Agoraphobia--a safety-signal perspective

The addition of a ‘safety perspective’ to the construal of agoraphobia as avoidance behaviour is proposed as a means of addressing several theoretical problems. Regarding agoraphobia as a balance between danger and safety signals enables one to re-examine the problem of the undue persistence of the avoidance behaviour component. It also opens for consideration the ‘non-exposure’ onset of agoraphobia (e.g. after loss or bereavements), the age of onset, the sex ratio, the role of trusted companions and talismen. A method for studying safety signals and safety factors is adumbrated, and some predictions are made. The advantages and limitations of the ‘safety perspective’ are considered.