Agoraphobia Definitions and Symptoms

What the Heck is Agoraphobia?

by Stephen Price

Whenever I mention claustrophobia, insectophobia, or social phobia - most people know what I mean.

I have noticed that when I mention agoraphobia, many people just shake their heads. They'll often look at me and say "What the heck is agoraphobia?"

Agoraphobia is the mixture of two anxiety disorders. It's both a panic disorder and a phobia. That's because agoraphobia features frequent panic attacks (like panic disorder) and the irrational, conditioned fear of certain places and situations (like phobias).

The term "agoraphobia" comes from the Greek words agora (αγορά), meaning "marketplace," and phobia (φόβος), meaning "fear." Literally translated as "fear of the marketplace," people with agoraphobia are afraid of open or public spaces.

In reality, most people with agoraphobia are mainly afraid of having a panic attack in open or public spaces.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), agoraphobia is "anxiety about, or avoidance of, places or situations..."

1) "from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing..."

When I had agoraphobia, I was afraid of being anywhere I felt stuck and couldn't leave without people noticing if I had a panic attack. I avoided playing baseball for fear of having a panic attack while stuck in front of many onlookers. I avoided school for fear that other students might think I was crazy if I got shaky, out of breath, and needed to leave class suddenly. At my worst, I was afraid to venture outside my house.

2) "...or in which help may not be available in the event of having a panic attack or panic-like symptoms."

Besides my fear of panicking in front of others, I was deathly afraid being in a situation too far from other people, such as walking alone in nature or being left at home alone. I worried obsessively about having a panic attack or medical emergency with no one around to help.