New fear of crowds, arose at age 55?

Agoraphobia at 55: Onset of agoraphobia or fear of crowds occurs from the early twenties to early thirties. Recent studies have shown a linkage between agoraphobia and difficulties with spatial orientation. As we age difficulties with spatial orientation can occur and one might hypothesize that someone age 55 could develop new onset agoraphobia. This is highly theoretical and more research is necessary.

CBT: Seek a cognitive-behavioral therapist who specializes in phobias. One method they use is systematic desensitization which slowly and incrementally brings the person closer and closer to the thing they are afraid of in slow, graduated steps that help make the anxiety more tolerable.