Agrophobia?

Hi

well here it goes, I don't properly go out of the house on my own, I do go out on my own when I go to college during the week, but normally a college friend who lives nearby calls for me but if he doesn't call for me due to being ill or something I have to get the train on my own and this makes me feel sh*t scared, but I can just about manage it.

I can go out to my local town if I have a friend with me, a friend that will call for me at my house. But I never go out on my own, I have this fear that someone might attack me, I don't feel safe. I have this fear constantly when I'm out, even if I'm with friends. I feel like this is affecting my quality of life but I can't seem to talk about it with anyone. I'm not good at expressing my feeling out loud.

I'm not sure if it's agrophobia, but it has to be something like that. I guess it started as I was a kid, I've always been abit shy towards strangers but staying in all the time started when I was about 12, I'd just sit on my computer all day, playing and making computer games, making music stuff like that. But back then it wasn't down to this fear that'd i'd stay in it was because I was engrossed with computers. I also find it hard to sleep at night, often sleeping in the day instead. The only way I find to get rid of this fear is by drinking alcohol but I don't often do that.

So any comments or anything would be greatly appreciated

MrSunday,

There is the possibility of Agoraphobia. I have my "safe place" and avoid going to a lot of different places due to my fear. It can be hard to deal with and yes it can affect your quality of life. But maybe the best thing for you to do is to seek therapy and find out different ways of coping with your fears. I know that sometimes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or medications can help.

Wish I could help more but keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. Maybe expressing your feelings on here rather than out loud could help too. Take Care


Just some reading about Agoraphobia
http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/agora ... bia101.htm

Give CBT a try. It has made a world of difference in my life. We used three excellent books in my panic and anxiety group
Been there, Done that? DO THIS! by Sam Obitz
An inspiring introductory CBT book from a former anxiety patient.

Feeling Good by David D. Burns MD
A comprehensive book on CBT

Mastery of Your Anxiety and Panic-Third Edition by Michelle Craske and David Barlow
A guide aimed specifically at overcoming Panic Disorder.

I hope this helps.

i've a little bit idea about this disease. as far as i know i'm writing here for them who don't have any on it. in this stage chronic anxiety occurs along with a persistent fear of an object, activity, or situation that results in a compelling desire to avoid it. The patient recognizes the fear as irrational, but can’t suppress it.

healthy wrote:i've a little bit idea about this disease. as far as i know i'm writing here for them who don't have any on it. in this stage chronic anxiety occurs along with a persistent fear of an object, activity, or situation that results in a compelling desire to avoid it. The patient recognizes the fear as irrational, but can’t suppress it.

That is where CBT comes in and teaches you the exercises necessary to manage your anxiety and prevent it from coming back over time. You must eliminate the irrational fear rather than suppress it for lasting relief and that is why CBT is over 90% effective in treating agoraphobia

Mr Sunday 1st of all keep in mind that all pplz in this world come alone and go alone. so Make your mind a brave for more information visit http://www.anxietymaterial.com/Overcome-Agoraphobia-With-Hypnotherapy.html[/url]

I have always been intrigued by Hypnotherapy, but once I got better using the TEA form exercise from the CBT book by Obitz to counter my thoughts I never gave it a try. I hope Hypnotherapy worked for you

Agoraphobia is just one type of phobia, or irrational fear. People with phobias feel dread or panic when they face certain objects, situations, or activities. Agoraphobia affects 1 person in 20 at some stage in their lives. It's most common time of onset is between the ages of 18 and 28. Agoraphobics may experience panic attacks in situations where they feel trapped, insecure, out of control or too far from their personal comfort zone. In severe cases, an agoraphobic may be confined to his or her home.

melisadenny wrote:Agoraphobia is just one type of phobia, or irrational fear. People with phobias feel dread or panic when they face certain objects, situations, or activities. Agoraphobia affects 1 person in 20 at some stage in their lives. It's most common time of onset is between the ages of 18 and 28. Agoraphobics may experience panic attacks in situations where they feel trapped, insecure, out of control or too far from their personal comfort zone. In severe cases, an agoraphobic may be confined to his or her home.

Great characterization. Just remember this can be overcome with CBT