Hi redsilk
You did not mention what you are doing for you? Are you on meds? Going to therapy?
I am agrophobic (4 years) so I understand what you are feeling. Working my way back is hard, but it can be done.
This course is basically CBT therapy, you might want to see if you can find a doc who does that too and go see them.
I would also suggets "Hope and Help For Your Nerves" by claire Weekes and her other book (she has several) "Simple Effective Treatment of Agrophobia". I use both plus I have some of her tapes too.
Working on you is the #1 priority. Trying to get your mate to understand is hard, unless someone has had a PA they really cant understand the overwhelming, powerful symptoms and the tricks of the mind.
Journaling has also helped me immensly. Putting thoughts into words on paper helps get them out of your mind and can assist in indentifying triggers. Also you can see how negative your thoughts really are and work on making them more positive.
there is a light at the end of the tunnel, sometimes the walk to reach it is long and difficult.
I am on this course and finding it very helpful. I am only on week one. I suffer from agoraphobia but I did actually get to my doctors appointment yesterday! It was so essential that I went and though I worried about it endlessly and I did get quite anxious, I did it!
My problems are the way I think but I live in a city which I don't know it at all which I find really difficult. I am under pressure to get over this as my partner won't put up with 'my excuses' to not go out. The problem is that I don't get the chance to go out properly until weekends in the car. (I do sometimes manage to get to my local shop during the week, by foot, but only if I do it first thing in morning before my mind has had time to think and I do still find it hard) I find going in the car so hard and because I haven't done it all week (my boyfriend is very busy) I end up feeling very very panicky. I don't know how to overcome this and wonder if anyone has any suggestions. I feel under such pressure at weekends as my partner wants us to go out. I also feel pretty depressed as if life is passing me by and he has a life that I cant join in. I didn't used to be like this; I had my own flat and I wasn't agoraphobic but it crept up on me gradually due to other stressors. I long for the life I used to have, the way I was. I have had anxiety on and off for at least 14 years as I have phobias too.
Also, I am in a position which frightens me in that my partner owns the house and he could throw me out at any time if he isn't happy with me. I love him very much but this makes me feel so insecure.
Sorry the post is so long.
