**Core Concept**
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being in public places or situations where escape might be difficult. This fear can lead to avoidance of such situations, resulting in significant impairment in an individual's daily life.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Agoraphobia is commonly associated with panic disorder due to the shared underlying mechanism of anxiety and fear of catastrophic consequences. Individuals with panic disorder often experience panic attacks, which can lead to agoraphobic avoidance behaviors as a coping mechanism. The fear of having a panic attack in a public place can trigger agoraphobic avoidance, creating a vicious cycle.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking, which is not directly related to agoraphobic symptoms.

**Option B:** Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by episodes of mania or depression, which can sometimes co-occur with anxiety disorders but is not directly associated with agoraphobia.

**Option D:** Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts and compulsions to perform specific rituals, which can sometimes co-occur with agoraphobia but is not the primary association.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key clinical feature of agoraphobia is the presence of avoidance behaviors, which can be a coping mechanism for individuals experiencing anxiety or fear of panic attacks.

**✓ Correct Answer: C. Panic disorder**