TL;DR: Agoraphobia affects about 2% of the population and goes well beyond a simple fear of going out. This complex anxiety disorder is characterized by a marked fear of specific situations such as public transport, crowds, open or enclosed spaces, where the person dreads not being able to escape easily. Understanding the severity of your symptoms is the first step toward suitable support. Scientifically validated scales, such as Chambless and Caputo's or the Albany Mobility Inventory, allow your level of anxiety and avoidance to be assessed precisely. Self-assessment through an avoidance journal over two weeks, or through simplified questionnaires, offers practical tools to objectify your situation. Warning signs that warrant a prompt consultation include complete isolation, recurrent panic attacks, or substance use to manage anxiety. An accurate assessment guides your treatment toward the most effective options.

Agoraphobia test: assess your severity level

Marie, 32, feels a knot in her stomach every time she has to take public transport. What used to be a routine commute to the office has become a real ordeal. She now avoids crowded shopping centers, declines restaurant invitations, and prefers ordering groceries online rather than facing the aisles of a supermarket. Does this sound familiar?

Agoraphobia affects about 2% of the population according to the DSM-5, but its manifestations vary considerably from one person to another. Contrary to popular belief, it isn't simply a "fear of leaving home," but a complex anxiety disorder that requires an accurate assessment to be properly treated.

Understanding the severity of your symptoms is the first step toward suitable support. Scientifically validated psychological tests offer valuable tools to objectify your situation and guide your treatment.

Understanding agoraphobia: beyond the stereotypes

Current diagnostic criteria

According to the DSM-5, agoraphobia is characterized by marked fear or anxiety about at least two of the following five situations:

• Using public transport (subway, bus, planes, boats)
• Being in open spaces (parking lots, markets, bridges)
• Being in enclosed places (shops, theaters, cinemas)
• Standing in line or being in a crowd
• Being alone outside the home

The impact on daily life

Agoraphobia generates systematic avoidance or requires the presence of a companion. These situations are dreaded because the person fears not being able to escape easily or not receiving help in case of panic symptoms or other incapacitating symptoms.

"Agoraphobia is not a weakness of character, but an anxiety disorder that responds effectively to cognitive and behavioral therapies when it is properly assessed and treated."

Self-assessment helps you better understand your own anxiety mechanisms and can be the trigger needed to begin a therapeutic process. In some cases, these difficulties can also affect interpersonal relationships, which you can explore with tools for analyzing your couple conversations.

Scientifically validated assessment scales

The Chambless and Caputo agoraphobia scale

Developed by Dianne Chambless and Grace Caputo in 1985, this scale remains one of the most widely used tools for measuring the severity of agoraphobia. It includes two subscales:

The agoraphobic avoidance scale assesses 25 situations on a scale from 1 (never avoided) to 5 (always avoided):

• Cinemas, theaters
• Supermarkets
• Shops in general
• Restaurants
• Elevators

The bodily anxiety scale measures anxiety linked to 17 physical sensations:

• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• A feeling of choking
• Trembling
• Sweating

The Albany Mobility Inventory

Created by Chambless, Caputo, Jasin, Gracely, and Williams, this tool specifically assesses avoidance situations linked to agoraphobia. It includes 26 items rated across three dimensions:

• Frequency: How often do you find yourself in this situation?
• Avoidance: To what extent do you avoid this situation?
• Accompaniment: Do you need to be accompanied?

The Hamilton anxiety scale

Although it isn't specific to agoraphobia, the HAM-A scale developed by Max Hamilton in 1959 remains a valuable complement for assessing general anxiety. It measures 14 symptom groups on a scale from 0 to 4:

• Anxious mood
• Tension
• Fears
• Insomnia
• Intellectual difficulties
• Depressed mood

How to interpret your severity level

The different degrees of agoraphobia

Mild agoraphobia (low scores on the scales)

• Occasional avoidance of 1-2 specific situations
• Moderate but manageable anxiety
• Limited impact on daily life
• Ability to face situations with effort

Moderate agoraphobia (intermediate score)

• Avoidance of 3-4 types of situations
• Significant anxiety requiring coping strategies
• Notable impact on social and professional activities
• Frequent need for accompaniment

Severe agoraphobia (high score)

• Avoidance of most agoraphobic situations
• Intense anxiety with marked physical symptoms
• Significant restriction of movement
• Progressive social isolation

Warning signs not to overlook

Some indicators suggest the need for a prompt consultation:

