Agoraphobia Anxiety Disorder with Avoidance Behavior Fear of Crowded Places Fear of Open Spaces Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help unavailable during a panic attack. This fear often leads to avoidance of a variety of situations, such as being outside alone, being in a crowd, or traveling in a vehicle, which can significantly impair daily functioning and social interactions.