The onset of agoraphobia is usually between 18 and 35 years of age and is triggered by a traumatic incident, for example, a death in the family, a serious problem at work or an incident in a public place. A panic attack may well occur, and panic then comes to be associated with the triggering circumstances. The agoraphobic strives to avoid those circumstances and becomes highly anxious at the thought of them recurring. Therapy is the usual treatment, and family support helps considerably.