Description

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Agoraphobia is the fear of being in a situation from which there is no way to physically escape, or from which there is a perception that assistance may not be available in the event that it is required. The word is derived from the Greek word for "marketplace," which is "agora," combined with the English word for "fear" (phobia). Even though some people have episodes of agoraphobia when they are by themselves or in the company of only a few others, the typical definition of agoraphobia is the fear of being outside in a large group of people.
People who suffer from agoraphobia have a much more severe and intense response to situations involving large groups of people, such as when they are walking around in a crowded area. Although the term "agoraphobia" is most commonly used to describe the experience of feeling anxious and powerless in open areas, these feelings can also occur in closed environments, such as an elevator or a subway car. The term "claustrophobia" refers to this specific form of agoraphobia.