May 02nd, 2017

Agoraphobia is commonly associated with Avoidant Personality Disorder as well as  Social Anxiety Disorder. Many people assume that if you have one, you have the other. As with many illnesses in this big old world, not all are the same yet many cross each others paths.  I am not a psychologist, but I do know how it feels to have some of these conditions. Today, I will chat a bit about Agoraphobia. 
Agoraphobia basically is having the fear of the dreadful results of a panic attack. Your fear can be so intense that you physically cannot move. You tend to have the fear of not being able to escape such as being in a car in heavy traffic or on train or worse a plane. Bridges are extremely hard for many as well as tunnels. Sitting in a hairdressers chair is a trigger many do not want to deal with especially in a crowded salon. Going out for dinner becomes a horror movie if you suffer from Agoraphobia. The waiting for your dinner and the confinement to the table is difficult. Going to see an actual horror movie is more scarring for an Agoraphobic then Freddy Kruegers slicing grip on ones neck. It is not like being claustrophobic, as even a large room can cause panic if you feel like you can not leave. You also become the brand new owner of sweat glands that you did not know existed before and the rapid beating of your heart is not the song that you want to hear.  Your legs feel like bricks have held them down and now you cannot move, yet every fibre of your being is to run to your safe place. Most people do not want to leave their homes as they feel safest amongst their things. Some can't even leaven their own bedrooms without being assisted. Having a "safe person" is recommended if you are dealing with Agoraphobia as it will give you comfort to know they are near you.  A spouse or other family member are good choices but a great friend is just as supportive.  When you are Agoraphobic you most likely are very anxious most of the time. This type of anxiety arises  just from anticipating what could happen if you were to venture beyond that safe area. Sounds awesome so far but there is more. You may be depressed if you are Agoraphobic as being excluded from the herd will do that to any animal regardless if its by their own choice or circumstance. Having the feeling of no control of your situation will also cause the depression.  Many doctors cannot tell you why you are Agoraphobic but can perhaps determine that if it is heredity or environment. Most likely the combination of both. I know a few who have a parent or sibling with the same condition.  Growing up in an atmosphere that had parents or an older sibling who was a perfectionist and overcritical will see why you are feeling this way. You may have had an upbringing where they were overly anxious and overprotective. Perhaps told you the world is a dangerous dark place, which is really not the feel good fairy tale you need to hear at age six. 
Is there a cure? Well there is treatment. Do we ever really heal from our anxieties and phobias or do we just mask them with other conditions? I would love to hear from anyone who is or has been Agoraphobic. I want to know how you survive day to day life as I know from experience that it is hard. Not I have a cold and have to go to work hard, I mean imagine pushing a fireball with spikes out your door every morning hard. I also don't mean Pitbull fireball fun! 
The great thing about Agoraphobia is that it is not a snob. You can be dirt poor or Rockefeller rich, and it will set up camp in your mind. The crappy part it is not a snob!  First time in my life I wish I got stood up. 

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