Educational orientation — not a diagnosis

Fear of leaving home, crowds or places that feel hard to escape

Some people avoid public transport, queues, open spaces, crowded places or being outside alone because escape or help feels uncertain.

Important safety note

Immediate danger, suicidal intent, violence, severe confusion, sudden loss of function or loss of contact with reality require urgent local emergency or medical support.

Open crisis guidance →

Common signs

What people may notice

Needing a trusted person to go out
Avoiding transport, shops, crowds or open spaces
Planning routes around exits and toilets
Panic or fear of losing control away from home
Being largely housebound

Several possibilities

This pattern may be associated with

Agoraphobia

Panic disorder

Trauma-related avoidance

Mobility, continence, vestibular or other medical concerns

This list is not exhaustive and does not establish a diagnosis.

When support may be useful

Look at persistence and impact

Daily range is shrinking
Dependence on others is increasing
Work, education or medical care is being missed

Physical health and safety

What should not be overlooked

Dizziness, fainting, chest pain or balance problems should not automatically be assumed to be anxiety.
A clinician can help distinguish panic from physical conditions.

Prepare for a useful consultation

Information worth noting

When it began and what was happening at the time.
Frequency, duration, triggers and what reduces or worsens it.
Sleep, appetite, energy, medicines, substances and medical conditions.
Effect on work, study, relationships and daily safety.

Clinical content principles

PRJI educational pages distinguish orientation from diagnosis, include physical-health cautions and direct urgent situations to local services. Content is informed by public mental-health information from WHO, NHS and NIMH and must be clinically reviewed before commercial launch.