The word “agoraphobia” comes from two Greek words, which literally mean, “a fear of the marketplace”. Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that is brought on by the fear of having a panic attack in circumstances or a setting from which you believe there is no easy means of escape.

Agoraphobia is a condition in which you become anxious in environments that are not familiar to you or where you think that you will have little or no control. Traveling, even if it is for short distances, wide open spaces or crowds may all be triggers for agoraphobia.

There is another phobia that can be confused with agoraphobia. This phobia is demophobia. Do you believe that you have demophobia? If you do, you may meet the requirements for social security disability benefits like SSDI or SSI. The right thing to do is to go to socialsecurityhome.com, and get the advise of one of the social security attorneys. The social security attorneys at socialsecurityhome.com are skilled in matters relating to disability benefits.

Actually, demophobia is marked by one aspect of agoraphobia. Demophobia is the fear of crowds, demonstrations or mobs. Demophobia is the fear of being in a crowded place.

Demophobia is the result of an unconscious defense (overprotection) mechanism. Demophobia is usually brought about by your mind over-protecting you from something that it considers to be a real, genuine danger to you. In many cases, demophobia is the result of an unresolved emotional conflict in your life.

In the case of demophobia, your mind sees demonstrations, mobs or crowds as being a threat or something that may harm you. Crowded places are something that you try to avoid because of this phobia.

The signs and symptoms that result from demophobia may be physical, emotional and mental in nature. The fear and anxiety that you experience may range anywhere from mild feelings of anxiety to a full-blown panic attack.

Most of the time, the closer you are to crowded situations, the greater your fear will be. However, because your fear is about crowds and not the actual crowds, themselves, you may experience a strong fear reaction just by using your mind.

There are several signs and symptoms that may be an indication of demophobia. Some of these include:

• An inability to function in your normal way because of your anxiety
• A feeling of uncontrollable anxiety when you are expose to or think about crowds
• The knowledge that your fears are exaggerated or unreasonable but feeling like you have no power to control them
• The feeling that you have to do everything in your power to stay away from crowds
• Fear of losing control or going crazy
• A fear of fainting
• Persistent worry over coming events that will involve crowds
• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or unsteady
• Shortness of breath or a smothering sensation
• A pounding heart, palpitations or an accelerated heart rate
• Shaking or trembling
• Stomach distress or nausea
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Cold or hot flashes
• Tingling sensations or numbness

Related articles

• Managing Day-to-Day With Agoraphobia (everydayhealth.com)
• What is SSDI? (socialsecurityhome.com)
• What is SSI? (socialsecurityhome.com)

Agoraphobia is a condition where you become anxious in environments that are unfamiliar, or where you perceive that you will have little control. Crowds, traveling, even when it is for short distances, or wide open spaces can all be triggers for this anxiety.

Agoraphobia is often compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as you may be afraid that you will have a panic attack and appear to be distraught in public. Agoraphobics may have panic attacks in situations where they feel insecure, out of control, trapped or too far from their personal comfort zone. As a result, people with agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the person may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this “safe place.”

At any given time, the National Institute of Mental Health estimates that there are 3.2 million people in America between the ages of 18-54 who have agoraphobia.  Agoraphobia is about twice as common in women as in men.

Agoraphobia will cause anxiety that you will have a panic attack when you are in a situation from which escape is not possible or is embarrassing or difficult. Other affects caused by this disorder are disorientation, rapid heartbeat, intense fear, diarrhea and dizziness.

There are serious complications that can result or be associated with agoraphobia that can cause you to be unable to work. Some of these are becoming homebound for years, difficulty doing normal, daily activities, difficulty with relationships, alcohol or substance abuse, depression and anxiety and extreme dependence on others.

If this describes the situation of you or a loved one, you may need help. You may need financial help.

Who can you turn to for help? Who can and will help you? Where will the financial assistance that you need come from?

Have you or your loved one thought about applying for Social Security disability benefits or disability benefits from the Social Security Administration because of the disability caused by agoraphobia and/or complications resulting from it. Have you or your loved one already done this and been denied?

You or your loved one may be wondering what to do next? What can you do? What options do you have?

One option that is open to you or your loved one is to appeal the denial by the Social Security Administration. If you decide to do this, here is something to consider.

You may need a disability lawyer like the one at socialsecurityhome.com to assist you in this process. This is true because people who are represented by a disability attorney are approved more often than those people without a lawyer.

Do not put this off. Contact the skilled disability attorney at socialsecurityhome.com, today.