What is it?
Agoraphobia is a very complex phobia usually manifesting itself as a collection of inter-linked conditions.
For example many agoraphobics also fear being left alone (monophobia), dislike being in any situation where they feel trapped (exhibiting claustrophobia type tendencies) and fear travelling away from their ‘safe’ place, usually the home. Some agoraphobics find they can travel more easily if they have a trusted friend or family member accompanying them, however this can quickly lead to dependency on their carer.
The severity of agoraphobia varies enormously between sufferers from those who are housebound, even room-bound, to those who can travel specific distances within a defined boundary. It is not a fear of open spaces as many people think.
DIY self diagnosis
If you can answer YES to most of the questions it is likely that you are affected by agoraphobia.
During the past 6 months:-
- Did you regularly avoid situations because you are frightened of having a panic attack?
- Did any of the following make you feel anxious:
- Going outside away from your home?
- Standing in long lines?
- Being in a confined space such as being in a tunnel, on the underground, etc.?
- Being at home alone?
- Being in wide open spaces, such as in a field, in a park, etc.?
- Being in crowded places?
- Did you avoid being in any of the above situations?
Anxiety UK strongly advises that people seek further information and guidance from their GP who will be able to make a formal diagnosis.
How we can help
Anxiety UK is a user-led charity with more than forty years experience in supporting those living with anxiety. By becoming a member of Anxiety UK, you will have access to a range of benefits, including:
- Access to reduced cost therapy within two weeks of submitting your therapy request
- Access to our helpline (available Monday-Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm) staffed by volunteers with personal experience of anxiety
- Receipt of four issues of Anxious Times, our quarterly members” magazine
- Access to the members only section of our website, featuring regular support surgeries facilitated by anxiety experts
- Access to specialist helplines, including the psychiatric pharmacy helpline and the psychology information helpline
And many, many other benefits that will help you manage your anxiety long term. To become a member of Anxiety UK click here or ring 08444 775 774 today.
Want to know more?
The Anxiety UK site has information on a range of products to provide more detailed information and help with agoraphobia.
“Overcoming Agoraphobia” was written by Melissa Murphy, a sufferer of agoraphobia. It includes a range of self help strategies and tips for coping with your disorder. You can purchase it from the Anxiety UK online shop by clicking here.
“Overcoming Panic and Agoraphobia” is an evidence based self help guide underpinned by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques. You can purchase this book from the Anxiety UK online shop by clicking here.
Professor Karina Lovell from the University of Manchester was kind enough to donate a copy of her book on agoraphobia to individuals accessing support from Anxiety UK. Click the image below to download a free copy.
Click on the document image to the left or here to download the booklet
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Useful information
Mobile-Acupuncture provides fully qualified traditional acupuncture practitioners to visit you in the comfort of your own home. Our aim is to provide affordable treatments to all sections of the community.
Acupuncture is a system of medicine that originated in China over 2,000 years ago and is still practiced alongside Western Medicine today.
For more information about acupuncture and the services we can offer in your area please visit www.mobile-acupuncture.co.uk/ There is also a freephone number for you to call and speak to a practitioner direct.
Mobile-Acupuncture is proud to sponsor this page.
Personal experiences
Do you suffer from agoraphobia and want to share your experience with other people? Post your personal experience in the comments box below where it will be sent to our moderator for approval. Many people find this part of the site very useful when trying to understand their disorder so your comments really do make a difference. Please note, all comments submitted to the Anxiety UK website may be used by Anxiety UK for (but not limited to) publicity and promotional material.
“I was agoraphobic for almost 15 years. My therapist advised me to try going out one step at a time but I just couldn’t manage it. Around 2002, I just decided to give it a try. It took a few months of hard work, minor (thank goodness) panic attacks and a lot of sweat, but now I can go out and about as if I had never suffered in the first place. I realise however that I must remember that I will always be a ‘recovering agoraphobic’ and that I might therefore relapse at some point, though god willing, this will never happen. For everyone who is totally housebound, and who feels that there is no hope for them, DO NOT GIVE UP. I felt like giving up less than 3 years ago, and look at me now. Agoraphobia can be beaten.”
