Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety Support Group

Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."

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Want2Bbetter 12/18/2008

Sometimes when I am starting to get better or can see myself out "there", I get this weird feeling/idea that if I get better I will have to go out there, and out there is where I am afraid.

Anyone understand what I mean?

I think it is again the brain so used to being afraid of going outside into the world that when I actually see it as a possibility my brain says, "wait a minute, that's that scary place".

Hopefully, this too shall pass as I have been going out much lately. I just want to get to the point where I can make an appointment to go somewhere and then I don't fret/worry about it and ruin any chance of enjoying myself.

deleted_user 12/18/2008

I can understand, very much so,:). I once was told by a great therapist that our brains get use to being one way,,and once we do start to get better,,The brains not use to it. Kinda like that old saying,"You can't teach an old dog, New tricks".. Its just a matter of retraining the brain...But just hang on to that Hope,,and yes, this too shall pass.
I'm with ya!,,,I'm still workin on retraining Me.. But We Can Do It

Want2Bbetter 12/18/2008

Thanks!

I also feel a sense of releif when others here on DS have experienced the same. It helps me know this is truly anxiety and anxiety is how we react to our thoughts...

I continue to work on it every day.

deleted_user 12/18/2008

I know what you mean.
For me,I have decided or feel,that my agoraphobia will never really go away.
I will always experince some anxiety and fear in going "out there".But what i am working on is learning to deal with all those fears anxietyies and feelings.To be more in control of them instead of them in control of me.

deleted_user 12/19/2008

Oh yes I totally get what you are saying!!!!! There are a few places I now can go that before I would never have gone w/o someone. Now even on days I feel I need to go out like to the store etc. those dark feelings come back.

Want2Bbetter 12/19/2008

Even though I went this morning to the grocery, bank, and a store, I still have a weird feeling like I couldn't do it again right now. This is such a frustrating state to be in.

I want to go wherever I want to go whenever I want to go without wondering, "what if?"...

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