Re: Anyone struggle with agoraphobia?

[Guest guest]

I also struggle with agoraphobia. Going to parties, any time I need to go

someplace new is fearful, almost crippling event for me (even funerals, lunches

with coworkers). It is getting worse as I am aging. The coping skills I used as

a young adult don't fly anymore.

Additionally, any occasion where I feel compelled to invite people over is

horribly stressful: I am so afraid of being judged and found inferior.

And yes,I learned this at nada's knee: my nada was in waif mode most of my early

life. She couldn't eat out (people would see her!), never voluntarily went to a

social function and would freak, yell and mutter for hours getting ready for the

social functions she HAD to attend (even church and doctor appts). It was awful!

>

> I'm finally realizing that I am agoraphobic. I think I suspected it for a

while but didn't want to admit it or face it.

>

> * I'm afraid to drive to places I'm not familiar with

> * I'm terrified of the highways/freeways/bridges

> * I'm afraid of going out with people I don't know that well to places I don't

know my way back from

> * I don't like going out after it's dark

> * If I am forced to do any of these things, my body responds like it's under a

great stress: heart racing, sweating...I put on the act that everything's ok,

but I don't enjoy the experience and become all business, just frantic and eager

to go home

>

> And on and on. I hate to blame everything down to the corns on my toes on my

mother but...it's her fault. Seriously, I was not allowed to go out for

anything that I might have enjoyed. I couldn't go to my prom because something

bad might happen. I couldn't go to sleepovers because I'd turn into a lesbian

(please don't be offended anyone; truly, that was her reasoning). I grew up in

a major city and am terrified of trying to find my way around it.

>

> Sigh. I hate depending on my husband and other people to cart me around.

>

> I'd appreciate any insight from others who've been/are going through this.

It's affecting my social life and life in general.

>

> Fiona

>