What is a key feature of agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is characterized primarily by an irrational fear of crowded or enclosed public spaces, leading individuals to avoid such situations due to a fear of experiencing panic attacks or feeling trapped and helpless. This anxiety can stem from the anticipation of anxiety symptoms in environments where escape may be difficult or help may not be available.

Individuals with agoraphobia often avoid situations like being outside alone, being in a crowd, or traveling on public transportation. This avoidance behavior can significantly restrict their daily life and social activities, as they may feel safer staying in familiar or less crowded spaces.

In context, fear of heights is specifically related to acrophobia, while fear of open spaces pertains to a related but distinct condition known as agoraphobia in a broader sense, but it does not encapsulate the full range of symptoms associated with the disorder. Additionally, fear of social interactions is more aligned with social anxiety disorder rather than agoraphobia, which primarily focuses on the fear of public spaces rather than the fear of interacting with others.