One of the commonest of the phobias, agoraphobia is also one of the most difficult to treat and is often ill-understood. Originally published in 1989, this valuable review of the effectiveness of various approaches to agoraphobia at the time brings together contributors from all the major mental health professions.

The topics dealt with range widely, from discussions of the nature of the syndrome, through assessments of the effectiveness of exposure (behavioural) treatment and drug treatment, to an analysis of the part played by sex-role stereotyping and social factors in treatment failure and in treatment outcome generally. The contributors’ accounts of the nature and treatment of this crippling problem will be of particular interest to those specializing in the research and treatment of agoraphobia. Today it can be read in its historical perspective.