They may avoid crowds, or may avoid cars, buses, or airplanes. They may avoid bridges or elevators. Many times people with agoraphobia avoid the situations that frighten them altogether. Sometimes they may be able to force themselves into the situation, even though they remain very uncomfortable. Some people with agoraphobia will use alcohol or other drugs to try to control the anxiety.
People usually develop agoraphobia sometime between their teen years and their mid-thirties.
Agoraphobia seems to run in families to some extent. Women are more likely than men to develop this disorder, which affects millions of people in this country. Agoraphobia is a very distressing condition. It can affect a person's life to the extent that he or she may become homebound. Treatments are available which help most agoraphobics.