A client is showing signs of agoraphobia. What situation are they most likely to avoid?

Agoraphobia is characterized by an intense fear or anxiety about situations in which escape might be difficult or help unavailable in the event of a panic attack or other incapacitating symptoms. Individuals with agoraphobia often avoid places or situations where they perceive a risk of losing control or experiencing panic without a means to escape.

In this context, taking public transportation is a situation that is particularly associated with agoraphobia. This is because public transportation can involve being in crowded, confined spaces with limited control or ability to leave swiftly, making it a source of significant anxiety for someone with agoraphobia. The implication is that the individual may fear having a panic attack while on the bus or train, where it might be difficult to exit quickly.

While other options like attending family gatherings or going to the grocery store might also provoke anxiety, they typically do not embody the same level of perceived vulnerability and lack of control as public transportation does for someone with agoraphobia. Thus, the avoidance behavior is most pronounced in situations like taking public transport, which exemplifies the core fears associated with agoraphobia.