I am like this too..If i leave the house I have to be medicated. Once out I can speak...things like..please thankyou, excuse me..I find it difficult to make eye contact because I don't want to encourage coversation and not looking at them is a way for me to "hide" sort of the "if i cant see you, you cant see me" thing. Also..besides the agorapobia is the xenophobia, no one comes in...and I also hate (almost to the point of panic) the telephone ringing,
Nice to know I'm not alone
bosley

Thank you bosely! I didn't used to be like this...it's just kind of progressed over the years. Sometimes I take xanax before going out, but I've not in a bit...trying Wellbutrin to see if it helps. I'm like you with the phone. If I do talk to someone sometimes I'm ok after and sometimes I am so exhausted feeling that I really have to debate answering that phone!

I used to be agoraphobic, not with people but with other "non safe areas". You have to use the same skills you would with any anxiety situation. Accept, don't fight, the feelings of anxiety and they WILL pass. I recommend a good book The Worry Trap by C. Lejeune. It's very helpful, as well as relaxation tapes, deep breathing and positive self talk. You can read about a helpful program I'm using. I wrote about it in my journal entry a few days ago. Hope this helps. Good Luck. You can do it!

wow! im with you on this one, i hate ppl looking at me....i feel they are judging me, i cannot eat/drink infront of ppl,because i get so worried,i tremble,and the thought of ppl seeing me shake scares me to death,that i will look stupid,and they will comment...x

I have this problem. I feel so uncomfortable when people look at me as it usually makes me blush which i find embarrassing. Even if it was just some random person saying hello i would blush, or at least i feel as if i'm blushing. Makes me so nervous and panic, and want to run home.

I've just found that excepting that's the way i am has helped me a little. I also try not to look at people when im out in public lol that way i can avoid all the anxiety!

Yeah, I definitely know what you mean. I have been afraid of pretty much everything for as long as I can remember. I am very uncomfortable with being around people and giving eye contact but I don't know why. I've gotten better though with some things but even walking down the street or anywhere, it's hard for me to look at people or say Hi. And it's especially hard for me to start or keep conversations going.

Definately know where you are coming from.
I wish i could be invisable when I go out.

i definantly have this problem with people. its not that i dont like people either im just afraid of them. i cant write in public without shaking really bad. i have to write things down if i am making a phone call. i dont mind if the phone rings and i have to answer it but i dont like answering the front door and talking to people. i have to medicate too when i go out. it doesnt help to the point that i can talk to people but it makes it more manageable. i have only been like this for three years. im not sure what happenned to me.

I feel the same way i would stay in the house all the time if i could to many people make me scared but i don't know why i think i am afraid they are talking about me and they know i am different. If someone starts talking to me i freak and panic i take xanax before i go anywhere to calm me down and if i get too nervous i hide behind my husband. I feel like eveyone knows what i have and they are going to lable me and i don't want that i want to be normal but there is no way it is hard just to say hello to someone i say hello and i want to run and hide so they can't see me. So i know how you feel too, it is a terrible feeling to have to live with but we have it and we do have to live with it unfortunately

I was/am (depending upon the day) am the same way. I found that nothing but premedicating myself and 'self talk affirmations, like I can do this today, over and over' and making a point of going out, or doing it when I know I have to go out. It has taken me over a year, but it is getting better to the point when I just take my meds with me when I go out. Remember, it is all baby steps and we can take those step. Imagine that someone who you love and is supportive of you is with you, there holding your hand and cheering to on.
I hope that some of this helps you.
But please don't beat yourself up over it, you can over come.

I understand how your feeling I cant stand for someone to look at me, I avoid people at all cost. I think im afaid that they wil judge me or be able to see through to the real me and wont be accepting. Even walking to the mailbox or driving is a huge challenge for me, because I start to panic. It used to not be so bad but it has gotten much worse recently. I am taking wellbutrin and ativan and it is sometimes helpful..you are not alone....

oh definately - my doc sais im delusional but i dont think so - i can understand some of my thinking is not quite right, but I really do have a absolute fear of pweople looking at me - and I dont look at other people either

Yeah man I know :\ I hate people lookin at me so much, it's actually crippling :[ I mean that's why I'm so boring, I never wanna go outside.

Feel exactly the same as you, although I am not too great at socialising (social phobia). I have always been self concious of people looking at me ~ I think it is low self esteem ~ I dont like myself ~ god knows why, but I think that is why I dont like anyone looking at me ~ can you look at yourself in the mirror without feeling awkward?

I am agoraphobic too. I sometimes feel like people are looking at me but they aren't. For ex. on the bus..getting on the city bus..I think they are staring at me but really the seats are facing forward so where else are they going to look?Plus people are bored out of their gourd so of course they will look. I also think this when I am walking and people are staring. But, really no they are just walking and they need to look forward!