People who have agoraphobia often require assistance when traveling to a new place because they are afraid to go out alone.  People who have agoraphobia often have a difficult time doing things independently and are comforted by the presence of a friend or partner. If the thought of going to the grocery store for a gallon of milk makes you feel anxious, you may suffer from agoraphobia. People who have agoraphobia may fear going to places that might not be free of anxiety-inducing triggers.  Someone who has agoraphobia may create a “safe” pattern of movement to travel each day, such as to and from work. If you’ve noticed that you exclusively take one way home each day and stick to the exact same roads, walkways, and footpaths because you’re afraid to try new ones, you may be experiencing agoraphobia. People who have agoraphobia often limit the places they will go to reduce the chance of encountering something that might trigger a panic attack.  People who have agoraphobia may feel uncomfortable with meeting new people and try to limit themselves to “safety zones,” such as home or work.  If you have agoraphobia, then you may notice that your social life feels limited. Perhaps, before you developed agoraphobia, you went out with friends to the bar, parties, and cinema in addition to work and school.  As time went on perhaps you began to worry more about having a panic attack, and you stopped going to parties.  Then, when the semester ended, you didn’t enroll in school again for fear you’d have a panic attack in class.  You now see your friends less often and spend as little time as possible at work.  These kinds of behaviors may indicate that you have agoraphobia. Do you feel a shortness of breath when in a crowd of people at the mall, at a concert, or at the market?  You may have agoraphobia if even thinking about large crowds of people creates symptoms of anxiety like sweaty palms, excessive worrying, a racing heartbeat, and disjointed thoughts. Even if you don't actually experience a panic attack, fear of having an attack in a social situation can also be a symptom of agoraphobia. Panic symptoms related to agoraphobia may strike when you feel like you cannot escape.  Examine your feelings when you are in confined spaces.   Passing through tunnels in a car or train, riding in elevators, buses, planes, and trains may trigger panic symptoms or a panic attack. It is common for people with agoraphobia to fear not being able to escape a place or situation. However, you might experience shame or embarrassment when you have to make an excuse to escape a situation.  In order to conceal your fear, you might find yourself lying about why you suddenly need to leave a certain situation or event. For instance, perhaps you experience an agoraphobic episode when you’re at a baseball game with a friend.  Instead of expressing that you feel anxious in the large crowd, you might tell your friend you need to go home to let your dog out.  In addition to such excuses, you might fake illness to escape an uncomfortable situation.

Summary:
Pay attention to your need for company when out in public. Consider whether you have established a fixed route. Keep an eye out for a decline in your social life. Identify if you feel fear or anxiety when you are in a large crowd. Stay conscious of fear or anxiety in a confined space. Think about situations in which you made an excuse to escape.