+

Finding a therapist is exhausting.

That's why we vet therapists for you.

Find a vetted therapist
December 21, 2025

Do You Have Agoraphobia Test

Kristie Plantinga
,
MA
Agoraphobia
Guides
December 21, 2025
2 min to read
Show table of contents

Do you feel your heart start racing at the thought of going to the grocery store? Does the idea of sitting in a crowded restaurant make you want to cancel plans altogether?

If so, you're not alone. It can feel incredibly isolating when your world starts shrinking because certain places or situations trigger overwhelming anxiety. What used to be simple errands now feel like insurmountable obstacles, and you might find yourself making excuse after excuse to stay home where you feel safe.

Here's something that might surprise you: agoraphobia isn't just about being afraid of open spaces. It's actually about the fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where help might not be available if you panic. That could mean anything from standing in line at Target to sitting in the middle row at a concert to riding the bus across town.

The tricky thing about agoraphobia is that it often develops gradually. You avoid one situation, then another, and before you know it, your comfort zone has shrunk to the size of your living room. And the shame that comes with it? That's real, too. It's hard to explain to friends and family why you can't just "push through it" or why their well meaning suggestions to "face your fears" aren't that simple.

But here's the good news: agoraphobia is treatable. Really treatable. And recognizing what's going on is the crucial first step. This quick quiz can help you understand whether what you're experiencing might be agoraphobia. For many people, finally putting a name to their struggle brings genuine relief and opens the door to getting the support they need.

Let's dive in.

How accurate is this quiz?

At Best Therapists, we believe that online mental health quizzes can be an excellent first step towards improving our mental health. Quizzes like this one can educate you and provide opportunities for self-reflection, but note that they are not a substitute for professional assessments and diagnoses.

Take our quiz below ↓

Your privacy is important to us, so all results are completely anonymous and no email is required.

<div data-tf-live="01KD1W64YZ0CJ8CCVPZA9TM5BG"></div><script src="//embed.typeform.com/next/embed.js"></script>

Example scenarios

  • The New Mom Who Can't Leave the Block: Sarah had her first baby six months ago, and what started as normal postpartum anxiety has spiraled into something much more confining. She used to love going to coffee shops, browsing bookstores, and meeting friends for lunch. Now, she can barely make it to the corner store three blocks away without her heart racing and her palms sweating. She's cancelled her baby's pediatrician appointments twice because the thought of driving on the highway makes her feel like she can't breathe. Her husband does all the grocery shopping after work, and Sarah's mom has offered to take the baby to playgroups, but Sarah feels too ashamed to admit why she can't go herself. She orders everything online, from diapers to dinner. Her world has shrunk to her house and the immediate sidewalk in front of it. When she does force herself to leave for necessary errands, she grips the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turn white, and she rehearses where every exit is along the route. Last month, she had a panic attack in the pharmacy parking lot and hasn't been back since. She tells herself she'll try again tomorrow, but tomorrow keeps getting pushed further away.
  • The Remote Worker Who's Lost His Independence: David transitioned to remote work three years ago, and at first, it felt like a dream come true. But somewhere along the way, convenience became avoidance. He started skipping the gym because he could work out at home. Then he stopped going to restaurants because delivery was easier. Now, at 34, David hasn't left his apartment in four months except for one trip to urgent care when he had no choice. His girlfriend of two years left him because she couldn't handle dating someone who refused to meet her family or attend her work events. David knows he's missing out on life, but the thought of getting on the subway or sitting in a crowded restaurant makes his chest tighten with dread. He's turned down a promotion that would require him to go into the office twice a week. His parents live across the country and keep asking when he'll visit, but David makes excuses every time. He's memorized the patterns on his ceiling from lying awake at night, anxious about how small his life has become, yet somehow still too afraid to walk out his front door. The few times he's tried, he's made it to the elevator before the panic becomes unbearable and he retreats back inside.
  • The Bride Who Couldn't Walk Down the Aisle: Monica and her fiancé Tom spent a year planning their wedding. She picked out the perfect dress, tasted dozens of cakes, and created elaborate Pinterest boards. But as the wedding date approached, Monica's anxiety about the ceremony itself grew overwhelming. It wasn't cold feet about marrying Tom; it was terror about being the center of attention in a room full of 150 people with no easy way to leave. She started having panic attacks during the rehearsal dinner when she imagined walking down that long aisle. The night before the wedding, Monica couldn't stop thinking about being trapped at the head table, all eyes on her, with photographers circling and speeches trapping her in her seat. At 7 a.m. on her wedding day, she called it off. Not the marriage, just the ceremony. Tom was understanding at first, suggesting a small courthouse wedding instead, but when Monica couldn't even handle that, he began to realize how serious her problem was. They're still together, but not married, and Monica has stopped going to any events where she might be put on the spot. She skipped her own sister's baby shower last month, her best friend's birthday dinner the month before, and she's already dreading the holidays when family gatherings feel impossible. She works from home, shops online, and has mastered the art of making excuses that sound legitimate.

Important Note: These are fictional scenarios and not a diagnostic tool. If you suspect you or someone you know might be experiencing agoraphobia, please seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Agoraphobia is treatable, and many people find relief through therapy, medication, or a combination of both.

Need more answers?

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Kristie Plantinga
,
MA

Kristie Plantinga is the founder of Best Therapists. Along with being on the client-side of therapy, Kristie has had the honor of working directly with therapists in her marketing agency for therapists, TherapieSEO. While working alongside therapists, she learned about the inequities in our mental health system that therapists face on a daily basis, and she wanted to do something about it. That’s why Best Therapists is a platform designed to benefit not only therapy-seekers, but therapy providers. Kristie has a Masters degree in Written Communication and a Bachelors degree in Psychology and Music.

Reviewed by
Katelyn McMahon
,
Registered Psychotherapist, VT #097.0134200

Katelyn is a therapist-turned-writer with a passion for mental health. She has a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of England and is a Registered Psychotherapist in the state of Vermont. Katelyn has professional experience in aging care, addiction treatment, integrated health care, and private practice settings. She also has lived experience being on the client side of therapy. Currently, Katelyn is a content writer who’s passionate about spreading mental health awareness and helping other therapists and therapy-seekers Do The Work.

Ready to start therapy?

Find a Best Therapists vetted therapist.

Find a therapist
Show sources and research articles