Clare, Anxiety UK Member
My anxiety centres around being ill whilst away from the safety and comfort of my own home. As soon as I know I’m going to be more than half an hour from my home, or equally if I’m not in control of getting myself back to my home, e.g. travelling with a companion, then the anxiety kicks in. When I’m anxious I get the palpitations and sweats but it goes more to my stomach than my chest so I get acute diarrhoea and nausea. If I can’t get the anxiety under control it starts making me physically sick and therefore compounding my fear of being ill. This has lead to such a vicious cycle that I’m starting to become agoraphobic.
I have had this problem since I was 16…..the fear of vomiting…I still suffer but have learnt to cope….Although Agoraphobic and hate being on my own this has got better over the years..I have to check windows but am desperatly trying to sort this one out
I truly understand how you feel and wish you the best in every step you take
I started with agoraphobia approximately 3 and a half years ago.
It began when I started suffering initially with stress and anxiety. I then had a seizure in a shop as my body could not cope with the stress. I now find it really difficult to go out alone and will not go anywhere outside the house unless I really have to. I recently went on holiday for a week but had a massive panic attack on the way back and am still recovering from it. My partner bought me a dog to keep me company at home as I also hate being alone in case I have a panic attack. I have however learnt to control the attacks by occupying myself with the dog and the internet. I have also started trying to go into shops – even if it is only going down one aisle and then coming straight back out. I’m absolutely terrified if anyone says anything to me, but I am trying to push myself further and further each day, and one day I know I will conquer it. I think you can overcome agoraphobia, but it takes time. If you push yourself and set yourself a task every day, then eventually you will conquer it. I’m at the stage where I can now walk to the corner shop, buy something and walk back home on my own, which I feel very proud of. I never thought that I would go out again at one point in my life, but I am putting this all behind me. Life is too short. Set yourself small goals/tasks and try to stick to them. Do the same task for a couple of weeks every day until you can complete it without anxiety.
Clare
hi i think your doing great i to got a puppy,im sure iv caused him stress he is adorable and a thief lol im not sure thats my doing but he is a very anxious boy,and i do try to be better for him x
I am exactly the same clare I also have found that in the last month i have gotten worse although i really do think i have had agrophobia for sometime as i have been with my loving husband now for 8yrs and i cant seem to cope without him i am always scared that something will go horribly wrong and in 2010 i found out i was expecting our 1st child well throughout my pregnancy i got more and more anxious about being in the hospital myself and convinced myself that they will kill me and my baby, what a frightening experience that was for me. I got to a point that i asked for my own room due to was so scared that if i shared a room with other mums they will judge me and then would take my baby away from me, well the worst case scenario happened there was no seperate rooms for me so i had to be in a room with other mums and i hid behind the curtain for 10hrs before my friend Corrine who i only met in this room helped me relax and not feel that my baby was at harm but as soon as the midwives changed over shifts again i would hide behind my curtain. I have suffered from blackouts at high school many years back :) and since i was 17 i have suffered from depression and anxiety attacks, my doctor then said that he thought i had anxiety issues from the age of 12 due to my parents neglect of me. Which in it self is starnge as apparently it is the middle child that gets this but i am the eldest of 3. I still to this day have anxiety issues but only lately have noticed that i have the symptoms of agrophobia. My doctor is wanting me to go back in dec and do some more tests to find a conclusion to what is happening. I find that if i go away from my home alone i get into a sweat and its so bad that i drench my shirt i wear this is having a dramatic effect on my life as i am so scared to go outside alone that i rather stay home where as 3yrs ago i would go out till 1am ok still with a friend but not the same as i am now. I even avoid going out with my husband and our son due to so scared. If i have to go out i will force myself although this is so difficult because with me being a big woman size 24 and when i sweat people look at me as though they are disgusted as they think im sweating due to my weight but what they dont realise is it is not this, so again i avoid going out. If i do go to town i also am so scared if anyone talks to me or even looks at me as my anxiety just goes through the roof, it is so hard.
Susan
I had my first agoraphobic panic attack aged 12.
