: 0.9% in men, 2.0% in women
– Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Agoraphobia: Has COVID fueled this anxiety disorder?
 – Approximately 2% of adults and teens
Verification: Partially accurate. The claim of 1.5% is within range but slightly high. More precise figures show:
– **Past year prevalence:** 0.9%
– **Lifetime prevalence:** 1.3% to 2.0% (varies by study and gender)
Corrected Statement: Approximately 1.3% to 2% of the U.S. population experiences agoraphobia at some point in their lifetime, with past-year prevalence around 0.9%.
Homebound Cases
Claim: “She represents only about 10% of people with agoraphobia.”
Sources:
– Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Agoraphobia: Has COVID fueled this anxiety disorder?
 – States: “Getting over agoraphobia without treatment is difficult (only 10% of people are successful).”
Note: This statistic actually refers to spontaneous remission rates, not the percentage of homebound individuals. The podcast script misattributes this statistic.
Actual Data on Severity:
– National Institute of Mental Health (NCS-R data):
 – 40.6% of adults with past-year agoraphobia had **serious impairment**
 – 30.7% had moderate impairment
 – 28.7% had mild impairment
Verification: The “10%” figure is NOT verified as the percentage of homebound individuals. This is a “script error”that should be corrected. The actual percentage of completely homebound individuals with agoraphobia is not clearly established in the research literature, though severe cases represent approximately 40% of diagnosed cases.
“Recommended Correction: Remove or rephrase the 10% claim. Instead: “In severe cases of agoraphobia, individuals may become homebound—though this represents the most extreme presentation on a spectrum of severity.”
Adolescent Prevalence
Claim: Adolescent rates are higher than the general population.
Sources:
– Merikangas, K. R., et al. (2010). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). *Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry*, 49(10), 980-989.
 – Rate of agoraphobia in adolescents aged 13-18: 2.4%
Verification: Confirmed. Adolescent rates (2.4%) are indeed higher than general adult population rates (0.9% past year, 1.3% lifetime).
Elderly Population
Claim: Higher rates in elderly population.
Sources:
– Ritchie, K., Norton, J., Mann, A., et al. (2013). Late-onset agoraphobia: General population incidence and evidence for a clinical subtype. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 170(7), 790-798.
 – 1-month prevalence in individuals over 65: **10.4%**
 – 4-year incidence rate: 32 per 1,000 person-years
Verification:Confirmed. Late-onset agoraphobia in elderly populations is significantly underreported and may affect up to 10.4% of individuals over 65.
COMORBIDITY
Panic Disorder Comorbidity
Claim:”Approximately 30% of people with agoraphobia don’t have panic disorder.”
Sources:
– Balaram, K., & Marwaha, R. (2024). Agoraphobia. *StatPearls*.
 – Significant comorbidity with panic disorder: 26%
 – This means approximately 74% do NOT have comorbid panic disorder
Verification Confirmed and conservative. The claim of 30% without panic disorder is actually understated—research suggests approximately 50-74% of agoraphobia cases occur without panic disorder.
Other Mental Disorders
**Sources:**
– Balaram, K., & Marwaha, R. (2024). *StatPearls*.
 – Major depressive disorder: 12%
 – Specific phobia: 5%
 – Social phobia: 4%
 – Generalized anxiety disorder: 7%
 – Obsessive-compulsive disorder: 4%
 – Posttraumatic stress disorder: 2%
– DSM-5-TR notes approximately 90% of individuals with agoraphobia have comorbid mental health conditions.
Verification: Confirmed. High comorbidity rates across multiple mental health disorders.
SEVERITY CATEGORIES
DSM-5 Severity Specifiers
Claim:”The DSM-5 includes severity specifiers: mild, moderate, and severe.”
Sources:
– American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
– National Institute of Mental Health (based on Sheehan Disability Scale):
 – Serious impairment: 40.6%
 – Moderate impairment: 30.7%
 – Mild impairment: 28.7%
Verification: Confirmed. DSM-5 includes severity specifiers based on the degree of functional impairment and the number of agoraphobic situations avoided.
FILMS MENTIONED
Movies Depicting Homebound Agoraphobia
**Films Referenced:**
– *Copycat* (1995) – Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Helen Hudson, psychologist unable to leave apartment
– *The Woman in the Window* (2021) – Amy Adams as Anna Fox, homebound due to agoraphobia
– *Inside* (2007) – Horror film featuring homebound protagonist
– *Intruders* (2015) – Thriller with agoraphobic protagonist
Verification: Confirmed. All four films feature protagonists who are completely or nearly completely homebound, reinforcing the most extreme presentation of agoraphobia in popular media.
ADA AND ACCOMMODATIONS
Americans with Disabilities Act Coverage
Claim:Agoraphobia qualifies as a disability under the ADA when it substantially limits major life activities.”
Sources:
– Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended (2008)
– U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). *The ADA: Your responsibilities as an employer*.
– Job Accommodation Network (JAN), Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor
Verification:Confirmed. Anxiety disorders, including agoraphobia, can qualify as disabilities under the ADA when they substantially limit one or more major life activities (e.g., working, interacting with others, traveling).
WORKPLACE ACCOMMODATIONS
Types of Reasonable Accommodations
Examples from the Podcast:
– Remote work or flexible scheduling
– Workspace modifications (near exits, ground floor)
– Alternative meeting attendance methods (video conference)
– Private workspace options
– Modified commute schedules
– Exemptions from elevator use
Sources:
– Job Accommodation Network (JAN). (n.d.). Accommodation and compliance series: Employees with anxiety disorders
– U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Depression, PTSD, & Other Mental Health Conditions in the Workplace: Your legal rights.
