What is Agoraphobia?

The Mayoclinic describes Agoraphobia as, “a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed.” Agoraphobia is often developed after a person experiences a panic attack or more than one panic attack. Unlike some of the mental illnesses we have talked about, the symptoms of agoraphobia mainly stay the same for each person that experiences it. If left untreated agoraphobia can disrupt a person’s typical way of life.

So what are the symptoms of Agoraphobia? A person with agoraphobia may be afraid to leave home alone, to be in crowded places, to wait in lines, to use public transportation, etc. Agoraphobia is also characterized by an intense fear that a person will be unable to escape a place or situation or get help if they need it. These fears are often bigger than the actual danger of the situation or place. A person with agoraphobia may feel better if they have someone with them during these situations or at these places, but will typically still experience intense anxiety or fear. A person may start to see this fear trickle into other areas of their life; such as their friendships or workplaces. A person may avoid these situations or places altogether in order to decrease anxiety.

If a person experiences many of these symptoms for six months or longer then they may have Agoraphobia. In order to overcome agoraphobia they will need to see a mental health professional. If you or someone you know may be experiencing agoraphobia contact a professional right away for help.