I am now 59 and still get them and my life has been a series of work arounds. Although I have great difficulties with the Great Outdoors I have found a way to get to most places I want to. I found all those years ago that I could manage to get out with a bike and then with a car although I still have a bike in the boot. Now my latest acquisition is a bike that weighs only 6 kg and folds into nearly nothing so I bought a decent rucksack and bingo I managed to get up the peaks in Glen Coe. I hope this helps someone. I don’t think I’ll ever be free of the Agora but at least I’ve got it in a corner so to speak. Still can’t fly anywhere which is a pity.
Dale
hi im sorry uv suffered so long but glad ur making it better iv not had nhs help and have avoided everything and now dont let people in house either so im my own worst enemy i havent told anyone not my family and iv become really horrible have fallen out with most old pals,i think everyone should leave me as i cant stand having to put a face on it,so i got them to go.iv only started to use laptop and i hate it to ! lol no one mentions being angry im so sensitve now i just dissapear.
I am so sorry to hear that you have not confided in anyone about your agoraphobia. it is not a condition to be ashamed of. it can happen to anyone at any time. i am agoraphobic and have been for 5 yrs ( i am 44yrs), yes it is hard to deal with and does knock your confidence a lot. the feeling of worthlessness and failure go with the condition. i hope by now you have sought some help and let those who love you know. if you want to speak then feel free to contact me whenever you wish. best wishes.
tracy
Hi I’m 42 and its been several years now that I have been without my agoraphobia type phobia.
My CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) assisted my recovery by making me understand the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) method. I was staying indoors nearly all the time and had done so for over 15 years. I wish now that I had managed to get better and get onto the path to recovery much sooner. I missed out on enjoying so much of my 20s and 30s and although I still experience difficulty around social situations, I’m slowly improving. So anyone who has a phobia I’d recommend you try CBT. If you stick at it you will eventually stop feeling self conscious and will get out of the habit of staying at home.
John
Hiya im now 26 years old i have been house bound since i was 23 years old, i lost my job in 2008 and i had just found out i was pregnant, i stopped going out only went out with her dad, my family or friend. Then when i had my daughter all looking forward to pushing my buggie around still couldnt get out became anxious over my baby crying for food (breast feed till age two!!) or nappy change and its not convenient…shopping was pointless at that early stage. Then as she got older it was the worry of her having a terrible two’s tantrum in the shop….something i can deal with calmly when in company but i would panic if on my own. I had anxiety panic attacks in my teens, school day s though didnt recognise it at the time, so iv always had to deal with panic attacks….when i did use to go shopping on my own in a busy city centre…if i felt a panic attack come on i would go to a fitting room in a shop (monsoon my fav) try on some pretty gowns look in the mirror and say you look fine no one knows you have panic attack issues, just deep breath smile ya look good stop panicking. Then if someone in fitting room saw you in the outfit would boost your confidence when they say you look lovely….it helped alot!! My Anxiety was down too a dad who was not there for me all about my step mom, i grew up without my mom due to abuse…and grew up with my uncle and nan…which i enjoyed…but it was like no one was there to talk to about how i felt my nan died when i was 11…i had to grow up very fast…i was living on my own at age 15….iv always been missy independant…despite anxiety feeling insecure etc….also iv always had no trouble with attention of boys…and even in my second largest girls school i felt girls who wernt my friends were jelous…bitchy had to deal with some nasty girls….and i was overwhelmed by attention by boys too….iv always had an athletic/curvacious figure….bit of a j-lo bum as appose to a decent size chest….but iv always found hard to deal with it ….you walk with confidence girls hate you….and boys love you….you walk with your head between your legs and everyones like what is up with her….you cant win anyway its made it hard and not having a mom…is hard….my friends who have children very few …as most just finnished uni etc…they all have fab mom’s familys who baby sit or go shopping with them….the support i dont have and thats hard i always new having children would be hard in that way for me. Im a tough cookie iv been through alot so i know not to give up my daughter starts morning sessions at nursery soon …next month which she needs other kids etc….i need to get better because i want to take my daughter out on my own….which im too afraid to do ahhh bus ahhh walking….iv had driving lessons…il be ready to do my test as im a confident driver only reason why i want to drive so much is i hate walking on main roads!! And i want independance back…then im to afraid to go to open parks on my own for fear of creeps out there who rape women…maybe i watch to much crime watch! Before i had my daughter no issue im athletic got every exercise machine in the house (as i dont go gym) i know if anything bad happen when im on my own i can run like the wind ….but when you have your kids they do slow you down and i fear should something bad happen how would i get away from it with her in toe….i dont think cbt would help me…but please someone tell me where can i go to a support group with fellow suffers…in the west midlands…i know they have them in London. I really relate to alot of you…sickness…sweats …pulpatations etc..i particuarly relate to Pauline…im a singer …play guitar and write all the time ..i would love to pursue as a career or personal trainner my other love sports i feel like i will never be able to live the life i want to live because my anxiety…agrophob….and fear holds me back.
