Agoraphobia:

Agoraphobia is a serious anxiety disorder involving an excessive, irrational fear and avoidance of public situations that might cause panic and feelings of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. Fear can also stem from anticipation, like standing in line, being in a crowd, or using public transportation. Most people with agoraphobia develop it after one or more panic attacks, causing them to worry about having another attack and then avoiding places where it may reoccur. In severe cases, agoraphobic fear causes a person not to leave their home unless accompanied by a trusted family member or friend. For the first time in DSM–5, agoraphobia and panic disorder are treated as separate entities with separate criteria; their combined presence is considered two diagnoses. Agoraphobia with panic disorder occurs in 3.5% of adults. Treatment can be challenging because people are reluctant to confront their fears. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication help people have a full life.

• Agoraphobia with Panic Disorder: Some see agoraphobia as a development stage to forming panic disorder. Despite this comorbidity’s prevalence, it’s often under-recognized and under-treated.
• Agoraphobia without Panic Disorder, also called Primary Agoraphobia can be triggered by irrational fears with embarrassing or incapacitating panic-like sensations, but without a history of unexpected and repeated panic attacks. Such people are more likely to be disabled, to be female, have more comorbid disorders, and score higher on assessments for neuroticism.