Are you Agoraphobic? Do you know someone who is?

Yes, my mother suffered from agoraphobia for years when I was growing up. In my late teens I was resentful for never having a mother who took me ot, or drtop me off at the mall "like the other kids" It was not until I learned about the phobia, that she truly had no control over her disease. Thankfully she is ok now. She will not drive far, mostly stays in town. I love her dearly, and now as an adult she is my best friend.

My doctor calls me boarderline agoraphobic. She says that it could turn into full blown agoraphobia at any time. If I am going to be out in public for any length of time, I have to take anti-anxiety medicine. I can't handle being in stores or malls, or anywhere where there are crowds in enclosed places. I seem to do better if it is an outdoor event in a large open place though. I also suffer from bi-polar and PTSD, which does not make the situation any easier to bear. I have been this way for many years prior to my diagnosis, and never knew what was wrong. It was really hard on my kids while they were growing up, because neither of us knew what was happening. My hubby has kind of a hard time with it, but he is very understanding, thank goodness.

Yeah, I agree that is fascinating. Thankfully, I don't have that condition at all and I don't know of anyone that has one either.

I'm better now, but for a few years I dreaded going out. I would force myself to do it, but I'd be anxious, muscles tensed, sweaty. I felt like I couldn't catch my breath. I also hate crowds and confined spaces. But I can't call what I have any kind of 'agoraphobia'; it's more like a mild social anxiety. I really feel for people who are shut-ins because of the sickness.

Sometimes when I am in a large place with a lot of people my heart starts racing and I starting getting very weak. I guess you would call that Agoraphobia. When that happens I try to leave and to eat a candy bar for energy. This does not happen very often (thank God).