Hello, I’m a teacher and I’ve been suffering from agoraphobia for 23 years.
I’ve had individual/group psychotherapy… that helped for a while until the next major life-event came along. The root cause of my fear of open-spaces came from my parents neglecting me as a baby. They used to leave me in my pram alone in a park, and during a thunderstorm. I was unaffected by agoraphobia until the age of about 30 – that’s when my wife started threatening me with divorce and this triggered the anxiety. I had a nervous breakdown and after another 8 years I let her go. The panic associated with agoraphobia can be mild or severe depending on the level of stress/phobic-situation. It seems to come and go for me. It’s the open-spaces that affect me most. As there are 1001 phobias, I consider myself to be ‘normal’….you know, we all know someone with a fear of spiders presenting with panic-disorder like ours and we can’t understand theirs and vice-versa. Theirs is a ‘specific-phobia’ and they can remove/exit the situation but with agoraphobia, it envelops you. Having read the other readers’ experiences, it seems that the answer lies with extending your comfort-zone/radius by gradual exposure and attending self-help groups. Regards.
John
Hello, I hope this gives some encouragement.
I suffered from agoraphobia from the age of 12 but I’m sure that I might have had the symptoms of this condition even before this. I was put on Valium and ignored. I forced myself to get on with my life – hiding my problem from most of my friends. When I did have an attack I usually ended up in casualty somewhere because whomever I was with thought I was about to die and called an ambulance. Eventually the agoraphobia took hold completely and I became a prisoner in my bedroom – terrified out of the outside world. One day I decided enough was enough and I sought help. That was 15 years ago and I have not had a full blown panic attack since. I know how to deal with anxiety now and stop panic it its tracks. I have travelled the world solo – going to some of the most remote places in the world and some of the most populated. The day I stood looking at Everest was my proudest – I was free.
Andrea
Hello Andrea,
You didn’t say how you were cured, it seems almost
miraculous!!
My anxiety centres around being ill whilst away from the safety and comfort of my own home.
As soon as I know I’m going to be more than half an hour from my home, or equally if I’m not in control of getting myself back to my home, e.g. travelling with a companion, then the anxiety kicks in. When I’m anxious I get the palpitations and sweats but it goes more to my stomach than my chest so I get acute diarrhoea and nausea. If I can’t get the anxiety under control it starts making me physically sick and therefore compounding my fear of being ill. This has lead to such a vicious cycle that I’m starting to become agoraphobic.
Anon
I have been agrophobic for 15 years, at the start of my symptoms i had a job but was barely coping with it. Seven years ago the stress of having to go away from my comfort zone every day tipped me over the edge and i had a bit of a breakdown, i had to give up work, and i became virtually housebound. I had some councelling and a phsyciatric nurse visited me at home. That was seven years ago, i still cant go out on my own, but i have just had a 5 day holiday with my husband and grandaughter, i am immensely proud of myself for that, and if i can do it anyone can. I still have a long way to go, but i am determined to do it, so nobody give up, keep trying, you will do it.
Jan
im not sure how many years.this has been going on and have lost the bit in me that makes me try,i read tdy for 1st time about agrophobia as im just trying to master laptop! well done for going on hols,its hard to do but a dif world once your there. elaine
Andrea,
How did u do it? I’ve never met anyone who’s beat it.
