GOT TO DO SOMETHING

[aslpassion29 0]

So I'm sixteen years old and this agoraphobia mess is like messed up its so debilitating and I really really frustrated   . Like why can't i be like everyone else and be able to walk into a crowd without thinking twice or freaking out RIDICULOUS!!! AND A NEW THING I CAN'T GO TO CHURCH BECAUSE i'M SO FREAKED OUT AND FRUSTRATED SO SO SAD. I THOUGHT IT WOULDN'T OVERTAKE ME BUT I GUESS I WAS WRONG? stores scare me, auditoriums scare me, any new place scares me. Agoraphobia has taken over my life. 

Don't know what to do.               Anyone?? Help?? 

[Gilly 1085]

Hey als, I have agoraphobia too. I'm improving but it takes time to get better. We need to expose ourselves to tell our minds we have no reason to be scared. But you can't throw yourself head first into doing something that terrifies you. Start very small, a short walk or drive, and do it repeatedly until you are able to do it anxiety free. Then you move up a level. It helps to be something you want to do, so you are motivated.

 

I'm at the end of a course of CBT and my therapist had me doing small tasks at first, then a little more, it is really helpful. And my anxiety is lessening, it was really hard at first but you have to stick with it and once your confidence starts to grow it gets easier.

[aslpassion29 0]

Thanks I guess I never had CBT so I don't really know.

[aslpassion29 0]

CBT seems very affective.

[jonathan123 2363]

Hi als. Oh dear, we do get in a tiz don't we. You can't do what everyone else does because you are sensitised. Your nerves have taken a bashing and will take time to recover.  But time is so difficult, isn't it? At your age not to be able to mix and enjoy is not only debilitating but is also frustrating. What to do? For a start go on to a good book site and look up books by Dr. Claire Weekes.  See write up on the Resourses part of this site. What you have is not ridiculous. It is the outcome of bewilderment and fear.  When you go out you go anticipating the worse and, of course, the worse happens. Because of the FEAR you take with you. FEAR is at the root of your problem as it is with any nervous symptom. You fear something will happen. You will 'freak out' in the supermarket or church. (You won't you just think you will) so you run away from the threatening situation. But why do you not feel like that when in a 'safe' place? There is really no difference in sitting in the middle of the pews than at the end but I bet you sit at the end so you can rush out if "IT" has a go at you. When you feel the dreaded feeling coming STOP! Wait it out. Adrenaline has a limited life for each episode. You have felt the worst so do not allow it to make you rush out. You add SECOND fear to the first fear, the first rush of adrenaline. "Get me out of here, oh my goodness, what if etc, etc". Adrenaline always dies down but you don't give it the chance to. This is not easy als, but it can be done and at your age, as said before, you CAN and WILL win if you stop fighting "IT". Fighting and running away gives "IT" energy and perpetuates the problem. Can you have a word with your vicar or pastor? They often understand. "IT" hasn't overtaken you you have allowed "IT" to dictate to you what you should do. Tell "IT" to GO, als. It is not you. You are not "IT".    Good luck.    J.