Imagine being stuck in your house. Every time you attempt to leave, terrible fear grips you. So, it’s just easier to hide inside, instead of going out. The term for it in English is “agoraphobia” from the Greek words “agora,” meaning marketplace; and “phobia,” which means fear. The Japanese call it “hikikomori.” They believe it occurs mostly in adolescents, although many older adults suffer from it too.
A patient of mine, who I’ll call Alice*…

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