As a long term sufferer of agoraphobia, I get sick and tired of people rolling their eyes and thinking I'm faking the condition. Yes, a small percentage may use "fake agoraphobia" as an excuse for laziness, not wanting to see people and medication. However, agoraphobia is a real diagnosable medical condition. Just ask yourself "Are people really afraid of spiders?".

My particular symptoms manifest in crowded spaces, and trigger debilitating panic attacks. Yes, I know it's irrational, as most phobias are, but I'm certainly not faking being an agoraphobe. Being agoraphobic has a massive impact on daily life, and little more understanding, especially from friends and family would reduce the "fake" stigma surrounding the condition.