#1
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Do I have agoraphobia?
So in the past I've been diagnosed as having a severe anxiety disorder and aspergers syndrome by my old psychiatrist, but never been labeled agoraphobic, I guess it's just another label at the end of the day, however it would be refreshing to know if I have it or not and I don't think my GP can diagnose it.. because a GP can't tell you that you have a sore stomach or sore leg, you tell them, so is it the same if you feel anxious or have agoraphobia?
Anyway I can leave the house, though I have developed a wide range of safety behaviours, I will only leave at certain times or go for a drive in my car. I do all my shopping online including food. Sometimes if I feel really good I could drive to the supermarket at a quiet time and pick up 1 or 2 items and go to the self checkout, I hate the thought of getting further and further away from the entrance in the supermarket. I rarely walk by myself into town and wouldn't be able to manage a trip to a city on my own, but might be able to manage with someone else. I can't work at the moment due to this kind of anxiety I have and currently on a waiting list to see a specialist service in Sheffield that help people with spectrum disorders and anxiety etc. I sometimes go running, though I need to drive to a quiet place at quiet time and do it then. I do spend a lot of time in the house and don't feel a free person, I could never just go to a busy place by myself or even hairdresser/dentist.. not been for years. I could write a lot more, don't want to bore people though. Is what I describe just a severe case of social anxiety, or agoraphobia/partial agoraphobia? |
#2
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Re: Do I have agoraphobia?
Anyone nope?
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#4
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Re: Do I have agoraphobia?
I think alot of people still believe agoraphobia means housebound or a fear of outside places and to be honest so did I until quite recently
I did an online anxiety test which told me I was also suffering from agoraphobia, I was confused so started reading up about it, I found that professionals now believe agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help wouldn't be available if things go wrong which can lead to anxiety, panic attacks, avoidance etc It seems that anxiety and agoraphobia are very similar, commonly come together and the same treatments are used so professionals treat it as anxiety without the word 'agoraphobia' being used I hate writing stuff so hope this made sense and helped a little bit |
#5
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Re: Do I have agoraphobia?
Hi Andrew
It definately sounds like agoraphobia to me !! Like you already know I can leave the house with someone but I won't go out alone so I'm not totallly housebound but that doesn't mean I don't have agoraphobia. The severity differs from person to person just like social anxiety. Like you I have a lot of safety behaviours and spend almost all my time at home where I feel safe. Sometimes I feel it's good to have a label as at least you know why you behave the way you do ( well that's how I feel anyway ) There's a bit of info on this website I recently came across, I hope it might be a little useful for you https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/...ts/agoraphobia Xx |
#6
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Re: Do I have agoraphobia?
I definitely have this I think, I'm basically house bound now and only go out in my car in the evening if it's quiet, I'm currently waiting to see a specialist team close to where I live, I hope they help. I guess all the years of going out and feeling anxious have finally caught up, my body has had enough of stress.
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