Panic attacks and aggoraphobia... how to start a fresh?

[DEREKG]

I've been suffering from severe panic attacks and subsequent aggoraphobia and depression for over 2 years now. It's taken all that time to start getting proper help with it. My question is.... I was in in a relationship for most of that time (I'm not now) and I had a wide circle of friends beforehand. Now that I'm beginning (and I really do only mean beginning) to get back to normality, where do I start? Even if I get in touch with old friends, I'm embarrased about how my life's been over the last couple of years and in terms of making new friends, I still struggle (severely) with going out. Anyone else been in this situation?

[BobbyDog]

I can understand how you feel. I have had Social Phobia/Agoraphobia/Panic on and off for 18 years, got one year off for good behaviour!
Email your friends, mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, most people know someone who has suffered. If you have a Facebook account, try adding them as friends. If you only get a couple of replies, its a start.
I can't help with making new friends, this is difficult for me also, I have only lived at my current address for 3 years and the people on my street are not friendly.
What about going out with a family member if you could manage it, as a way of socialising and a safety blanket?