Agorafobi er ikke det modsatte af Klaustrofobi

Agoraphobia isn't the opposite of claustrophobia - but a lot of men and women think it is. In fact I actually did previously think exactly that. I did recently think exactly that even though I was suffering from agoraphobia. I used to be even offered the possibility to join an agoraphobics group, but I actually said no because I actually wasn't scared of available spaces. I quite enjoyed open spaces given that no-one else was anywhere around me. In fact if there was no other man in sight, then that was fine as far as I was concerned. But that was all a long time ago.

The translation of agoraphobia is 'fear of the market place', not, as much people think, fear of wide open spaces. The essence of the market place is people and human connection. It’s this that is fearful. Places that agoraphobes typically avoid, and have problems with, are grocery stores, theatres, cinemas, crowds, functions. Places that a speedy exit might be difficult.

The fear is usually of showing oneself in some way in the eyes of others. Commonly agoraphobes worry about things like: vomiting (usually because of this of severe anxiety); fainting; having a panic strike; or suffering from a genuine health emergency like a heart attack. The concern is usually one of embarrassment - perhaps fainting and finding your self on a supermarket floor gazing up into a circle of concerned looks who will insist on making a fuss and calling an ambulance.

Various agoraphobes manage to get by with a reliable helper who accompanies them when they need to go shopping or away socialising. This person will there be to rescue them and take them home should anything bad, like a panic attack occur. Although when that helper is not available life is very restricted.

If medical help is obtained the most likely result is medication with tranquillisers and anti-depressants. Neither which actually solve the problem, they just permit a lowest amount of functionality. The problem remains, such as a monster in the wardrobe, waiting to show its scary face as soon as you turn off the signals, or look the other way. So you are trapped. The medication retains the monster locked in the wardrobe, but does not get rid of it. Stop the medication and the monster is free once more.

Life as an agoraphobe is not a fun at all.