I get around Manchester ok, but outside manchester is difficult and i’ve not flown since 1991.
hi,
my anxiety (panic attacks) come on only in a certain place- in a whole school assembly which is a massive room crowded with other pupils in total silence. Last year it reached it’s point and i felt like leaving the room as i had trouble breathing ect ect and i felt faint but this year i’ve sort of overcome it. i still feel scared sometimes even petrified going into an assembly. i don’t worry about being away from home and i just don’t understand! my family has a history of anxiety/mental disorders and i’m worried. I also worry of situations where i am put in the spotlight and i don’t answer questions in class anymore. can someone please explain what i have?
I suffered with Agorophobia for over a year when I was 12 years old. I am not sure exactly what brought it on, it was probably a culmination of things. I started getting panic attacks when I was 10 years old, and consequently I was bullied at school. This is probably what heightened my anxiety and led to social anxiety disorder.
The only thing that got me through this time was my faith in God, and my determination not to give up trying. Taking small steps in recovery, I was able to go out more, form friendships and build on my self esteem.
As an adult, I look back in disbelief that I actually got that ill, and work hard every day to make sure that I continue to do the things that scare me, building my confidence as a result.
If you are suffering, there is hope, and you are not alone.
I just went to the shop and honestly thought “im going to die”. That was a very interesting visit to the shop!
I am still here! I made it to the shop, but kinda puts me off wanting to go again!
Thanks,
David
I live in France and it takes all my courage to just take our rubbish up to the bins! I have to talk myself into walking up the road! If I see my neighbour out, who I have to pass, I can walk past when I feel ok, but generally, I wait until there is no one there! I am soooo horribly conscious walking past houses, seeing them all looking at me, which they no doubt do! When a car goes past, I pretend to fiddle with something, like look at my hands whilst they go past – but then I can’t look up too fast, in case people notice!!!
I would love to go for walks but can’t by myself. When my husband and I go to a restaurant, he either gets up first to search out the toilets or comes with me and waits for me – how sad is that?!!
Yet strangly when I HAVE no choice to be on my own, I can cope and feel ridiculously proud of myself!
I guess this all stems from not being comfortable with being me. I had hoped being 41 would make things easier, but all my age does, is makes me feel shame that I have not got over it by now!!
Suzzane i feel just like you and im 26 year old mom….go back a few messages and you will see my long long comment so refreshing to hear you have to be aided to the toilet or your partner or someone has to find it first and tell you where your going. And yes walking past houses and thinking someone is at the window watching you …and if you look and there is someone watching how awkward is that….yes if i have to doctors dentist hospital anything serious or job interviews in the past i can ace it pretty well on my own because i know there will be someone picking me up at the end of it! Really relate to you!!
This is exactly how I get it..! I am not afraid of crowds, or open spaces..my phobia is distance measured by how long I can manage to get home in the state of panic, currently this is about 15 minutes distance away. My condition began by an upset stomach. I now have IBS and since all my panic sensations surround my stomach and mirroring that of an upset stomach such as sweats, getting really hot, stomach cramps, urgent need for the toilet, feeling sick etc, i developed coprophobia first, which grew into agoroaphobia. I am terrified of having a panic attack, and it is that which holds me back. I fear, fear. I have spent over 10 years trying to learn to ride the fear, but unfortunately for me it hasn’t worked and has only served to reinforce my agoraphobia. The reason for this is because what I am afraid of does happen..I am not afraid Im going to die..Im afraid of having a panic attack, so if I do then I have proven to myself the worst will happen.
Its almost like reading about myself…..10 years down the line, after help, therapy, countless proffesionals, nothing worked, I am still stuck at home, its fear of the fear, I am done trying, I have nothing left and yet at 32, sitting watching the world go by is soul destroying!
Hi Helen
I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a difficult time. Is there any occasion that you felt better during the past 10 years? It might be helpful to try to remember what you had done at those periods and see what can help you feel better. It is very important that you have faith in yourself and you could overcome this anxiety eventually because there are a lot of people out there, suffering from anxiety, they are also doing their jobs to beat this anxiety. Please feel free to ring us on 08444 775 774 and speak to one of us for more advice and information regarding anxiety management.
