Agoraphobia?

Question

Any helpful ideas on how to conquer it?
Please!!

I am able to walk my dogs for miles accross common land but you ask me to go to the shops, out for a drink or to the cinema or something and I go into complete meltdown!!

Have on occasion stood in the middle of a field and screamed.!!!
And have seen several docs over the years and shrinks.
Been on anti-depressants too.

Agora is greek for market place, a lot of folk think this phobia is a fear of open spaces it isn't, I have done a lot of research especially when I was diagnosed as I thought the same thing, if I can go outside etc etc!

Answer 1

Agoraphobia is the fear of closed places,such as stores and malls,etc.I suffer form anxiety with agoraphobia.I can go outside in the open,but the minute I am in a close place or where there are alot of people,I panic.I become sweaty,and shaky.I feel like the world is closing in around me.Sometimes I get to a check out line and starting shoving food onto the conveyor to hurry the check out process along.
Agoraphobia is really hard to deal with when you have to go to you child's band concert or play,or even your daughters prom grand march. Or even your sons college graduation.Going to the doctor can be awful also,they always want to shut the door for you to wait for the doctor,Personally I say "I think not" and they will leave the door open.
Going to soccer games and baseball games are easier b/c they are outside.

DO NOT START TAKING ATIVAN OR XANAX--these are narcotics that are addictive.They also decrease your level of thinking and can make you feel blah and not want to do your normal routine.I took both of them and was addicted to them.It came to the point where they were not working anymore and going up on the dose was not an option b/c I was on the highest dose possible. I started taking Vistaril 2 years ago and it works well.You do not feel tired all the time and you function normally.

And yes Vistaril is an anti-histimine,but in mental health it is used as an anti-anxiety.

JRL-LPN

Answer 2

Counselling maybe a good idea to help you conquer it.Would I be right in saying that the problems more with confined spaces than with actually venturing out. In the meantime at least it is good that you can go out to some extent, get out as much as you can and where you feel comfortable doing so. Good luck and all the best.

Answer 3

It seems u have a fear of bein outside with other people.I assume that when ure in a field u have no one in close proximity and feel less threatened..A good idea would be to look in ure local paper and see if u can find someone who can help with phobias..

Answer 4

You do need to see a therapist, and you may need meds. This is an anxiety disorder and is treatable. Can you go shopping with a friend, or is it just when you are alone? Try going with a friend, just for coffee, something simple.

Answer 5

i have the same try rescue remedy from boots or health shops

Answer 6

i dont think you can have agrophobia if you can go out,i thought people with this dont go outside at all go to your gp and get his advice. good luck.

Answer 7

Alprazolam an anti-anxiety drug.

Answer 8

Stand in a field - and plead to be in an even bigger one !

Answer 9

therapy.... phone your GP