Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 (Tek) 9/26/83; site shark.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!shark!hutch From: hutch@shark.UUCP (Stephen Hutchison) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: Re: Agoraphobia Message-ID: <484@shark.UUCP> Date: Wed, 8-Feb-84 12:54:07 EST Article-I.D.: shark.484 Posted: Wed Feb 8 12:54:07 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 10-Feb-84 09:06:16 EST References: <955@cwruecmp.UUCP> Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 17 Actually, though it has been adapted to mean "fear of open places" the real condition of Agorophobia is the fear of the marketplace. Agoros (Greek, y'know) means "marketplace" and there is a specific syndrome of being afraid of going out into the crowded marketplace. This nasty neurosis has paralyzed many women (who seem to suffer more often than men) and keeps tham completely afraid to go out in public. However, they have NO fear of open spaces per se. As long as they don't have to MEET a crowd they are fine. They also feel just fine with meeting a single stranger. Real strange syndrome. The term "vertigo" better describes the sensation one suffers from when afraid of open places, since it is (reportedly) like a clutching fear that one will fall into the open. Hutch