Agoraphobia is a form of anxiety disorder that develops when a person feels trapped and helpless in a public or enclosed environment from which it may be difficult to leave.

Agoraphobia’s symptoms may include a fear of:

• Being in crowded areas or waiting in line.
• Leaving the house without a companion.
• Being in open areas like roads, parking lots, or shopping centers.
• Taking a bus, a plane, or a train as public transit.
• Enclosed spaces, such as movie theaters, elevators, or little shops.

The exact cause for agoraphobia is undetermined; nevertheless, theories point to some regularly occurring reasons as follows:

• Early in life, having experienced loss or grief.
• Childhood trauma — for instance, a victim of child sex abuse.
• A history of other mental illnesses.
• Night terrors or early-life fears.
• Having overly protective parents.
• Genetic cause.

Management of agoraphobia may include the following :

• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Lifestyle changes

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, involves regularly meeting with a therapist or other mental health professional

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Effectively addresses and alleviates target symptoms, lessens other anxiety symptoms, and improves the patient’s quality of life.

Exposure therapy: It can also help people overcome their fears by gently and slowly exposing them to the situations or places they fear.