Anxiety disorders are relatively common worldwide, affecting approximately 16.6% of the global population. Only recently, however, have researchers attempted to study anxiety disorders by population. Here is some information on the prevalence of agoraphobia and social phobia in varying groups of people.
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is difficult to study by analyzing previous research, as for many years agoraphobia was considered a diagnosis completely separate from panic disorder. When the DSM-III-R (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 3rd Ed., Revised) was released, agoraphobia became a secondary disorder and was connected to panic disorder. In the current DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th Ed.), agoraphobia is considered a separate condition only if the criteria are not met for panic disorder.
Nonetheless, some information on the prevalence of agoraphobia can be deduced. Agoraphobia appears to be much more prevalent in women than in men across every age group. The condition is also much more common in African Americans than in either whites or Hispanics. Agoraphobia also appears to be more prevalent in lower income brackets and those who are not employed outside of the home.
Social Phobia
Lifetime rates of social phobia vary dramatically between countries. It is estimated that approximately 45.6% of the population of Udmurtia, Udumurt Republic (part of the Russian Federation) suffers from social phobia. On average, however, approximately 3.6% of the world population experiences social phobia.
Social phobia is much more prevalent among women than men. Rates are higher among younger adults (those under age 30) and students. Social phobia appears to be more prevalent among those with lower incomes and less education.
Conclusion
More research must be conducted in order to determine exactly how prevalent different types of phobias are among different populations. However, some conclusions can be drawn that start to show specific risk factors that increase the risk of developing a phobia.
Source:Friedman, Steven. Cultural Issues in the Treatment of Anxiety. 1997. New York: Guilford Press.
