PsychologyJuly 24, 2026

agoraphobia

ag-uh-ruh-FO-bee-uh

Definition

A type of anxiety disorder characterized by an intense fear of being in situations or places where escape might be difficult or help unavailable if a panic attack occurs.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Greek word 'agora', meaning 'public assembly' or 'marketplace', and 'phobos', meaning 'fear'. It originally described a fear of open, crowded, or public spaces.

In the news

The article references agoraphobia as one of the anxiety disorders that saw increased prevalence among young adults, helping to illustrate the scope of the mental health crisis.

Mental disorders surge among young adults

Read the full article ↗

Medical Xpress

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