Originally Posted By: twosleepy
Hey Pook, I always though agoraphobia was the fear of open places...

But you are correct with anthropophobia, fear of people or society.


No, agora is from the Greek for marketplace, that is, a place where lots of people gather together. Agoraphobia is not fear of open spaces but fear of society. In its most extreme form it causes people never to leave their door, hence the misconception that it is open spaces or going outside they are afraid of. Normally it isn't, it's just that 'outside' is where all the scary people are.

Last edited by The Pook; 03/29/08 06:09 AM.