i have a severe phobia of wide open spaces.
[{"role": "system", "content": "Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by symptoms of anxiety in situations where the person perceives the environment to be unsafe with no easy way to get away. These situations can include open spaces, public transit, shopping malls, or simply being outside the home. Being in these situations may result in a panic attack. The symptoms occur nearly every time the situation is encountered and last for more than six months. Those affected will go to great lengths to avoid these situations. In severe cases people may become unable to leave their homes. Agoraphobia is believed to be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The condition often runs in families, and stressful events such as the death of a parent or being attacked may be a trigger. In the DSM-5 agoraphobia is classified as a phobia along with specific phobias and social phobia. Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include separation anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. Those affected are at higher risk of depression and substance use disorder. Without treatment it is uncommon for agoraphobia to resolve. Treatment is typically with a type of counselling called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).\n"}, {"role": "user", "content": "I know someone who suffers from agoraphobia."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "Really? What is agoraphobia? Is that one of the anxiety disorders?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "It's the fear of wide open spaces. It can also be fear of crowds, which would cause social anxiety and even traveling short distances."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "That sounds really difficult. Can it be treated with cognitive behavioral therapy?"}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes it can be treated with cognitive behavorial counseling.. I know it's considered an anxiety disorder."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I think agoraphobia doesn't usually resolve on its own, so therapy must be pretty important. "}, {"role": "user", "content": "Yes therapy is extremely important to help recovery. I was surprised to find out that it could also be inherited."}, {"role": "assistant", "content": "I did not know that.  Wow. I understand people who have this disorder are also at greater risk for substance abuse and depression. It sounds very hard."}]