Ive had agoraphobia, mine started after the birth of my 2nd child. Ive always had quite a severe anxiety disorder but i managed this myself..but then the hormones during pregnancy kicked me over the edge . After i had DD2 by c section it was snowing heavily, and icy outside. Everyone persuaded me to stay home so i didn't slip as i was still sore and recovering. I was very happy about this and continued to stay home, slowly and silently falling into the grip of agoraphobia...each day going to the window and sang to DH "oh it is still bad out there, i think i'll stay home today just incase" I can see now i was using it as an excuse as deep down i knew i couldn't go out.
DH was having to do the shopping and come out of work to take DD1 to school and pick her up each day. When i HAD to leave the house i had awful panic attacks, i used to rush everywhere. At one doctors appointment for a check up my heart rate was so high and i was actually pacing the doctors room trying to chat normally and pretend i was ok :( she seemed concerned but didn't ask if everything was ok! Also i had to wait until most of the parents and kids had left the playground before dashing in to school get my DD and back to the car. I would miss off half my shopping list at the shop because i was rushing. I'd stop in the aisle and hold my head for a second whn it all got too much. It was terrible. I finally went to see my GP who put me on the list for CBT and i have had a year of that. It has changed my life :) Once the fear of the symptoms went away, so did the symptoms. I can go out as normal now, i still have anxiety every now and then but nothing that really gets in the way of life. I haven't done internet food shop for over a year now, i actually enjoy going!! Because it was such a struggle for a long time, even before my agoraphobia.
I really reccommend CBT, i had a brilliant therapist who i am so grateful to for helping me beat this.
Good luck, it is really really hard. One of the things that got me through and the therapist often commented on it, was my determination. I had to get through agoraphobia, for my DC. I had to keep on going, getting out and about with them. I was so concerned that they would miss out if i didn't want to go out.
Hope this helps a little, sorry for going on 