I was diagnosed an Agoraphobic at the age of 17.At the age of 16 my panic attacks got so bad I would get up in the middle of class and walk out of the school trembling, sweating, and feeling as though I would pass out until I reached my home and was wrapped in blankets on my bed. I dropped out my Junior Year of High School...because I reached the point where I wouldn't leave my room, not even to go to the doctor. I thought for sure if I went to see one they would lock me up if I told them about all the thoughts going through my head; it felt like "everyone was out to get me" and because of this I became very defensive. After I was diagnosed my friends stopped hanging around me,my girlfriend left me, and I have family members that still won't talk to me. They said it was because "nothing was really wrong with me and I needed to stop being such a"...you can guess where that all went. My own Grandfather told me I was so weak it disgusted him. I started self medicating with alcohol because drug after drug did not seem to work and my self esteem was so crushed by family and friends that I didn't listen to the advice my doctor or therapist would give me.
I'm 25 now and I'm on a couple medications that seem to work for me. I got my GED and am now attending college.
I'm telling you all this because I hope you all don't travel the same road I did. It was one of self-pity and self-destruction, but if you show your doctors and therapists respect listen to what they have to say and make sure they are hearing what you have to say, it can save you a lot of time. There is no cure for Agoraphobia but if you are willing to try it can greatly improve your chances of living a somewhat normal life. I literally cried tears of joy one day because I went for a walk to the store and had small talk with one of the cashiers.
I still struggle to this very day with anxiety. I can't even drive a car because it can be so bad sometimes and it has effected every relationship I've had, but I still have hope and that is your strongest weapon in fighting this disorder.