I did for a while. I just started having seizures and strokes in 2005. It helps if you have someone along with you ie. a friend or family member, who knows your condition and what to do in that situation. The numbers of how many people who are unaware of this condition is amazing. Sure, people may look at you, but you have to put it in your head that you will not let this illness control you. I know it is easier said than done...trust me. With epilepsy you will have seizures whether you are at home or somewhere else. Just make sure you are in a safe situation like I said about having someone with you. I'm sure you don't drive unless your seizures are under control, so go out and have a good time. I try to think of it this way, if someone does see me have a seizure, that is one more person who is a bit more educated about epilepsy and what it does. At first I was highly embarrassed, good thing I'm out of it when I come out of a seizure. It is hard looking around at a bunch of faces you do not recognize when you really don't know where you are to begin with....but I found that it is worth it. Take care and I hope this message was of some help to you :D

I DONT LIKE BEING AROUND A LOT OF PEOPLE NEITHER,THATS WHY I DONT GO OUT,OR DONT HAVE ANY FRIENDS,I WAS THE SAME AT SCHOOL AND HAVE BEEN THE SAME EVER SINCE LOVE SHIRLXX

for a long time yes... i am still not seziure free..and i usually have a family member with me or a friend when i go out.. i remember one time going shopping after a dr. appt. by myself ...i was feeling off that day and i had a complex partial seziure in the department store...not a drop seziure mind you... but when i came back to i could not remember my address etc..or where i was.... luckily i always use the same taxi company and called them... after digging through my purse and they always keep recored of where they drop me off etc... so i was safe....

i realized that day if i put saftey measures in place i would be okay

yes i still hesitate to go out alone.....personally i dont call it agoraphobia...tell your neruo to walk in your shoes for a day before he labels you...sigh...

it can be very scary to come around and not recongize where you are or be able to communicate to people but you cannot let it stop you from living your life... put some saftey measures in place... cell phones...taxi companys...etc... and go out and enjoy your life that day... if your feeling off that day...stay home... if your tired stay home...but hey if your having a good day and have had plenty of rest...give it a shot and enjoy the day... dont let epilepsy keep you captive... there is life after dx...

hugs
heather

I agree with everything heather1 said! Especially about having whichever doctor gave this label to you- she/he does need to experience life through our eyes before this damned label is given out!

Moodycow,
Have you ever heard of the self fulfilling prophecy. It's basically about people who are given labels, from any context..and that person (such as yourself) begins to believe the label is true...even if it isn't. THen that person, lives thei life making decision, according to how that "labeled" person would. Now, the thought process of the labeled person, is completely involuntary. What i mean is that you wouldn't even realize that you're making decisions like an agoraphobic, you'd think you were just being cautious, or responsible. So what I'm getting at is this...I agree that the doc who gave you that label is loopy. Try to get a second opinion. I mean, who would want to be in public when you fear public humiliation, or rejection. I think most of us with seizures have been in the same spot as you...but some of us weren't labeled asthe agoraphobes. So, yes, be reponsible, live your life, but don't take the label of agoraphobic too seriously, unless you've had a second opinion.
You are strong, you can be self confident, and independent. Right now, work on getting your seizures under control, and you'll see that you're just as normal as anyone else.
I wish you much luck! Stay strong chickadee! :)