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Causes - Agoraphobia

Most cases of agoraphobia happen in people who have panic disorder.

It can develop after you have a panic attack in a certain situation or place. You worry so much about having a panic attack that the symptoms of the panic attack return when you're in a similar situation.

This causes you to avoid that particular situation or place.

Panic disorder

The exact cause of panic disorder is not known.

Most experts think it is a combination of biological and psychological factors.

Read more about panic disorder

Agoraphobia without panic disorder

Sometimes you can develop agoraphobia with no history of panic attacks.

This type of agoraphobia can be caused by different irrational fears (phobias).

For example, the fear of:

  • being a victim of violent crime or a terrorist attack if you leave your house
  • doing something by accident that will embarrass or humiliate you in public

Read more about phobias


Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE

Page last reviewed: 7 April 2025
Next review due: 7 April 2028