Agrophobia chris

[Chris4]

I’m new, just logged in, cna you please direct me to the forum where I may find support for agrophobia, thanks , appreciated, Chris

[PamelaR]

Hi Chris4 and welcome to Beyond Blue

It's good you've found your way to our forums. Feel free to join in discussions that you think suit your particular situation. To do this, do a search by going to the search field at the top of the page and type in the keyword agrophobia. Other keywords you might like to use include - social anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders.

You're not alone Chris. Keep reaching out if and when you want to. Share more of your story here if you want.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[blondguy]

Hi Chris

Good on you for posting and thankyou

I used to have agoraphobia and it was awful....I understand where you are coming from as I had difficulty leaving the house when I was in my 20's....ugh!

There is no such question as a dumb one on the forums. I hope you can let us know a little more about your symptoms so we can provide you with better support with this condition

I dont know how you feel at this time Chris....yet can I wish you all the best for the New Year if thats okay

Just a note....The forums are a Safe and Non judgemental place for you to post Chris. Your privacy and well being is paramount to us

my kind thoughts for you

Paul

[Chris4]

Thanks PamelaR, how nice of you to reply, 😊 ..my Xams, New Years and January - when I have a few family birthday get togthers and summer get togethers, was a particularly hard time for me. But I want to be glass half full, so thanks for your reply, cos I didn’t know about the search option 😊 . I will use that ! And I can say that there are ways to cope with being stuck at home when everyone else in my family is out and about. It’s nice to listen to the radio. It’s nice to have a dog. It’s nice to cook. It’s nice to receive emails and iMessages from family. And i can now think it’s nice to have compassion from this forum where there is understanding. All the best Pamela xx😊

[Chris4]

Hi Paul, thanks for recognising the steps in self acknowledgment, I have only just started using the word agrophobia, even though I was diagnosed. Cos it seemed so silly, why wouldn’t I just get in my car and drive off to do an errand? Thanks for telling me you had it too, and if you can, ...ok if not, can you share what tricks helped you get out of the house? I have a dog and a radio, that’s my comfort. You said no dumb questions. I have one 😂 I’ve been at home for 2 years, so all routines have fallen away, I thought to reconnect with my choir, my church, and my op shop shift, gradually. So this is my dumb thought, what do I say when everyone in those spaces says where have you been?

[White_Rose]

Dear Chris

Welcome to the forum, it's good to meet you.

The word agoraphobia means fear of the market place and comes from the Greek word agora which means market place. I expect you already know this but I like to know when possible what these sorts of terms mean and where they come from. I think it's an apt name as it states exactly what it means for those unfortunate enough to have this condition.

You are quite correct in saying many people do not really understand what the illness means and how it affects others. The agora was the centre of life for Greeks and being afraid to go there meant missing out on almost everything that made life good. And this is exactly what happens. I was sorry to read you have endured this for two years without being able to venture outside. It may seem silly to some but it is something that affects our lives very deeply.

It's great to know you are working on how to get out of your home. What has happened in these years you have been at home? How did you buy groceries and clothes? I am asking because I wonder if you had someone to take you to do these activities. If so it may be a way to start reconnecting to your neighbourhood. If you are asked the question, "Where have you been for the past couple of years." it depends on what you want to tell people. Do you want to let everyone know how difficult life has been for you? Do you want to give a light, off-hand answer. I think this is the question to ask yourself first. And of course you may wish to give different answers to different people depending on your relationship with others.

Once you have worked out how many different answers you want to give you can start crafting your answers. For casual acquaintances simply say you needed to stay home for a while. Those who have a big role in your life they can be told you have a medical condition which requires you to stay indoors.

There is more I want to say but have suddenly developed a huge headache. Please excuse me.

Mary

[blondguy]

Hey Chris4

Thanks heaps for posting back such a complimentary post!

Good on you for using the 'agoraphobia' word.....Its still only a word 🙂 This condition is still an anxiety related issue so even if you use the anxiety word thats fine too.

When I had difficulty leaving the house...I was a nervous wreck....overthinking...and over worrying..about everything...I was 23 at the time in 1983

This awful condition is temporary.....I called for help and asked for a Mental Health worker to help from my local council...He was great and did one home visit and offered to help as long as I attended weekly appointments at the community center....I gave it a go and I have never had agoraphobia since. I did have to talk a small dose of an anti anxiety med to get to the community center for a couple of appointments though

The therapy lasted for six months....this guy helped me get my career....personal life and some peace of mind back on track 🙂

Just to clarify what I said above.....I mentioned that there is no such thing as a dumb question on the forums so ask whatever you wish to! I should have phrased that better than I did.....sorry about that...oops!

You mentioned "what do I say when everyone in those spaces says where have you been?"

That is a good question Chris...I had the same question too and it was awkward sometimes. I mentioned that" I was helping out a relative....a friend.....with some personal matters". You dont owe anyone an explanation unless you want to say "I havent been well recently and just taking some time for myself"

When I used to mention 'taking time out for some personal issues'.....people usually stopped asking. Nowadays I just say that I have depression and am having a break

WhiteRose...Mary (above) actually belongs to a church group too Chris!

Any questions are welcome Chris

my kind thoughts

Paul