Do I have Agoraphobia?

To be honest I'm not sure.

For some months now I've found it quite difficult to go outside. And I'm terrified of going into town. If I ever go into town I'll go early in the morning, and will only go a certain route to town, where not so many people walk.

I dont know whats brought this on, as last year I was fine going into town. But because of this recent fear, I've even quit going out with my friends, and if I do go out with them, I'll only go to the park.

But I'm so scared of going into town. I feel everyone is looking at me, and I feel so un-safe. I don't have a great deal of confidence either, and HATE it when people watch me.

But if I go on holiday somewhere, to another country, I am absoutly fine when going out and about, and feel relaxed enough to wear a skirt. I don't understand why I'm completey different in another country, than when I'm in England.

aww dont be scared. try and get over your fear. i allways feel as if someones watching me so i go out, wear makeup (doesnt work).
grr im not good at giving advise


xx emmerrrr

It could be, or it could be just plain old fun anxiety.... I used to fear going outside my house, I would even be anxiety ridden going around the corner to my friends house or to the store down the street.

What are you afraid will happen to you if you go somewhere?

If you fear that people will watch you and judge you when you go out, it's not agoraphobia but social phobia. I had this sort of fears too... Agoraphobia is rather the fear of having a panic attack - it's the fear of fear itself : agoraphobic people think the symptoms they experience during a panic attack are indicators of a serious disease... think they're going to have a heart attack when their heart starts beating fast during those episodes, for instance... well, that sort of thing.
Perhaps it's different when you're travelling in another country because you know you won't see again the people you encounter there, so you're more relaxed

Anyway I agree with xxemmziexx, try not to avoid the situations you fear, it'll only get worse if you do. Practise some sort of relaxation if you can, that could help...
And try to change your bad thoughts when they come : people are NOT watching you in the street, they have plenty of other things on their minds (you're not yet a star ) - they've got their own life... and problems.

Bye !

Rascal wrote:To be honest I'm not sure.

For some months now I've found it quite difficult to go outside. And I'm terrified of going into town. If I ever go into town I'll go early in the morning, and will only go a certain route to town, where not so many people walk.

I dont know whats brought this on, as last year I was fine going into town. But because of this recent fear, I've even quit going out with my friends, and if I do go out with them, I'll only go to the park.

But I'm so scared of going into town. I feel everyone is looking at me, and I feel so un-safe. I don't have a great deal of confidence either, and HATE it when people watch me.

But if I go on holiday somewhere, to another country, I am absoutly fine when going out and about, and feel relaxed enough to wear a skirt. I don't understand why I'm completey different in another country, than when I'm in England.

sounds like it's not the going outside part that you are afraid of but that you may be afraid of running into people you know in town.

in england you are relaxed because there is no chance if running into someone you know.