Anybody else here ever had agoraphobia ?

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

Agoraphobia is a fear of open spaces .

( This is not a copycat thread . )

[Droopy]

1. Sort of

I used to be afraid to leave the house, but not because I was afraid of open spaces, but because I was afraid of people. I could be outside and as long as there weren't people around I'd be cool.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

3. For me it was the fear of public places ...

places where there were a lot of people . I went through it for a bit in college but not anymore thank Goodness .

[Mojambo]

4. I'm like that currently

Since I lost my job a couple of years ago it's been increasingly bad.

In the last 2 weeks (aside from trips to the corner grocer) I've only left the house 4 times.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

5. Have you seen a doctor or gotten any treatment ?

Take it from me , I did not leave the house for nearly 2 years , don't waste your life in the house like that .

[Mojambo]

9. I haven't the means to seek treatment.

I know there are options, but I haven't found the drive to seek them.

Part of my problem is that I fail to follow through with things. I'm starting to think I might have some kind of avoidant personality condition.

The irony being that I avoid seeking treatment just like I avoid every other aspect of living.

I keep thinking that the next day something will happen and I'll get back into my old way of living, but I don't do anything to to make it happen.

I feel like a very lazy, uninspired man.

And maybe I am.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

10. I hope things get better for you .

That's how I was . I knew there options for me but I never felt like seeking help , I just got over my condition naturally . You are not uninspired , see you're at the DU , that's hope right there ;)

[Mojambo]

11. Thank you

I do take solace in the fact that you were able to turn things around. Maybe there is some hope yet for me.

My association with DU is one of the few things I take pride in!

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

12. I hope the reason for you turning everything around is more

happier for you though ... it took the death of a loved one for me to change .

[Droopy]

6. Well, Mojambo

I wish I could say something to help you out, but I think your situation might be different than mine. My irrational fear of people was caused by psychosis. I used to think that people had supernatural powers that I did not have. I used to think that people could communicate telepathically and that they could read my mind and see my most private thoughts.

If this sounds familiar in your circumstance then an anti-psychotic should clear things up. If it doesn't sound familiar, well, an anti-psychotic might clear it up anyway. ;)

Here's to you getting better and getting out there and enjoying the world.

[Lorien]

8. The grocery store and Costco are the

only places I go (Have a job but haven't been paid in 7 months). Leaving the house four times in two weeks seems pretty good to me. :shrug:

[Lorien]

7. I'm a bit like that

but these days I don't go outside because my once beautiful neighborhood is wrecked by three hurricanes and idiot nervous neighbors who have cut down everything standing around there homes AFTER the hurricanes. My privacy fence in the backyard has been crushed by fallen debris, and I now have a clear view of the three story concrete apartment complex behind my home (never knew it was there before with all the greenery-cut down by neighbors, not the hurricanes). Their high powered security lights keep my bedrooms well lit at night, so my shades are drawn all the time. I really need to move.

[cruadin]

2. No, but I did have an attack of claustrophobia once...

in a VERY crowded bus station. Very disturbing, but it only ever happened the one time.