Agoraphobia is a widely misunderstood disease. Agoraphobia has a couple of definitions because it is very complicated and difficult to understand. It is the fear of open spaces. It is also the fear of being in situation where a person can experience anxiety and begin to panic. People with agoraphobia may also have panic attacks if they are in a situation they consider to be difficult or embarrassing. Agoraphobia begins to develop when people start to avoid situations that are related to anxiety. People sometimes become housebound because they are always so nervous and paranoid and are scared to get out and possibly be stuck in a situation that they relate to anxiety. Some people with agoraphobia try to go out and have a normal life but it can be very difficult because they are so busy trying to hide their discomfort. Agoraphobia is an extremely severe anxiety condition that leads to avoidant behavior.

Agoraphobia was commonly known as the "Supermarket Disease" before people began to learn more about it (Sharon Matt)

Agoraphobia affects about twice as many women as it does men. It usually occurs right after a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one. It will usually hit a person when they are in their late teens up to their late 20's. Many surveys are conducted to get information about agoraphobia. Out of surveys done, it is said that agoraphobia affects between 2.7 percent and 5.8 percent of the adult population in the United States (Useful Information on Phobias pg. 17). This condition also tends to run in families. People will feel as if they are losing their minds and are going crazy because of they way their fears and anxiety are affecting them (Sharon Matt). A person with agoraphobia will make up excuses so they don't have to leave the house and if they will leave, it has to be with someone they see as safe, such as a relative. Many people suffering with agoraphobia develop problems with alcohol because they are looking for a way to escape to anxiety and pain.

Agoraphobia tends to be a very controversial disease. Many surveys have been done to come up

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