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."
Hi, I'm new here. I've struggled with severe social anxiety for the past three years. I was diagnosed with agoraphobia for a short while but that was later changed to PTSD. However, I still feel agoraphobia correctly describes the severity of my social anxiety. It's hard for me to leave the house or go to public places. I fear I will see people I know and that they will talk to me. I fear I will then have an anxiety attack where my face gets bright red, and I feel a strong need to escape, but that I won't be able to escape. Most people don't understand because anxiety is thrown around so much. It's hard to explain how debilitating my anxiety is. Most don't struggle with it to this extent. I'm working on exposure therapy and putting myself into new situations to prove to myself I am capable of handling whatever comes up, even my anxiety attacks. Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to get over the fear of seeing people I know in public?
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I'm horrified! I knew my insurance would go up due to getting a new car but I didn't expect it to go up over $2,000. I did have an accident with the snow/ice in the winter. I was just telling my brother that I have had my car since March 2, 2026 and have only spent $75 on an oil change. Now this! I called another insurance company and their quote was over $4,000. I guess I have to pay...
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I can completely relate to what you are talking about. And I've had anxiety and panic attacks well over 20 years now, so I get what you're saying. But you CAN and will live a normal life!
What I do is talk therapy with a therapist, and I take anti anxiety medication every day. This is what helps me get through the day, but believe me, it is still hard and challenging each day.
So, to answer your question, a therapist can help you with your fear of going out in public, and also of talking to people in public. And the medication can help with just feeling anxious or panicky. Your profile says you are 17, and I am not sure that is your real age or not, but if you are, you could ask your parents that you want to see a psychiatrist and also that you want to start therapy with a therapist or a psychologist.
Know that you are not alone. And that you're going to get better.
I always was the type to say hello to someone I haven't seen in awhile if saw them them like at a store or restaurant --now, I hold my head down and go the opposite direction because I am not what I used to be and have grown tired of explaining what happened which had all this occur within me....And I don't like the look of shock from people when they hear me talk. I usually don't give a damn what people think of me, but it's just the experience of seeing their reaction that's upsetting....
There's still just too many stigmas regarding anxiety and mental health challenges.
You can also say sorry I don’t have time to talk right now I’m in a rush.
You can set as many boundaries as you need to get through anything outside of your home.
When I drive I try to look at my route as one light to the next. Break everything down into short doable tasks.
I hope this helps