This Anxiety Disorder Seen in 'The Woman in the Window' Often Starts With a Panic Attack

Agoraphobia is a mental health condition that makes one experience an intense fear of leaving their premises. The person is terrified of going outside their homes, and can also feel that it is hard to escape a certain place. Agoraphobia can take many shapes and is accompanied by chronic anxiety and panic attacks.

Example: If a person has a panic attack at a subway, they may start to avoid going to a subway, associating it with fear.

The act of avoiding something scary can itself turn fearful. Panic attacks amplify agoraphobia, and the pandemic has increased the anxiety levels of the general population according to many new studies.

The pandemic has in fact normalized agoraphobia and getting back to normal requires some time.