Agraphobia?

Question

I have suffered with agraphobia for over 2 years. My CPN has just phoned me to say she is bringing an Occupational Therapist next week to work on strategies to get me outdoors.

I am in a state of panic just at the thought of it.

What sorts of things will they suggest and will they force me to go outside?

Answer 1

It's very hard to overcome agoraphobia but if you take really small steps, anyone can overcome it. They might suggest just taking one step outside and then going back in. After that, try to take 2 steps and see how you feel. One thing that helps panic attacks is accepting the panic and observe how it makes you feel. You know it doesn't physically harm you, so that means it's just uncomfortable feelings. Knowing that you can tell yourself, well this happens all the time, and it always goes away and it never physically harms me. Realizing that seems to help a lot. You'll do fine.

Answer 2

They will get you to do very simple things like opening the front door and taking 2 steps out, turning around and going inside again. This simple exercise will be extended a bit at a time and the number of paces increased and thereby the distance from your front door. It could be extended over weeks until you start to feel more confident.
I had a relative that suffered with this phobia and was able after similar treatment to go out and be away from the house but she always put a time limit on the exercise. She was finally cured completely when she had Cancer and needed to get out to see people and show that she was fighting it. Best of luck to you and be patient as one day maybe soon you will be able to take your place in the world again.

Answer 3

They cannot MAKE you do anything. However, you want to be able to, not just go "outside", but to ENJOY "outside" again. Panic has probably placed you where you are. I have suffered from panic nearly all my life (I'm 41 now), until about 7 years ago when I found Celexa. Try to imagine being outside and the worst possible scenario happens - you panic and freak. You get hit by a bus, or a drive-by shooting etc etc. Now imagine it over and over again - don't stop or get side tracked - keep thinking it through. Write it down. Eventually the thought loses it's power and becomes just plain boring. Once that occurs, imagine being outside - with just you and nature- no one else, and you are just breathing fresh air and are completely relaxed. meditate this scene. It won't happen overnight - but this type of work helps immensely.

Answer 4

You have the right to say no to ANY treatment they offer you, and they WILL NOT FORCE you to do anything.

Please try not to panic - they are trying to help, and will take things at your pace.

I'm not sure what they will suggest, as I am only at the beginning stages of treatment, but remember, you can say no if you want to.

You are having Negative Automatic Thoughts because of what your CPN told you. You need to recognise that these thoughts are not helpful and they are distorted - try writing down how you feel and also try writing down how the situation might appear to someone else, to help you recognise the thinking errors you are having.

Hope this helps, and remember that they will not force you to do anything.

Answer 5

they wont force you outside i imagine they will talk to you and teach you some methods you can use to help control you agraphobia when you go out, eventually they might ask you to step outside and try and practise these techniques. there take it slowly as if they push it to much it can make you worse, but they have to push you a little. i know it will be hard but think how nice it will be when you are better, and think of this as the beginning, dont stress over it try and see it as a positive step, good luck

Answer 6

I am sure all of us at some time have a bout of agoraphobia, I hate going to shopping precincts because of all the faces and people who are complete strangers, I spend hours and hours on my lap-top and sometimes it is such a bind to get up and go out! Perhaps this consumer and nuclear society adds to the problems whereby we are kept in brick cages and have a silver box or flat screen telling us how cruel and violent the world "out there" is. Perhaps your CPN could take you for a gentle walk in the countryside on a beautiful Spring morning, the only people you would meet may be the odd rambler or dog-walker, aha, maybe you could take someones dog for a walk, then bit by bit as you adapt to at least going out, take on a village pub garden for lunch? Then perhaps, go to a shopping centre as you begin to get more accustomed to seeing people? Concentrate on the beautiful things we have in this England of ours, can you believe I saw an Egret on the marshes today nr Pevensey Castle..the last time I saw an Egret was in Florida the year before last.
I wish you all the best in your programme of recovery and I hope it may not be too long before you are able to enjoy the wonderful things "out there".

Answer 7

No they can't force you to do anything, you can refuse. They will discuss treatment options with you.

But if you want to improve your condition you must be prepared to change and change can some time make you feel uncomfortable.

It will probably start with some type of desensitisation programme, like standing on your door step for 5 Min's

Answer 8

You should look forward to any help you can get, because if successful, there is a whole beautiful world waiting to show it's spendor to you...Don't concern yourself with the treatment or the thought of going outdoors, don't fight the therapy,you will be so happy when your phobia is gone.

Answer 9

There are numerous medications which treat agoraphobia. The benzos are most popular -- Valium, Xanax, Klonopin, etc.

Answer 10

have you tried going out very late at night. they will take things very slowly for you it`ll be alright.