Tom was headed to the big party.  He silently reviewed who would be there, what he might say to them and how long he would stay. He looked over his clothes, flicking away a spot of dust on his collar. He had forgotten to get the suit dry cleaned before the event. He hoped no one would notice.

He arrived at the hotel and walked into the big ballroom. Suddenly, Tom began sweating. He looked around the room and did not see anyone he knew. He felt panicked, as though everyone in the room was watching him and passing judgment. He felt that the walls were closing in on him, and it was all too much. Tom had to turn around and walk out the door. He was afraid he would pass out from the terror of the moment, even though no one had said a word to him.

Tom has a problem called agoraphobia, the technical term for a fear of any place where escape may not be possible. It includes a fear of crowds, large, open spaces, and particularly means of travel like airplanes, subways and buses. In its most severe form, agoraphobia can mean a fear of ever leaving your house and confronting the rest of the world, which in the agoraphobic’s mind is anticipated to be filled with terrible things that may do him or her harm.

It’s All Greek

The term agoraphobia comes from the Greek term “fear of the marketplace,” an apt description of the fear and anxiety certain situations generate. Most agoraphobics will avoid public transportation, large crowds, bridges, elevators or any social situation where they may be confronted and surrounded, even if it’s something as benign as a large party of peers, as in Tom’s case.