The fears can disable you. At their most extreme, they can prevent you from ever leaving your home. People who have agoraphobia often have panic disorder. This means they have a number of severe panic attacks marked by a sense of impending doom. They may become agoraphobic because they want to avoid situations or places that might trigger a panic attack.
Women have it two to four times more often than men.
When it occurs with panic disorder, the condition tends to run in families. The cause of this disorder is unknown. As with many types of mental illness, experts believe that both genetics and factors in the environment may play a role. Your health care provider or therapist will ask about your symptoms. He or she will make sure you do not have a medical illness or drug or alcohol problem that could cause the symptoms.