I remember after my first hospitalization I refused to go to a certain part of our area. Once my husband forced me, and it was my luck that I spotted a man I knew from work. I don't know if he saw me, but I hid behind my husband.

Some years later, I developed a full blown case of agoraphobia. I couldn't go anywhere. I didn't even want to leave my house, or ideally not even my bedroom except to eat and go to the bathroom. I definitely couldn't go to the grocery store without having a panic attack, abandoning my shopping cart, and speeding home. When my husband took me, I would often either force him to cut the errand short or let me run to the car for safety. He was determined to push me. He'd force me to the movies, and I'd run to the car after 10 minutes. He'd then leave, too.

Eventually my agoraphobia eased and mostly disappeared. Exposure helped, but also cognitive behavioral therapy strategies. Yes, for me, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was extremely valuable. I had a great psychologist at the time. Really, it was the therapy that made the biggest difference.