Anyone have agoraphobia?

I could check that but I'm hesitating as going outside for groceries, allthough it isn't always easy, it's still a reason for me to go outside. I also have AvpD and SpD.

I have dealt with this, and at times still do. Meditating and visualizing myself taking the trip before I go, sometimes days before really help. Also, once there, if I feel panic, I breath, I pray, I slow down, I admit, accept, and embrace my feelings as genuine, but not harmful. If all else fails, I count. 1,2,3,4, etc. all the while still doing what I came there to do. Just counting in my mind and focus on the count, as a means to replace my focus of the panic.

I certainly experience a lot of these issues myself, to the point where its affected relationships with both my family and friends. My family really don't understand, they take it personally that they don't see me often. I truly don't know how many friends I'd have left if I didn't live with half of them lol.

My employer is forcing me to come back into the office after allowing me to work from home for the last two years. I just hope this turns out to be a blessing in disguise...

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.

Hi all. I never thought I had Agoraphobia because I had only heard of severe cases of it, like shown in the movie Copycat with Siguorney Weaver. Most recently it seems I'm so afraid of the social awkwardness or potentially having an attack that I can't bear to go to places I'm not familiar with. I've even made plans to go out with friends, gone to their house (because I've been there) and then had to go back home because I couldn't deal with the idea of going to some random place with a bunch of people I don't know, etc
Now I spend more and more time at home because I sew from home and it makes it harder to venture out of the house. I miss being around people but I get so anxious and worried when I go out.

Like Squaw I don't like to take meds...I don't have insurance either so I'm not really sure what to do. I'm just hoping to find a local group to go to around here.

You're not alone.

Add yet another agoraphobic to the list. Although, unfortunately, I have panic attacks even when I don't leave the house. My diagnosis is pretty complicated though, as there is a lot more to it than just panic and anxiety. After two years of therapy, I am beginning to see progress and my hard work is starting to pay off. When I started therapy I literally didn't go anywhere other than my Ts office. I would get so upset going there that we would have to go sit outside because I felt too trapped in his office to be able to speak or think! Very, very slowly I have added to the list of things that I can do. I got my own apartment, do my own shopping, and even go to a support group once a week. My life is far from the functional future I dream of (a job, a family, a house, ect...), but I have a great deal of hope!

I do not have it but I definitely see the signs of me getting it very soon