Best wishes
Shirley
Hi, sorry to hear about what you’re going through. I am exactly the same as i fear having a panic attack and this then prevents me from doing things i want to do. I also worry not about the place i am going to but i need to know if i can get back ok and how far away i am and this will help me. Once i get to a new place say this be a gig venue or just the supermarket or anywhere i look for the bathrooms so i know exactly where they are if i need a minute or where the exits are and this helps cool off my panic. I also learnt to drive and I have found that this is when i do not suffer my anxiety as i am concentrating on my driving and i am in control and if need be i can stop the car whenever but because i know i can i never need to where as i am not good on public transport because of this. If you drive maybe let yourself know you have your car and can leave at any time you need to whenever you are out and about and take it slowly and gradually build further away from your home or if not a driver maybe ask a friend or family member who drives to accompany you and once again if you need to leave they have the car which will always get you home safely and also privately. I hope this can be of some help to you as i know how hard suffereing from this can be
I also worry about getting back and I tend to work around a close journey from my house where I know I am safe. I do drive too but I won’t go anywhere in my car in case I get stuck in traffic and what happens if I am driving and find myself about to panic, I cant stop or if I am stuck in traffic, I can’t just leave my car. I do get my partner to come with me, that does help but the fear just stops me now, the progress I once made is a distant memory…the sad thing is..its all of my own doing, its all in head. Thanks for your reply., I will tame on board your comments
I have sufferd from Agoraphobia for over 20 years and dispite help from cpns have no luck in getting out could u give me any advice.
Regards
Mr J Lawson
mr j lawson,
right in this game you have to be strong, think right, why should i not go here, or there, im fed up with this crap!!!!! whats the worst thats gonna happen, (your not gonna die)
firstly, get fit, do lots of exersize,
get off medication, cause it dont work!!!!!!!! ive tried it… you need to be t-total,
cavemen didnt have citralopram, its not natural, (or any other crap)
no alcohol, this was my downfall, and it worked for years, kind of like dutch courage, have half a bottle of vodka, no more problem!!!! (not any more) the next day, you will get anxious x 10.
but exersize does work, do it at home, then get a bike, as someone mentioned above, walk or ride down the road with it, then you no you can quickly get back home on it!!!! go a little futher each day!!! take some water with you on the bike, set yourself goals, make a chart, see how far you can go, soon youll be saying wow, last week i was stuck in this shithole, now im at the end of the rd, i ride loads now, keeps me fit, and gets me out the house!!!! (stay of the alcohol) its the worst thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i carry a bottle of water everywhere with me its like a comfort thing,
ive a got a van, im self employed plumber, gas engineer, ive had panic attacks since 16 years old, from smoking drugs!!! one day bam, something happend in my brain!!!!! anxioty, then led to agrophobia, i thought it was vertigo for years, doctors didnt have a clue……
so back to the van, another way to get around, if youve got a car, try the same, go small distances from home, get further away. (get your freedom back.) think possitive,
like tell yourself wow its not that bad, im liking my freedom!!!!
i first started parking my van as close to the places that i was working or going, no im not so botthered, i park wherever and walk the rest, with my bottle of water, and carrying something, its my way and it works for me!!!!
something else, ok so the thoght of going to a town or city bothers you,
it used to me,
(ok) some still do, right the first thing to remember, is theres loads of shops, so if your feeling crap outside, dart into a cafe or whatever, have a look around, till you feel less axious, then carry on, you have to learn to control your breathing, relax, relex get relax cd and master it!!!!!
the longer you stay in town the less the anxioty/ agrophobia will bother you.
go with a friend someone who you trust!!! someone who nows about your agrophobia, and someone that you trust, and wants to help you!!!!!
good luck
think positive, lifes to short to worry!!!
ive been to domican republic, tunisia, france spain, and next thailand, in a month,
dont let it get you!!! (tell yourself you want to bet it)
the mind is incredably powerfull,
its your thoughts that are doing it to you!!!!
i don’t have any faith in cpns as i had a bad experience when one locked me in his car, exposure as he called it and it set me right bad and then some more. so much for cbt. i can not help other than be here if you wish to speak or moan to. i have been agoraphobic now for 5 yrs and am worse if anything and when people keep on and on it doesn’t help at all, quite the opposite. i have tried acupuncture, hypnotheraphy, etc.. maybe one day it will happen, that is what keeps me going. take care,
tracy
HI Tracy,
If you are a paid member of Anxiety UK we have a gentleman who has made great progress with his agoraophobia who hosts our weekly chat sessions in the members area of the site. You should bob by on a Tuesday evening between 7 and 9 for a chat.
