Agoraphobia

Some people stop going into situations because of a fear of being overwhelmed by anxiety and not being able to escape or get help.

These people have agoraphobia, and they typically avoid places where they feel immediate escape might be difficult, such as shopping malls, public transportation, and either open places (like parking lots) or enclosed places (like theaters). Agoraphobia is particularly common in people with panic disorder. Their world may become smaller as they are constantly on guard, waiting for the next panic attack. Some people develop a fixed route or territory, and it may become impossible for them to travel beyond their safety zones without suffering severe anxiety.