I'm afraid to leave to the house unless I know exactly where I'm going & what's going to happen. etc. I have even faked being sick to go out b4 b/c I hate being in public. Meds (except weed) don't seem to help. How serious is agoraphobia & how can I get over it. No "sassy or mean" comments or I'll report you for abuse like every1 else. Thank you. Oh yeah if you want to give me anti drug speech: flush yourself down the toilet!
2007-05-30 06:10:13 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I suggest you find out what's causing this high level of anxiety. Anxiety and phobias can be due to a physical problem (thyroid, hormone imbalances, anemia, reactions to certain foods, hypoglycemia- to name a few.) Once you correct the problem, the anxiety symptoms (racing heart, weak knees, pounding chest, fear) go away and the phobia fades away.
If you've never had a complete blood count (CBC) done that would be the first place to start. Otherwise, you can always start trying different drugs if that's the road you want to take.
2007-05-30 06:42:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't sound much like Agoraphobia, considering that she is at least willing to leave for school. I'd liken it more to some form of OCD, as it seems she keeps forcing herself to have the same day over and over, down to the meal. It could even just be laziness, or a genuine distaste for people. Not to put unfortunate thoughts into your head, but perhaps someone did something to her (be it bullying or something more sinister) and now she's uncomfortable everywhere but her home. This is the kind of thing that you should consult a professional for, because without more information, there isn't much we can do. Hopefully you'll get someone a little more knowledgeable than me answering here, because this sounds pretty severe.
2016-04-01 05:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agoraphobia is a pain. My mom was having panic attacks that were starting to keep her home more and more. When she was finally willing to accept that it was caused by anxiety, the psychiatrist gave her an anti-anxiety med and Prozac. She gradually was able to go off the anti-anxiety medication.
There is a type of therapy called "exposure and response prevention" in which you gradually expose yourself to what you're afraid of. You should really see a therapist or psychiatrist to get help with this, but the gist of ERP is that you start out with the least amount of discomfort possible -- maybe just talking about what you worry about when you go out.
Then maybe you'd go out with a trusted friend and he'd take you somewhere he knows you like to go, but not tell you beforehand where you're going.
Anyway. You and the therapist would have to set the steps -- I'm just making it up. I hope you start to do better -- agoraphobia is very isolating. It's hard to go to school or work I imagine, which makes things worse in the long run.
I think humor can help too. I know it's not funny, but what if you imagine the most ridiculous situatlon that could happen?
It helps to expose you to what you're afraid of but with laughter, it's not so scarey.
2007-05-30 06:18:15 · answer #3 · answered by rcpeabody1 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was severely agoraphobic for about 6 months. I didn't EVER leave the house. This is what helped me:
Find someone you trust. REALLY trust. And then just take it slowly. Maybe a walk around the block with them. And then go through a drive thru to get a soda (them driving). Gradually it will build up and then it gets easier.
As far as the "anti-drug" thing goes, I know what it feels like and you have to do what it takes to help yourself.
Keep your chin up.
2007-05-30 06:16:02 · answer #4 · answered by Amy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
your issue is deeper than being afraid of going outside intense therapy might help but it might not. My wife could not leave the house for 3 years and every drug in the book as well as every therapy was attempted with no results. In the end a therapy called immersion or flooding worked but it was not fun. She was dragged out and the panic was brought on FULL BORE. This was done over and over until she became resistant to the panic and then it was over.
2007-05-30 06:45:18 · answer #5 · answered by meanpressure0 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I suffered that for along time. I was even asked to be in my 2 brothers weddings and declined. It's hard. You miss out on soooo much!
Please note if I would of had the drug I am on now than I could of been involved. It's such a lifesaver to me.., XANAX!
2007-05-30 06:19:38 · answer #6 · answered by amylr620 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no speech but studies show that MJ can increase anxiety and panic in many people. You need a legal medication. don't allow the anxiety to cripple you. Make small steos and get a therapist.
2007-06-05 14:32:06 · answer #7 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
do u have panic attacks? panic attacks can lead to agoriphobia. i have the most extreme form of claustrophobia and i later developed GAD (general anxiety disorder) which if i hadnt treated it would have eventually lead to agoriphobia .i now take Lexapro which helps me tremendously. email me if u want we can talk
2007-05-30 06:20:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