Best wishes
Cat (Anxiety UK)
I’m 20 and have severe emetophobia and it has made me become agoraphobic as I’m so scared of being sick outside and also having a panic attack. I have been agoraphobic for 7 months now but was agoraphobic for 3 years in my early teens. I can’t seem to stop relapsing. Finding this website and realising I’m not alone in suffering this is an amazing help and is giving me the confidence to keep on trying, luckily I also have an amazing support worker who has incredible patience with me. At the moment I rely on Diazepam tablets to get me out to my appointments but I hope one day I can do it without.
Keep holding on guys, you’re not alone.
Team Agoraphobia! (http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/face-your-fears/)
Nicky has suffered with agoraphobia for 20 years. It has meant she has gone from being unable to go out at all, to being unable to leave Manchester for over 20 years. She has pledged to travel to Leeds and do some shopping (a real challenge for a sufferer of panic attacks and agoraphobia). To donate to Nicky’s cause please go to http://www.bmycharity.com/teamagoraphobia
my husbands anxiety has turned into agoraphobia. He retches and is sick at the tiniest bit of stress and so now cannot go out for fear of this happening. He’s had loads of self help books and CD’s and is finding the relaxation CD’s very helpful, lots of breathing exercises and trying to retrain his brain, it’s not easy. Does any one know of any genuine ways to find work from home as I think this would give him something to focus on. I don’t think the Government have any sympathy for people with mental illness and i can see his sickness benefit being stopped as he should just pull himself together (I wish they would suffer like he suffers they might be a bit more understanding). Does anyone have any ideas? He can’t speak on the phone nor can he use a computer but I can help him with that. At the moment he can ony speak to me but hopefully that will change eventually. He used to be so full of confidence but i think nearly 30 years of psoriasis and ill health in general has gradually dragged him down to where he is now.
agoraphobia takes all ones self confidence and it tends to go hand in hand with depression. is your husband on anti-depressants? i assume your g.p. visits him. i am also stuck at home and am trying to find a genuine job that i can do at home as it will occupy my mind as that is some of the problem. i am a trained nurse but am unable to do it at the moment and the lack of focus makes things worse. i understand the lack of self worth your husband is going through and with him being the ‘man of the house’ i would imagine he also feels a failure. agoraphobia is not understood and it is very hard for others to understand. there is no reason your husband should lose his benefits. this is not a condition that can be sorted in a matter of days/weeks/months, there is no time limit but you sound such a wonderful supportive wife and all you can do is be there for him and not put any pressure on him. well done you. if you ever want to talk then i am here. good luck.
tracy
Hiya Tracy are you a member on here ? If you go back few messages you will see the longest message on here about me….im 26 years old and i really need to crack this i feel my youth is escaping me i dont want to be like this all my life! HELP.
I just wanted to say this is a very similar problem to what I have. I fear becoming unwell, feeling or being sick when being away from home or the safety of my bedroom. It’s constantly on my mind and it’s not escapable. I am so anxious that I start to feel sick and then there’s no turning back from it. I fear what I eat, to drink alcohol and how late I stay out of the house. I know I have to tackle it because I begin my University studies in Spetember but I am struggling. It’s comforting to hear stories of people in similar situations despite me being only 18 years old.
Hi Jodi,
Have you also had a look at the emetophobia page? This condition focuses on a fear of being sick, as well as sometimes lapsing into agoraphobia. Also – why don’t you think about having a course of CBT prior to going to Uni? It might help you get over some of these problems.
Best wishes
Cat (Anxiety UK)
Jodi im 26 years old, my probs started in my teens…not quite the same as yours Agrophobia-but just wanted to say your not alone in age and having these problems ! : ) The key i know is knowing life does not stay still and is always changing….and look for hope that in future years you wont feel like this.
