Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that causes an intense fear of becoming overwhelmed or unable to escape or get help. Because of fear and anxiety, people with agoraphobia often avoid new places and unfamiliar situations, like:

• Crowds.
• Places outside of their home.
• Public transportation.

How common is agoraphobia?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of agoraphobia. However, it’s often associated with an existing panic disorder. Panic disorder causes short, intense attacks of fear for no particular reason. About a third of people who have panic disorder develop agoraphobia. But agoraphobia also can occur alone.