Hi everyone

[metalchica 0]

New to the site. Have had PTSD, panic and agoraphobia for over 17 yrs. Leave the house once or twice a year. Was self medicating with beer-wanted to stay off any meds but wasnt working for me. Off the alcohol totally and on clonazepam. Feel good-but tons of work to do to deal with the agoraphobia. Hope I find the help I need here. Thanks for having me.

[Gilly 1086]

I metalchica Welcome to AC. I also suffer from agoraphobia and panic possibly related to PTSD (docs not specific with a firm diagnosis) Good for you for stopping the booze!! Hope we are able to help.

[dynasty 14]

I love the name

[jonathan123 2367]

Hi metalchica. "Tons of work to do"! Not necessarilly. Agoraphobia is a symptom of anxiety and not a disorder in itself. No anxiety no agoraphobia! First of all read all the info on the site about anxiety and especially agoraphobia. There is a mine of info here. Understanding is the key to recovery. To know why you feel as you do is so important. I don't know how your problem affects you as it affects people in so many different ways. Some can go for weeks or months with no problem then suddenly, 'out of the blue', wham, it's back. Like all anxiety fear is at the root. Fear in agoraphobia is caused by anticipation. "Will I wont I be able to cope? How far can I get without collapsing? What will people think of me if I have an attack in a shop or some such place?".  Do you fight your condition or struggle with it?. Do you sit pondering, should I should I not? In the Resourses section of the site look up the info on Dr. Claire Weekes who specialised in agoraphobia. Come back and let us have more info. You are very wise to get off alcohol. It is definately not the answer in fact it can make things a lot worse.   Regards.   Jon.