Verification:Confirmed. These are all recognized examples of reasonable accommodations for individuals with anxiety disorders including agoraphobia, provided they don’t cause undue hardship to the employer.
PRIVACY INVASION AS TRIGGER
Privacy Violation and Symptom Exacerbation
Claim: “When someone with agoraphobia feels their personal space or privacy is violated, it can dramatically exacerbate their symptoms.”
Sources:
– This specific claim regarding privacy invasion as a trigger is based on clinical understanding of agoraphobia’s core features (fear of being trapped, observed, or unable to escape) rather than specific research studies cited in the search results.
– DSM-5 criteria note that agoraphobia involves fear of situations where “escape might be difficult or help might not be available.”
Verification: Theoretically sound based on DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and clinical conceptualization, but **not directly cited from peer-reviewed research in the search results**. This represents clinical inference rather than empirically established fact.
Recommendation:This section should be presented as a clinical observation and theoretical framework rather than established research finding, or should include specific research citations if available.
Treatment Success Rates
Sources:
– Harvard Health Publishing. (2021). Getting over agoraphobia without treatment is difficult (only **10% of people are successful**).
– Hendriks, G. J., et al. (2012). Cognitive-behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy have been proven highly successful in all age groups.
Verification: Confirmed. Spontaneous remission without treatment is rare (approximately 10%), but evidence-based treatments (CBT and pharmacotherapy) show high success rates.
SUMMARY OF ACCURACY
Accurate Claims:
âś“ DSM-5 separated agoraphobia from panic disorder in 2013
âś“ At least 2 of 5 situations required for diagnosis
✓ Approximately 30% (actually higher) don’t have panic disorder
âś“ Severity specifiers: mild, moderate, severe
âś“ ADA covers agoraphobia as potential disability
âś“ Films perpetuate homebound stereotype
âś“ Higher rates in adolescents (2.4%) and elderly (10.4%)
Needs Correction:
✗ **”10% are homebound”** – This statistic is misattributed (refers to spontaneous remission, not homebound percentage)
✗ **”1.5% prevalence”** – Should be 1.3% lifetime or 0.9% past-year
Privacy invasion claims – Clinically sound but lacks specific research citations
Overall Assessment:
The podcast script is substantially accurate. in its core factual claims, with two notable exceptions that should be corrected. The majority of statistics, diagnostic criteria, and clinical information are well-supported by peer-reviewed research and official diagnostic manuals.
RECOMMENDED CORRECTIONS FOR SCRIPT
1. *Change prevalence statistic:”Approximately 1.3% of the U.S. population will experience agoraphobia at some point in their lifetime, with about 0.9% experiencing it in any given year.”
2. Remove or rephrase the 10% homebound claim:”In the most severe cases, individuals may become completely homebound. While exact percentages are difficult to establish, research shows that about 40% of people with agoraphobia experience serious impairment.”
3. Add disclaimer for privacy invasion section: “While not extensively researched in the literature, clinical experience and the core diagnostic features of agoraphobia suggest that privacy invasions…”
COMPLETE REFERENCE LIST
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). *Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders* (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Asmundson, G. J. G., Taylor, S., & LeBouthillier, D. M. (2014). Panic disorder and agoraphobia: An overview and commentary on DSM-5 changes. *Depression and Anxiety*, 31(6), 480-486.
Balaram, K., & Marwaha, R. (2024). Agoraphobia. In *StatPearls* [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554387/
Eaton, W. W., Kessler, R. C., Wittchen, H. U., & Magee, W. J. (1994). Panic and panic disorder in the United States. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 151(3), 413-420.
Grant, B. F., et al. (2006). The epidemiology of DSM-IV panic disorder and agoraphobia in the United States: Results from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. *Journal of Clinical Psychiatry*, 67(3), 363-374.
Harvard Health Publishing. (2021, May 25). Agoraphobia: Has COVID fueled this anxiety disorder? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/agoraphobia-has-covid-fueled-this-anxiety-disorder-202103152409
Kessler, R. C., Chiu, W. T., Jin, R., Ruscio, A. M., Shear, K., & Walters, E. E. (2006). The epidemiology of panic attacks, panic disorder, and agoraphobia in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. *Archives of General Psychiatry*, 63(4), 415-424.
Merikangas, K. R., He, J. P., Burstein, M., Swanson, S. A., Avenevoli, S., Cui, L., Benjet, C., Georgiades, K., & Swendsen, J. (2010). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication–Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). *Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry*, 49(10), 980-989.
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). *Agoraphobia statistics*. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/agoraphobia
Ritchie, K., Norton, J., Mann, A., Carrière, I., & Ancelin, M. L. (2013). Late-onset agoraphobia: General population incidence and evidence for a clinical subtype. *American Journal of Psychiatry*, 170(7), 790-798.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). *Impact of the DSM-IV to DSM-5 Changes on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health*. Rockville, MD: SAMHSA.
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. (n.d.). *The ADA: Your responsibilities as an employer*. Retrieved from https://www.eeoc.gov/
Wittchen, H. U., Gloster, A. T., Beesdo-Baum, K., Fava, G. A., & Craske, M. G. (2010). Agoraphobia: A review of the diagnostic classificatory position and criteria. Depression and Anxiety, 27(2), 113-133
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