Agoraphobia

What is agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder in which a person is afraid of feeling unwell in certain situations, such as becoming dizzy or experiencing heart palpitations. They are afraid that they will not be able to get away or that there will be no help available. Agoraphobia is also known as fear of open spaces. People with agoraphobia often avoid crowded places, such as shopping malls, restaurants, queues, public transport, or being outside alone. This can greatly affect their daily lives. Agoraphobia often occurs in combination with panic disorder, but it can also occur independently. Approximately 1-2% of the population experiences agoraphobia.