The fear of a panic attack leads to a greater avoidance of everyday situations which might cause fear and eventually so many situations, such as shopping, driving, using public transport and so on. Some people become 'housebound' or unable to leave a very small 'safe zone'. This avoidance of situations is called agoraphobia and often goes hand in hand with symptoms of panic.

You may have agoraphobia if you develop anxiety when thinking about being in a situation out of your comfort zone. You avoid situations which bring you anxiety or panic and you fear feeling trapped in a situation where you find it difficult or embarrassing for you to leave the situation. It is the fear of the anxiety that leads to the agoraphobia.