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Anxiety disorders
Agoraphobia
The fear of being in places or situations where it would be hard to escape or get help if an attack happened: public transport, shopping centres, queues, leaving the house alone.
Common signs
- Avoiding public transport, crowds or open spaces
- Needing someone with you
- Intense anxiety when anticipating those situations
- Daily life becoming more and more limited
Having some of these signs doesn't mean you have the disorder: only a professional can make a diagnosis.
Why does it happen?
It often appears after panic attacks, out of fear they'll happen again somewhere with no way out.
How is it diagnosed?
Clinical assessment of the feared situations, the avoidance and how much it interferes.
Treatment
Gradual, supported exposure to avoided situations within cognitive behavioural therapy.
Want some guidance? Take the Test for anxiety attacks and panic disorder: free, 2-3 minutes.
We're here for you at Clínica Vivaldi
Registered psychologists at Calle Chiva 25 (Valencia) and online across Spain. First appointment with no waiting list; we work with psychiatry and nutrition when needed.
Educational content based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment. Reviewed by the Clínica Vivaldi team, November 2026.