Hi Everyone

[Rosie40]

Well, I hit the big 40 in the very near future, I had my first panic attack at the age of 8, and it's time to sort myself out. I've lived (if thats what you call it), a very restricted life, and now my daughter is 2 and I don't want to inflict my bizarre lifestyle on her.
I think I've finally identified my phobia as Agoraphobia, my panic attacks manifest themselves in an acute fear that I am going to throw up in public/confined space and cannot easily get out. I've now reached the stage of being unable to visit large supermarkets/shops, can't go upstairs in department stores or large buildings, the cinema, or travel on any public transport, aeroplanes/airports etc. I go into absolute panic at the mere mention of attending large or confined venues. My other half is at the point of exasperation that we don't go out anywhere - anyone else experience this situation or just li'l old me in a big wide (restricted) world

[diane07]

Hi Rosie40

A huge warm welcome to nmp.

You'll get loads of advice and support here and make some lovely friends along the way.

Best wishes

[kirstyleannec]

i can tell you now, that you're not alone at all, I am the same way and I'm only 19,, what have I got to worried about right?? lol
tomorrow is the day when i have to get up early take my tablets get on a bus or two to college and face everyone after having 3 weeks off lol. You can beat it, you have to tell yourself that this is just you, making yourself worse, do you suffer from panic attacks? and have you seen anyone about the agoraphobia? xxxx

[pollyanna]

Hi rosie40


i havent experienced agrophobia like this, but i have many things that i avoid/put off, and have been bothered by anxiety most of my life, to a greater or lesser degree.( mostly greater.lol)
The good thing is you are ready to tackle this, and your daughter and her future have given you the incentive.
You will get lots of support here to help you in your recovery.

Best wishes

P x :hugs:

[Patty]

Hi Rosie, :)

:welcome:to NMP. It's great that you've joined. There is so much information & help here.

Best wishes :flowers:

[PanicOver!!]

Hi

You are definately NOT alone in this big wild world and you will get loads of help and support here as well as make some great friends

[belle]

Hi Rosie and welcome.
I can definitely relate to what you have written. I fear exactly what you do...
I'm sure you'll get lots of support and help here :)

x

[addy2301]

Hi Rosie, as the partner of an agoraphobic, i can understand how your partner feels, but as long as he understands it is not something that can be healed overnight, its a long term problem, but it can get easier, i hope you can manage to beat this phobia, if not for yourself then for your children, if you fancy a chat anytime message myself or my partner, her username on here is laura_3201

[Rosie40]

Thanks to everyone for all the welcomes and replies - it is great to find out there are others experiencing the same. I've had several attempts to try and cure my phobias with various therapies - counselling, hypnotherapy etc but not successful as I didn't really know what they were trying to cure, and to be honest they were all part-time doing it on a private basis thing. It helps having a name to put to my phobia, I think if I can find the right kind of therapist who has experience of this, then it may help better

[eternally optimistic]

Hi Rosie

Welcome and glad you've found NMP.

I'm sure that you wont "inflict" anything onto your daughter.
Children accept you as you are and will always love you.

I go to work and do relatively normal things but anxiety gets the better of me
in the supermarket, cinema etc etc.

For many years, I'd give my husband an excuse why I couldnt go somewhere (usually because I felt unwell, and I did feel unwell because the bloody anxiety had got me soooo low) I didnt realise at the time I was using avoidance techniques!!

You sound in fighting mood, Rosie, and keep that going. It will get you through.

Dont try and put mamoth tasks to achieve in front of you, take it all in good time.

Are you on any meds? It might help.

Good luck and keep up the fight http://thm-a03.yimg.com/image/75bead8f3b134836 (http://uk.wrs.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTf2qT4_FK4jAAVhxNBQx.;_ylu=X3oDMTBpaWhqZmN tBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNzcgR2dGlkAw--/SIG=1gaoml0pa/EXP=1257452819/**http%3A//uk.images.search.yahoo.com/images/view%3Fback=http%253A%252F%252Fuk.images.search.ya hoo.com%252Fsearch%252Fimages%253Fp%253Dboxing%252 Bglove%2526ei%253Dutf-8%2526fr%253Dsfp%26w=500%26h=500%26imgurl=www.spor t-tiedje.com%252Funo%252Fboxhandschuh_fun_detail.jpg %26rurl=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.sport-tiedje.com%252Funo%252Fboxhandschuhfun.htm%26size= 26k%26name=boxhandschuh%2Bfun...%26p=boxing%2Bglov e%26oid=75bead8f3b134836%26fr2=%26no=3%26tt=18684% 26sigr=11j5hvlph%26sigi=11kk4gcki%26sigb=12e1tdn9f )

[Maj]

Hi Rosie,

You are definitely not alone. Have you read any of Dr. Claire Weekes books? She specialises in agoraphobia and if you take her advice and practise and accept you can get through this. It helped my mum and she couldn't have been any worse. Also, I was young at the time and it hasn't left me with any after affects of my childhood, so please don't worry about your daughter.:hugs:
Myra x

[Rosie40]

hi Jay ann

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to do my damndest not to show my fears in front of my daughter, but I would like to do normal things with her when she is old enough like going to cinemas, shopping etc.

I really don't want to resort to medications - I was prescribed anti-depressants 10 years ago when I was having a bit of a difficult time but they knocked me out - I only took them for a couple of weeks but couldn't stand the effects.

I also hold down a really good job, and don't want anything to effect this. So far I've got through by avoiding situations I know I will panic in. I've now reached a stage in my life where I have to face up to my fears and just want my life back.

rosie

[Rom]

Welcome Rosie hope you enjoy the ride :)