Agoraphobia Definitions and Symptoms

Agoraphobia Symptoms - Part 2: Avoidance Behavior

People with agoraphobia avoid places or situations in which making a quick exit due to a panic attack would be embarrassing, or in which no one is around to help if they have a panic attack or other emergency.

Common situations avoided by people with agoraphobia are:

• being outdoors
• being away from home alone
• being in crowds
• sitting in a middle row in a theater
• standing in lines
• taking an elevator
• crossing a bridge
• driving a car (especially in heavy traffic)
• using public transportation like buses and planes

Many people with agoraphobia avoid going anywhere that is beyond a certain distance from their home, unless it is a "safe" place or they are with a "safe" person.

Because of the dire need to avoid unsafe places and the possibility of a dreaded panic attack, people with agoraphobia become masters at making up excuses to explain their avoidance behavior.