Mental Health & Wellbeing Resource Library · Anxiety series
Agoraphobia
Some places or situations can feel difficult when leaving seems hard.
Understanding
Agoraphobia is anxiety about situations where leaving or getting help might feel difficult if panic or other distressing symptoms occur. It can involve crowds, queues, public transport, open spaces or going out alone. It is not simply a fear of open spaces.
The situations that feel difficult are different for each person.
Signs & symptoms
- Avoiding a place, needing a companion or planning an escape route
- Feeling trapped, unsafe or worried about panic in public
- Physical anxiety such as dizziness, sweating, nausea or a racing heart
- Finding that the range of places that feel manageable becomes smaller
Some people can go out with support; others find leaving home very difficult. Both deserve understanding.
How it can affect you
Appointments, shopping, education, work and friendships may become harder to manage. Planning around feared situations takes time and energy, and other people may not realise how much effort a simple trip involves.
Agoraphobia can occur with panic attacks, but experiences vary.
Coping strategies
- Identify a small step that feels possible and repeat it before moving on
- Plan support with a trusted person without turning it into pressure
- Notice one neutral object around you and let your breathing settle when anxiety rises
- Talk with a GP about treatment, including talking therapies and a gradual plan
A professional can help shape exposure steps at a pace that suits you.
Support services in Kirklees
Your GP: Explain what you have noticed, how long it has been happening and what it is making harder. A GP can discuss assessment and suitable support.
Kirklees Talking Therapies: Explore the service’s current referral information for anxiety support. Check its eligibility and options directly.
Other local support: The Kirklees Council mental health directory lists local services. If you are supporting a child or young person, use the children and young people’s support page.
General information only. It does not diagnose a condition or replace professional advice. Read the NHS guide to agoraphobia for more detail. Last reviewed for this site: 29 September 2026.