The fear of open spaces or crowds is called agoraphobia. So why do some people feel like fish out of water in public places, while others become hostages of their own apartment?1. What is agoraphobia? In the modern world, a huge number of people live in large cities. Sometimes cities become like anthills, where all their inhabitants are running somewhere, in a hurry, and busy with something. With the advent of steam locomotives, steamships, and airplanes, travel and any moves from one place to another are commonplace and do not surprise anyone. Overpopulation of certain regions and excessive urbanization are powerful stress factors for the development of mental disorders. We are talking specifically about neurotic disorders, where the main trigger factor is in the outside world. What is agoraphobia and is feeling uncomfortable in public places a disorder? These are the questions that clients ask me, frightened by the reaction of their body after being in an open space, a crowd of people. Fear of open space or agoraphobia is a mental disorder that belongs to the category of neurotic disorders. But in combination, this symptom can be included in the clinical picture of such diseases as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, depression, panic disorder. At the moment, this pathology is considered not only as a fear of open spaces. Fear of crowds and crowds of people also arises unconsciously. Thus, it is not the place itself that is important, but the negative stimuli that trigger a cascade of negative mental and somatic reactions in response to these stimuli. Initially, the trigger mechanism was represented by real stress: you could find yourself in a crowd frightened by an explosion, in a closed room, fleeing from negatively minded people , be in a truly dangerous situation for health and life. The human psyche tends to remember negative life experiences more than positive ones.2. Why does agoraphobia occur? The causes of agoraphobia, like any other neurotic disorder, are vast and multifaceted. They are a combination of many factors. Heredity plays a separate role. This applies to people who have a family history of mental disorders, alcoholism, drug addiction, and suicide. As a rule, such people have increased anxiety since childhood. Organic pathology of the nervous system can provoke the development of agoraphobia. Violations occur as a result of alcohol intake, drugs, toxins, infectious diseases (encephalitis, meningitis, syphilis). Every year the number of pathologies of cerebral circulation and brain tumors increases, which negatively affects the functioning of structures. Psychotraumatic circumstances in most cases are responsible for the development of agoraphobia. Irrational fear of crowds or open space can arise after being in the middle of a military conflict, a terrorist attack, an attack on the street, or road accidents.3. Who is susceptible to the disease? Some statistics Agoraphobia most often occurs at a young age (from 15 to 25 years). During this period, powerful hormonal and physiological changes in the body occur. A person who is not yet fully formed faces many difficulties: misunderstanding of academic disciplines, rejection of himself and his body, first unsuccessful love, conflicts with parents and teachers, the desire to stand out from others, difficulties communicating with peers, bad company, taking psychoactive substances (drugs and alcohol). Thus, the stress factor when agoraphobia occurs is in the external and sometimes hostile world. Residents of large cities are most often susceptible to neurotic disorders. Difficult working conditions, conflicts in the family, lack of proper rest, lack of sleep, poor nutrition and daily routine are a serious negative background for