> > Of course, my experience was almost ruined because I am agoraphobic, and can't handle being in large crouds of people. I mean, people were litteraly on every side of me. But, I digress....
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> I always thought agoraphobia was fear of open spaces. Is it the crowding that you can't handle (like claustrophobia, being closed-in) or the idea of all those people? No offence intended if this is too personal. I'm just interested to know. It must make life difficult.

It's not too personal. Most people do believe that agoraphobia is the fear of open spaces but it's really the fear of being in a crowded space where you can't escape if you start to have a panic attack. I think a reason I'm so scared in this situation is because I have had panic attacks in large crowds before. And yes, it's the crowding that gets me. If I am surrounded on every side I get terribly scared, which is what causes the attack. So I am almost afraid to put myself in those situations.

It's also a fear of going somewhere alone. Agoraphobics tend to need to have a 'safe person' with them wherever they go. Someone that they trust. It took me until just about a few years ago to conquer going to the store alone. I am lucky because my fear is not as bad as other's fear, and I have been able to work out a lot of it. There are still someplaces and situations though that I avoid altogether.

famous