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Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a specific phobia; a fear of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult or embarrassing or if panic or panic-like symptoms develop. Agoraphobia often occurs due to panic disorder and is common to those with bipolar disorder (manic depression).
Agoraphobia
The term agoraphobia has been widely misunderstood. Its literal definition suggests a fear of "open spacers". However, this is an incomplete and misleading view. Agoraphobics are not necessarily afraid of open spacers. Rather, they are afraid of having panicky feelings, wherever.
European Description
The term "agoraphobia" is used here with a wider meaning than it has when originally introduced and as it is still used in some countries. It is now taken to include fears not only of open spaces but also of related aspects such as the presence of crowds and the difficulty of immediate easy escape to a safe place (usually home).
