What is agoraphobia?

The word agoraphobia literally means a fear of open spaces. However, to be more specific, people with agoraphobia have problems with crowded places, such as theatres, shops, and other public places. They can also have problems with social gatherings even with friends they have know for years.

Agoraphobics feel very uncomfortable in these situations which usually results in them having a panic attack. This may involve intense sweating, fainting, feelings of being stared at, feelings of persecution and numerous other feelings. Most feel the need to flee from the situation as they are unable to cope with these feelings. Because of this, sufferers can be left totally housebound not feeling able to cope with their problem. It can also lead to isolation from others as it's sometimes hard for people to understand or even admit why someone could have such a problem.

It is a fact that most people at one time or another have felt uncomfortable in a public or crowded environment. We feel frightened or intimated by a situation so we may decide to leave. The difference between an agoraphobic and a non-agoraphobic is that an agoraphobic becomes a lot more agitated than others. Agoraphobics develop a fear of becoming uncomfortable in these situations. For example, if they were transported to the middle of a busy department store they may feel a little worried about this as they know they will have a panic attack. They become so convinced about this that they actually do have a panic attack. It could be said that agoraphobia is a fear of fear. The worry of it happening actually causes the panic attacks.

Agoraphobia is curable. People who have recovered are generally seen as more confident and outgoing than they were before hand.