Do I Have Agoraphobia?

Take this quiz to see if you have a fear of public spaces.

“Agoraphobic” means that someone has a strong fear of crowds or public spaces. It’s a common phobia, and the first step to overcoming it is diagnosing it. Are you agoraphobic?

Answer a few quick questions about your experiences, and we’ll tell you if you have agoraphobia.

Note: This is an online self-assessment. For a full diagnosis, visit a therapist or a psychologist.

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Questions Overview

1. How do you feel about taking public transit, like the bus or subway?
  1. Even just the thought makes me anxious. I'll never take public transportation.
  2. I dislike it and it makes me nervous, but I'll take it if I have to.
  3. I don't love it, but who does? It's fine.
  4. I enjoy public transportation!
2. Would you ever go to an outdoor music festival?
  1. Never. Too many people, too much noise, so much that could go wrong.
  2. Probably not. All that commotion makes me nervous.
  3. Maybe. Not my thing, but it could be fun!
  4. Yes! I would love to attend a music festival.
3. Given the choice, would you rather take the elevator or the stairs?
  1. Neither. Both are too cramped for my comfort.
  2. The stairs. I don't like the idea of being trapped in an elevator.
  3. The stairs. I could use the exercise!
  4. I'll just take the elevator. It's easier.
4. Have you ever missed an important occasion, like a friend's birthday or an interview, because you were too anxious or nervous to go?
  1. Yes, many times.
  2. Yes, once or twice.
  3. No, or I don't remember.
5. Do you think it's easy for you to meet and connect to new people?
  1. No, I don't get out often enough to meet people.
  2. No, I feel too nervous or embarrassed to meet new people.
  3. Sort of. It's uncomfortable, but I can do it if I really try.
  4. Yes, I don't have many problems forging new connections.
6. Have you ever experienced a panic attack? (A sudden, overwhelming feeling of extreme fear with no rational cause.)
  1. Yes, more times than I can count.
  2. Yes, several times.
  3. Yes, once or twice.
  4. No, or I don't remember.
7. How much time do you spend at home?
  1. All the time. I don't leave the house, if I can help it.
  2. Most of the time. I only go out for necessary trips.
  3. Some of the time. I get out of the house a lot, though.
  4. Barely any time. I'm usually out and about.
8. Have you ever left a crowded event early because you felt nervous?
  1. Yes, many times. I feel unsafe if there are too many people.
  2. Yes, once or twice. Sometimes being around too many people makes me anxious.
  3. No, or I don't remember.
9. Do you ever feel like your fears or anxiety get in the way of living your best life?
  1. Yes, absolutely. They're always holding me back.
  2. Somewhat. They get in the way now and then.
  3. Not really. I can do most or everything I want to.
10. Would you say you have trouble controlling your thoughts when you start thinking about things like crowds, gatherings, or other social situations?
  1. Yes, I tend to obsess about these things, even when I'm not there.
  2. Yes, but only when I'm in one of these situations.
  3. No, or I'm not sure.
11. Do any of the following situations make you nervous or anxious?
  1. Waiting in lines.
  2. Wide open spaces, like parking lots or fields.
  3. Being in movie theaters, classrooms, or other places with many people and few exits.
  4. Yes, more than one of these, or all of these.
  5. None of these.
12. Do you commonly have any of these symptoms because of a public place?
  1. Nausea or dizziness.
  2. Rapid heart rate or shortness of breath.
  3. Confusion or disorientation.
  4. More than one of these.
  5. None of these.

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The good news is that there are paths to overcoming your fears, and living alongside them. Visiting a therapist or psychiatrist lets you discuss, learn about, understand, and make strategies for living your best life in spite of your agoraphobia. You can even see a professional healthcare provider via phone or Zoom, if leaving the house feels overwhelming.

If professional treatment feels out of reach, consider confronting your fears a little bit at a time. For example, if you feel fear or anxiety about phone calls, start by \"fake calling\" a pretend person, or practice calling a friend and having a low-stakes conversation before you move on to calling a family member or acquaintance.

For more help and strategies for handling agoraphobia, check out these resources:

All About Agoraphobia

What is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is an acute fear of public situations, or situations where you may not be able to leave easily or get help if something were to happen to you.

What are the symptoms of agoraphobia?

  • Fear of leaving the house, or of public spaces
  • Paranoia about strangers, or extraordinary situations
  • Need to be in complete control in public spaces
  • Acute loneliness or isolation
  • Separation from friends or family
  • Feeling like your body is not your own
  • Helplessness
  • Dependency on others
  • Nausea, stress, dizziness, fainting, sweating, or other physical symptoms when confronted with your fear.

What causes agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia can be caused and triggered by many different things. Often, it’s rooted in trauma that gives someone a keen fear of situations related to that trauma, like the death of a loved one or abuse in a patient’s past. It can also be caused by related mental health conditions, like paranoia, depression, eating disorders, or a number of other conditions.

Can you treat agoraphobia? Yes! As with any phobia, agoraphobia can be treated and improved. Someone with agoraphobia may not get over their fear completely, but it’s not impossible, and it’s often possible to significantly improve. The best way to treat agoraphobia is through professional care, like by seeing a therapist or psychologist.

A mental health professional will analyze your specific experience and come up with personalized strategies for care. These might include exposure therapy, which is when you face your fear in small steps, or medication, like SSRIs that inhibit your body’s stress response, as well as other treatment options.

How common is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is a complicated condition that overlaps with many other conditions, so experts can’t say for sure how common it is. That said, some studies estimate that up to 1% of adults in the U.S. suffer from some degree of agoraphobia.

How do you pronounce agoraphobia?
“Uh-gaw-ruh- fow -bee-uh.” Literally, agoraphobia means “fear of the marketplace.”

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Any medically related content, whether User Content or otherwise found on the Service, is not intended to be medical advice or instructions for medical diagnosis or treatment, and no physician-patient or psychotherapist-patient relationship is, or is intended to be, created.

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