• Complete avoidance of leaving home for several weeks
• Recurrent panic attacks (more than 4 per month)
• Suicidal thoughts linked to a feeling of confinement
• Alcohol or substance use to manage anxiety
• Job loss or relationship breakdowns due to avoidance

Self-assessment strategies and practical tools

Keeping an avoidance journal

Keeping a structured journal for 2 weeks helps you objectify your behaviors:

Suggested format for each day:

• Situations avoided: which ones and why
• Anxiety level (0-10 scale) in each situation
• Strategies used (accompaniment, avoidance, medication)
• Impact on your general mood
• Activities accomplished despite the anxiety

The simplified self-questionnaire

Here are 10 key questions for an initial self-assessment:

Transport: Do you avoid buses, subways, trains, or planes?

Shops: Do large stores cause you anxiety?

Crowds: Do you dread events with lots of people?

Being alone: Are you afraid to leave home alone?

Open spaces: Do parking lots or squares worry you?

Enclosed places: Do cinemas, elevators pose a problem?

Restaurants: Do you eat out easily?

Accompaniment: Do you need to be accompanied?

Physical symptoms: Do you feel palpitations, dizziness?

Social impact: Do your loved ones notice your avoidance?

Using apps and digital tools

Several scientifically validated apps can complement your self-assessment:

• Anxiety journals with daily reminders
• Jacobson's progressive relaxation exercises
• Coherent breathing techniques
• Assisted graded exposure

When and how to consult a professional

Indications for a specialized consultation

A professional assessment becomes necessary when:

• Your self-questionnaire scores suggest moderate to severe agoraphobia
• The impact on your professional life becomes significant
• Your family and friend relationships deteriorate
• You develop associated depressive symptoms
• The self-assessment reveals suicidal thoughts

The professional assessment process

A specialized psychologist or psychiatrist will use several complementary tools:

Structured clinical interview:

• Detailed history of symptoms
• Search for triggering factors
• Assessment of comorbidities (depression, other anxiety disorders)
• Precise functional impact

Standardized psychometric tests:

• Specialized scales (Chambless, Albany Mobility Inventory)
• General anxiety assessment (Hamilton, Beck)
• Quality-of-life questionnaires
• Measurement of behavioral avoidance

Evidence-based therapeutic approaches

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) remains the gold-standard treatment, with effectiveness rates of 70-80% according to meta-analyses. The main techniques include:

• Graded exposure: gradually facing feared situations
• Cognitive restructuring: modifying catastrophic thoughts
• Relaxation techniques: managing physical symptoms
• Psychoeducation: understanding anxiety mechanisms

Perspectives and resources to go further

The importance of social support

Loved ones play a crucial role in the recovery process. They can:

• Encourage exposure to anxiety-provoking situations without forcing it
• Avoid the overprotection that reinforces avoidance
• Take part in family therapy sessions if needed
• Maintain social activities suited to the person's pace

Additional resources

Specialized reading:

• "Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic" — David Barlow & Michelle Craske
• "When Panic Attacks" — David D. Burns
• "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook" — Edmund Bourne

Associations and support groups:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
• Anxiety UK
• Online forums moderated by professionals

Self-assessing your agoraphobia is a courageous first step toward understanding and managing your difficulties. Scientifically validated tools offer an objective view of your situation, far from often overly harsh personal judgments.

Remember that agoraphobia, whatever its severity, responds effectively to modern therapies. Your score on the various scales is not a fate, but a starting point for building a care path suited to your specific needs.

Take the time to self-assess with kindness, document your observations, and don't hesitate to share this information with a qualified professional. Your psychological well-being deserves this investment of time and attention.

Take the test: Agoraphobia → — anonymous, personalized PDF report. 🔗 Analyze your conversations with ScanMyLove — Anxiety distorts communication. An objective read of your chats can help.

FAQ

How does the agoraphobia test work?

Test your agoraphobia with a validated tool. The test is designed to give you a quick, reliable indication based on validated clinical criteria.

Is this test reliable for a diagnosis?

This questionnaire is based on clinical scales used in CBT and clinical psychology. It does not replace a professional diagnosis, but it is a valuable first indicator to guide a consultation.

What should I do if the test shows a high score?

A high score suggests that a consultation with a psychotherapist or psychologist may be beneficial. CBT offers effective protocols to work on these dimensions in 8 to 16 sessions.