Getting help - I'm terrified

So, I just started on a project in town that's called "Future trail"
which have coaches that helps people to study or find work, or just helps people with psycological problems.
And first off, before I try studying I will get help to get rid of my agoraphobia.
And I am terrified.

I've talked 2-3 times with my coach, trying to get to know him and so he can get to know me,
but I'm not comfortable with him just yet... not like when I shop with my mum and stuff.
I hate going out without music in my ears... My iPod is my life when I walk outdoors.
So what my coach and me are going to do is that we just... take the car or walk to a nearby supermarket
or another shop where there's a lot of people and try to endure the whole thing...

My coach also told me that maybe I could start some kind of painting-class later on,
so that I can just try to have more communication with other people that have the same interest as me.
Beside my agoraphobia I also have Schizoid Personality Disorder, and my coach knows that me and my psyciatrist
is trying to figure out if I have it or not(I'm still not diagnosed with it but I am 99% sure that I have it).
So he knows a bit how I feel about other people in general, and when he told me about this painting-class...
it felt like he didn't listen... like he wants me to have contact with other people and make new "friends".
A thought I am not comfortable with at all, not even if this could help me with my agoraphobia.
It's so strange to... be comfortable with not having contact with people, but not be able to walk outdoors.

So in a strange way I feel comfortable with not being able to walk outdoors.
I don't know if anyone understands me at all in this matter.

What I'm kind of wondering is,
if you had the same chance I am getting now... would you take it? And try getting better?

Dixetia wrote:What I'm kind of wondering is,
if you had the same chance I am getting now... would you take it? And try getting better?

Yes, I would.

Agoraphobia can be debilitating.

Personally, I think choosing not to socialise with people but to stay at home is okay.
Staying at home because you are afraid to leave or afraid to be around other people is not okay.

Agoraphobia could restrict what you can do with your life. I'd try to beat it if you can. Then if you still want to be a hermit, as least you will know it's because that's the way you want to live - not because you had no other choice.

hello there,
You cannot "beat" agoraphobia. You will always have some varying degree of it. The way I have learned to cope with it in a healthy way is by educating myself as much as possible about the disorder. I have researched online, through books, as well as my licensed therapist to help me understand why I couldn't go past a mile outside of my home. For me, it was all about comfort. I am confortable in my home. It is easier for me to not interact with people than to take a chance and say hi or try to embark on a new friendship. Most people will take the path of least resistance. Agoraphobia is different for everyone. Even my dear friends still do not understand why I seem to put limits on myself because I wasn't always with the disorder. I would take baby steps. If i declared in one month I would be healed, I would fail miserably. It took me over a year to be comfortable with someone in my home other than my spouse. It took me about 8 months to actually go on a highway/freeway. I didnt limit myself to a deadline. I just did a little everyday, even when I was uncomfortable, sweating, heart racing etc. Never give up, it is constant work and it is a process. good luck to you!

i there i know what you are going through i am new to this forum i allso got aggraphobia and sorial phobia for 22years i have never been out on my own since i was 10 year old just thinking a bout it makes me feel sick and shaking and light headed and scared of the unnoune i left school with no grades as i was bullyed there bad i have never had any help until now i am with rethink my support worker is called tracy from peter