I'm 41 and have agoraphobia too. Just wanted to sent some understanding and support your way.

I am also 41. I have always been shy.
I can't say for certain that I have agoraphobia, though.
I grew up in a dysfuncional family which I believe caused most of my issues. I married an abusive man at a young age. I also was in an emotionally abusive relationship with a prominant man in my very small town. I suffered character assasination from him and his ex-wife's family.
This makes it really hard to go out into my own community.
The fact that I have a somewhat public job makes it even worse!
I will go for days with very little food because I find it very difficual just to go to the grocery store.
Right now I need to get out of the house, but I am procrastinating. I need groceries and I'm afriaid my mother is coming over. Thankfully, I do live alone and love my time here by myself. I am bored, but dread when my mother stops by on occasion as she is still a dysfuncionally draining presence to me.
Good luck with getting out into the working world again. I believe you can do it!

43 right here! Have made great progress with my social anxiety at this ripe age, but still working it out. Glad you are lkg for support - well wishes to ya!

How do I respond to individual posts here?

Is there a quote button for posts? Is there also an edit button? I'm new here, sorry.

I don't think so, but I wish there was! (quote button or edit)

Hi,
I have delt with not leaving the house all
my life. I understand the feeling of dread
that happens when you do leave the house.
I am 40 years young. Im very anti-social.
Im a divorced mom of 2 teenagers. You can talk to me -if you want.

Hi im Karl 45 years old,i struggle with agoraphobia every day,the whole cycle wears me out sometimes,but im here if you need to chat!!

Hi,
I guess I'm the oldest here dealing with this as I will be 60 next month and have dealt with this all my life although as a child we didn't know what it was, and I had a firm Mother who just said do it! Which did not help. I still have to force myself to go places and be around many people:( But I know if I don't go out some I'll get to the place I can't at all. I have went through therapy twice and it helped some. Now if you put me in a place full of animals I'm fine, I love animals and find them relaxing for me.
Your not alone and I'm fairly new to this group but find it very helpful as it lets you know you are not alone dealing with this stuff.
Hugs
milliesissy22

Thank you Cherie, thank you for requesting frienship. Being a mom sounds like alot of scrunity from other parents. I don't have kids like I said but it is kind of sad to hear how people talk to each other.

chanjohn, I can understand your family problems and leading to the wrong people. It seems I haven't been good at telling good from bad people, and in between. I was overlooking the attitude. I feel I am better at it, I still have to get a job and be around others and see how I am better at it. I stopped going to college and want to return. So you have had mean people from past relationships uh how horrible, just continue anxiety problems, that is pretty bad. I hope you could get your groceries regularly. I suppose you have thought driving further out to shop however to avoid people. Can I ask what kind of public job you have? I would like to do customer service in the future. Not would like..so much...but I can do that without many other skills. That's somewhat public but I suppose you are a professional? I am going to have to work my way up to that.

hereandnow5, thanks for your support. I'm glad you have overcome some things, its very rewarding. I have overcome some things with some psychology and spiritual books I've read.

maybetomo...I wish there was too, thanks for chiming in.

febreze, thanks for responding. I never got used to living at my parents house, and its strange how living there for so long and not really knowing anyone. I suppose if I had kids I'd be the same way too. I could live in one area and not feel real comfortable. I like people, I just sense a lot of negative vibes and don't trust easily. I would like to make more effort but its hard.

Karl42, thank you, I'm glad you are getting on with most things, that is what I want to do. I have a lot less anxiety, its mainly shame of my work history.

milliesissy22, good to hear from you. I love animals too, I'm thinking of volunteering at an animal shelter for some references

41 here. I am more on the social anxiety end of things.

Sorry to hear about your relationship ending. It sounds like you are motivated and ready to heal. Good ingredients to start your recovery. :-)

Acebot, thanks. I am hoping to talk with a therapist. It would be easier than going in mental circles at this point.

wow! lots of replys and so much in common with so many here. have you tried shopping in a diffrent town thats what i do...why do so many of us have so much fear and anxiety?

@lonelyshay, I always look at my anxiety as something happening to me -- i.e. I'm not worried about shopping in another town at all, it does trigger my anxiety symptoms however.

It has really helped me to separate the irrational fears (worries/stress really) from legitimate feelings. Now it almost like I have a cold or flu. I go about my day and deal with the symptoms as they come.

I totally relate. I am 36, live with my 2 dogs, and am single. Been with a fiance who committed suicide during an argument we were having, which caused my severe anxiety brought on by PTSD. I also have agoraphobia to the point where I don't want to leave the house without my dogs. I manage to go to work in the day, but even then I panic over not being home. I am scared to be out at night, so I don't even go there. I did get married in '05 but kicked him out after 3 months, turned out he wanted a second mommy to take care of him while he slept all day. I have my issues but I am not a door mat and won't put up with a guys crap. I am now happy being single, not dating. Don't need the drama. But would be nice to make a friend on here to talk about our issues and have some understanding. Here if you would like to chat :)