Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes an intense fear of situations where escape might be difficult or where help may not be available if anxiety escalates.
This can lead to avoidance behaviours, where individuals stop going to certain places or doing certain activities due to fear of experiencing a panic attack.
Common triggers for agoraphobia include:
- Public transport (buses, trains, airplanes)
- Crowded places (shopping centres, concerts, queues)
- Enclosed spaces (elevators, small rooms)
- Open spaces (parks, bridges, parking lots
- Being outside alone
While it often develops alongside panic disorder, not everyone with agoraphobia experiences panic attacks. Some may simply feel overwhelming distress or a strong urge to avoid specific situations.