........All Phobias Including Agraphobia...........

I have phobias about being around too many people because of a hard to fix thing about embarrasement. I get overload with the stimulation/vibes off of everybody around me, and it really freaks me out a times. I've learned to deal with it, but the sensations are very unpleasant when they come around :)

I hesitate saying I have a phobia. In fact I tell myself I don't have a phobia. But driving is my biggest trigger of anxiety. All of my panic attacks have ocurred while driving. I get fearfull when I know I am in the rural roads and a hospital is not close. I have not stopped my driving, I face it even though it is extremely difficult and exhausting. Once I reach my destination all of the anxiety, closed tight chest, sweating fearfull thoughts leave.

I know it is just anxiety, but hey driving is what triggers my body the most.

CC

Pennylane,

I think that is pretty borerline phobia and I would bet if they had an elevator you would use it. Breaking out into a sweat is definitely a sign you phobia is causing you anxiety.

Thanks for joining this thread.

Kitt

Pennylane wrote:  I don't think this is considered a phobia, but I am scared of going down stairs.

I had just been thinking about posting my one phobia - down escalators - when I saw the above post.   If I am tired or anxious and/or laden down with packages, I can't get on a down escalator.  Sometimes even if none of these conditions exist, I can't get on.  Sometimes I'm standing right there and have to turn around and get away from it.  This is interesting when people are waiting behind you to get on.   And when I do manage to get on, I always mess up somehow in stepping on or stepping off, which reinforces my feelings that I should not get on a down escalator. 

I have a phobia of the dentist. I had a terrible experience about 20 years ago. Probably longer. I seldom go and when I do I'm a basket case. I've even cried like a baby. It's embarrassing and I hate it! I need to go to the dentist since I haven't been in six years but the thought of it terrifies me. I know my heart will "skip" beats and then it won't stop.....AAAHHHHH! I can't think about it.

Agoraphobia, the Facts Agoraphobia is an anxiety state which affects a significant proportion of the population. One person in fifty will suffer from this disorder in their lifetime and sufferers are twice as likely to be female with the problem frequently developing in their early twenties onwards.  There is a common belief that agoraphobia is a fear of ' open places',  however, this distressing condition encompasses all kinds of other places and situations from public places such as shops and theatres to private dwellings  and confined areas such as lifts where the sufferer feels vulnerable and separated from their own 'comfort zone'. This is one of my problems when I am having a hard time is to leave my comfort zone, my house.  Very often agoraphobia begins with an isolated panic when you  may suffer sudden and intense panic and some or all of the following symptoms:  trembling limbs, dizziness, nausea and hyperventilation. Sometimes it can develop as a result of a traumatic event which  leads to an overwhelming dread of repeating the same experience. This results in the sufferer going to any lengths to avoid that place or situation in case the same incident happens again. Now lets hear from all the people suffering from agrophobia and how are you doing? Remember we are here to support you and help you with ideas on how to get past the agrophobia and back out doing what you love to do. We are all in the same boat and we all  our life guards  Gentle Hugs Kitt  

I am agoraphobic also Kitt :)

My comfort zone is also my home, and like I was writing to Maz earlier (our other lovely agoraphobic:) I have to force myself into situations. Since I've worked through the Panic Away program, I seem to be doing better, because I'm not frightened or fighting my anxiety like before. I just say "hang it all" and who cares what happens. I guess I'm learning to just not care, which is really strange and weird for a person like me, but whatever works :)

I wish everyong the best with this darn disorder. . . Many prayers for all :)

I am your classic, class A type Agoraphobic, almost textbook. My agoraphobia came on as a direct result of the severity of my panic as a child. i became extremely avoidant of public situations, had a nervous breakdown at 15 and didnt leave the house for 3months straight, other than to see my P-doc. i did my school work at home so i wouldnt get behind.

i still have a comfort zone that i dont like to breach, and certain environments trigger me- i love going to rock concerts, but they are always in the city, with 30,000 other people and i end up practising my breathing all through U2 or Pearl Jam cos I keep focusing on how far away i am from home, and what if i have a panic attack? you always fear the worst. i left home at 18 and moved 3 hours away- with medication my life with agoraphobia is more bearable but i cant say it has fixed it... it still holds me back from activities i know i would, should and COULD enjoy if i wasnt agoraphobic..

im going into the city tomorrow night- im looking forward to seeing my friends, but im dreading the crowds, the packed restaurant etc, i always fear i will wreck things for my friends. i was always the popular, extroverted life of the party, and that part of me has taken a huge blow as i tend to withdraw as a coping mechanism and avoid going out, therefore, seeing my friends less than i should. i work full time which is no easy feat, but my school is 10mins from home.

A part of me has a desire to travel- but i cant. i only go to NZ and back. i will never see the rest of the world IMHO it just wont happen. if going 1 hr into the city is an issue then overseas will be a major hurdle. i anticipate the worst all the time. i avoid public transport and feel more in control if i am driving, or if a close friend/family is behind the wheel.

I force myself to go out and try and face my fears head on, baby steps.

Agoraphobia is a prison of your soul. That is the best way i can describe it- it can rob you of any joy you may have once felt. but i fight it back because i dont want to feel caged forever.

Maz XX

p.s i have genuine arachnophobia- i can go into a cold faint with spiders, literally. i ALSO have the fear of falling that others have mentioned, and until now, thought i must be super weird- i see myself in my head, falling over, slipping, tumbling etc- im glad im not alone with that one!

Morning Maz, Sam and all, There are varying degrees Agoraphobia. The build-up of more stress - literally 'fearing fear' itself often causes more attacks in more places and situations and therefore the problem begins to escalate. The severity of this problem varies with each agoraphobic. Some lead relatively normal lifestyles, work, have a social life because they are able to avoid the stressful places or situations which bring on their symptoms. For many though, the situation becomes so serious that they feel unable to leave their homes, a particular room or even their bed. Some also become reclusive. It can take years to treat some sufferers because their problem has become so entrenched. Those suffering with agoraphobia will characteristically feel ashamed and demoralised by this feeling of being out of control - or rather the fear of losing control and they believe that they must be 'going out of their mind'.   You are not going out of your mind, you are a patient with anxiety and you have agoraphobia.   There is help and I will post some ways to deal with this phobia shortly.   Just know you are here with other members that know where your coming from and what your going through.   You are cared for and support by all the members of Healing.   Maz, enjoy your night out and kick the anxiety to the curb, let someone else have it.   Peace begins with a smile, Kitt

Nikki
Just a thought but do you think you may be
sabbotagging your mind into the stinking thinking
about
'Taking meds

specially after the claritin thing

I have phobias such as throwing up and fainting... My two phobias

Nikki, I feel the same way about medications, before I had anxiety I was not afraid of taking meds, after I got anxiety I was afraid and would get random reactions to meds I took before I had anxiety and back than I was fine being on meds. Again it's our minds most times. Sometimes you might actually have a real reaction but there are times where it's in our minds. Especially for high blood pressure. I take an Advil and I get high blood pressure cause of the fear :(

Sam, fainting is a fear for me because my sister fainted one from low blood pressure and I fainted ones from hitting my head really hard. But I'm not sure if this is the real reason why I'm afraid of it. I am afraid of things that are out of my control. Earthquakes, attacks, throwing up, fainting, dying etc...
Do you feel the same way? Phobias of things that are out of your control?

-Shia