The relationship between the symptomatology of agoraphobia and from whom treatment is received

Abstract

Studies suggest that Agoraphobia is a more complex disorder than is presented by the current DSM-111-R classification. The present study was designed to determine if degree of incapacitation by agoraphobic symptoms determines who proffers treatment to the agoraphobic as well as how the G. P. (as primary caregiver) deals with agoraphobia. Results suggest that more incapacitated agoraphobics, as compared to less incapacitated agoraphobics, are treated by a psychiatrist. Secondly, results suggest that G.P.'s treat mild cases of agoraphobia themselves. Although results did not support the hypothesis that psychiatrists would treat more incapacitated agoraphobics more often than other caregivers, results did show that, when G.P.'s did make referrals, they tend to make significantly more referrals to psychiatrists. The theoretical implications and needs of future research, based on these results, are discussed.