Hello,
Just to also say that I also started with my panic attacks in my teens and I am now 20 and still suffer. I first started off with general panic attacks due to moving away from family but they made me feel dizzy and therefore developed a fear of passing out which led to my health anxiety and agoraphobia. I wish I could go about daily life without having this but I always try my best to think positive as this really can help and try to tell yourself I will be better in the future and be patient with it even though I know this is the hardest thing. I do find it hard in social situations not because i am not confident but because I know I may be travelling on public transport and i am not in control and therefore wonder if i can get back ok.
If anyone has any tips on how to help control the fears of health anxiety and agoraphobia then please do let me know as i am open to try different techniques as i am very tired of this now.
Thank you
Hi there
First of all, you need to understand that when we are experiencing panic attacks, it is almost impossible for us to pass out or to faint because the heart is going so fast and the body is extremely altered etc. Anxiety is the result of irrational thoughts and negative thinking, and these thoughts can trigger all sort of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms, including panic attacks and dizziness, and can change our behaviour, i.e. avoidance. Focusing on these thoughts or the physical symptoms or even the bahaviour will only reinforce the anxiety and phobia itself, and it’s just not worth doing it. Motivate yourself to face the problems positively and pro-actively. Talking therapies, e.g. CBT or counselling, are the ideal treatments for anxiety and phobia. Also, do you do alot of exercise? Exercise can ease your anxiety and stress levels, and can take away these worries and negative thinking. 45mins exercise a day, 5 days a week is better than any anti-depressants available. Please visit our Get Help session for more information on the help and support available to you.
Best wishes
Andy
Hi, i just want to say that it is nice knowing that im not alone. I suffer from extreme, agraphobia, panic disorder, and OCD. i have been like this for neary seven years and im only 18. its nice to know that im not alone. my problems started when i was 11 years old and i was coping with an epeleptic and alchoholic mother, whom i loved very much, she died when i was 14, then a year after my electric blanket caught fire while i was in the bed luckily i wasn’t hurt, but after everything i have been through this website has given me hope! thanks everyone!
Lowri
i truly understand how u feel.i am suffering fromexactly the same symptoms they are as much physical as mental.i am not recieving any help or support from neither doctors nor family.there attitude seems to be \get a grip if we can do it so can u.we allhave problems,your just making excuses\im finding this condition cripiling.wish the right help was out there for me
Thanks for the support, judgment: i am not making excucses, i hope you find the help you need.
I was diagnosed with agoraphobia by my GP at 16 after i experienced extreme stress and panic attacks during my GCSE exams. For the first few months i didn’t leave my room, and didn’t let anyone in my room as the sight of seeing objects moving around me made me feel dizzy. I stayed home and missed family holidays, never went out with friends and quit dancing. Now, a year on i will soon be turning 18 and i am recovering. I now go out regularly, sometimes even without my dad who is the one i depended greatly and wouldn’t go anywhere without. I rejoined my dancing and go out with friends. I even manged to sit my first year A level exams which i never thought i would be able to do as this i where it all started! I am very proud of myself and even though i have a long way to go i know i can do it! have faith in yourself and believe and you WILL get better!
thanks for the support, Well done! i try and think of every little step as a success ive actually had trouble with going to my drivng lessons but today i conquered it! thanks again for your kind words!
am age 35
I have suffered with agoraphobia 20 years I’ve got no friends no support yes I have online friends but I do not like anyone to know am ashamed of myself for being like this yes I am semi disabled two
With a form cerebral palsy I live with my father to elder sisters that’s sad enough I’ve had girlfriends yes it was nice but they could not understand its a struggle to carry on day after day am at this stage where I will not leave my room
i totally understand where you are coming from. i used to be a staff nurse, busy all the time working nights and weekends while looking after my two daughters, keeping house, looking after the animals, etc., so i went from being busy busy busy to nothing. i now have no self worth, i can’t even contribute towards the household as i can’t get a job. i don’t leave my house as such as i can’t even get out of my street. it is now 5 yrs and every day is a struggle. i have two wonderful daughters and a magnificent husband but there are days where i am selfish and hope not to wake up and start the fighting process all over again.