Hello, just joined today and thought I should introduce myself. For the past several years I've suffered from a strange "phobia" - I can't cross the road. Things have improved in some ways as, until about 12 months ago, I couldn't walk across any open space unaccompanied. However, if I try to cross all but the narrowest of roads, I am overcome with a feeling of faintness about halfway there. All the typical panic symptoms rush in and I all but pass out, then am left weak and shaking uncontrollably for the next half hour.
I can't take my son to school by myself, which makes me reliant on others (very distressing and very annoying). I can't do anything that involves leaving the house by myself, unless I go by taxi. So, although I can travel hundreds of miles via taxi/train, I am unable to go to my local newsagent, which is a 2-minute walk away[Sigh...]
I used to work in central London and never thought twice about crossing any kind of road. Now I am all but housebound with very little independence. If people phone and I'm not at home, they think I must have fallen downstairs or something I'm 38 but feel 98 (though most 98-year-olds could probably get from one side of the road to the other without fainting).
Hoping to find some inspiration via this site, preferably not involving medication (doesn't work). Nobody close to me understands this at all. They are very frustrated by it and often quite cruel.