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Definition of agoraphobia
: abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterized initially often by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally by the avoidance of open or public places
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Examples of agoraphobia in a Sentence
a patient suffering from agoraphobia
Recent Examples of agoraphobia from the Web
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Richards, seated in a wheelchair at the hearing, has significant mental health problems including agoraphobia - fear of leaving one's house - obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorder, court documents show.
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According to the psychological report, Richards was diagnosed with agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that often includes fear of open spaces, and obsessive compulsive disorder and has been under the care of mental health experts for much of her life.
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She's also besieged by her mother, Cynthia (Margaret Kusterman), whose agoraphobia keeps her from shopping at the A&P.
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These are not people simply suffering from depression or anxiety or agoraphobia.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'agoraphobia'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The agora was the marketplace in ancient Greece; thus, agoraphobia often involves fear of public places and crowds. But it also may involve fear of being in shops, or even fear of being in open spaces, or fear of traveling alone. It may also be a fear of experiencing some uncontrollable or embarrassing event (like fainting) in the presence of others with no help available. Agoraphobia can be hard to understand for those who don't suffer from it, especially because it can take so many different forms, but it is often a serious and socially crippling condition.
Origin and Etymology of agoraphobia
New Latin, from Greek agora + New Latin -phobia
Other Psychology Terms
AGORAPHOBIA Defined for English Language Learners
agoraphobia
playDefinition of agoraphobia for English Language Learners
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: a fear of being in open or public places
Medical Dictionary
agoraphobia
playMedical Definition of agoraphobia
: abnormal fear of being helpless in a situation from which escape may be difficult or embarrassing that is characterized initially often by panic or anticipatory anxiety and finally by avoidance of open or public places
Learn More about agoraphobia
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Nglish: Translation of agoraphobia for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about agoraphobia
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