What is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is an intense fear of being in a wide range of situations from which escape is thought to be difficult. This fear is experienced in situations, including: using modes of transportation (automobiles, buses, trains, airplanes, or ships), open spaces (parking lots, marketplaces, or bridges), closed spaces (movie theaters, stores), standing in a line or being in a crowd of people, or being outside of the home alone. The intense fear results in panic-like symptoms or feelings of incapacitation or embarrassment and is accompanied by concerns that escape or accessing help might not be possible. As a result, the individual avoids these situations or requires that someone accompany him/her in these situations and his or her life can become significantly impaired. Agoraphobia may or may not co-occur with panic disorder.