So fed up with Agoraphobia?

Question

I am a 21 year old agorophobic sufferer and i want to get better before my baby is born in feb nextyear. i cant go on antidepressents as im pregnant and wouldnt want to go on them again anyway! i am waiting to see a counsellor/phyciatrist as there is a long wait for that. I dont want to carry on this way. theres lots of programmes online that claim to cure agoraphobia but they are way to expensive as im on benefits! i cant afford to pay all that money. im desperate to b well again,for my sake and my unborn babys.
is there any way that i can get over this? hypnotherapy seems a good idea but isnt it expensive and how would i get to the sessions?im housebound as it is, getting to a doctor is bad enough.

its easy to say get over it buts its harder to do when it agoraphobia is all you know

Answer 1

I am afraid you are going to have to try to work on it. Take things slowly and look for support from friends and/or family, just don't try to tackle this alone. Try to do something you normally won't be able to do, maybe sit on the back porch for a few hours or maybe at a small local park for a short time. Be proud of accomplishments and try to make new ones in the near future. This will not be an easy thing to get over, and its best to take small steps over a long time.

Answer 2

I am a sociophobic, somewhat akin to your phobia. I do not like meeting people, I do not socialize and avoid all groups other than immediate family or those who are already friends.
Even then I do not want to go out to see them, I would prefer they came to see me. I avoid family gatherings and even those events I would really love, such as concerts or musicals, plays, etc. Because of the numbers of people. All I can tell you is that as you get older it gets worse. I have a very difficult time going to the doctor I have been seeing for years. I know if he retires it will be extremely difficult to find a new one as I hate meeting any new persons. I take xanac and other antidepressants, I seldom leave my private garden, it is almost to the point of duress to get me away from home.
This gives you no answers I know, but maybe it helps to know you are not alone. I have been this way from very early childhood and it has gotten much worse as I have gotten older. Try a mental health clinic they are usually funded through state aid. I go and have found that I can meet people there that I can relate with more comfortably. Wear dark glasses, sort of incognito, go out with a supportive friend for short walks or short car trips even for a half hour twice a week.. Come home when it gets uncomfortable.

Answer 3

I personally wouldn't trust online programmes that cost a lot of money and claim to cure you of agrophobia-i'm not saying they definitely don't work, but i'd be very careful about parting with my cash in such a way.
you might be able to find some self-help books though that may be able to help you. i know they can cost money too but i reckon they might be cheaper than online programmes. Maybe you could try to find a forum online that deals with issues such as agrophobia and ask others there what their experiences have been , they may even be able to recommend some reading. Not amazing advice i know but you might find having a place where you can be anonymous and share your feelings is of use

Best of luck with it all and hope it works out for you
Moose x

Answer 4

http://www.changethatsrightnow.com/agoraphobia.asp
http://www.paniccure.com/Open_Letter/Agoraphobia_panic_disorder_cure.htm
http://www.instant-hypnosis.com/hypnosis/agoraphobia_cure_hypnosis.aspx

The last link is hypnotherapy you can do from your computer. It is £6.95. There are plenty of support groups that can help you. Don't ever feel alone. I wish you the best of luck and hope this helps. Meanwhile, enjoy your pregnancy and congratulations!

Answer 5

I think you will be fine. I will pray for you.