Agoraphobia and housebound

[barfer]

This is something I have been interested in discussing on this forum.  I'm just wondering how many of us are agoraphobic and to what extent.  I know that I am and fight it all the time but make sure that I do leave my home most days.   I have a very dear friend who hasn't left her home in almost 7 years.  She has had all kinds of therapy and has tried SSRIs and other meds but is now VERY meds phobic and even with the CBT she finally gave up and just stays home.  I'm wondering if there are others on this forum who are like her or are the majority like me.  I wish there was something I can do to help her but she is just plain scared to leave her house.  She has tried on occasion and has had some success but very minimal and therefore doesn't leave home.  We don't even discuss it that much anymore.  Our discussions are about everything but...  I have to say that she is a perfect example of someone who would benefit from more CBT and medication because she definitely doesn't have any depression, she just has GAD with panic.  I would love to know who on this board has agoraphobia and if they have been housebound or are still housebound and how they are dealing with it.  

[MrGreen]

Over here, In Ireland, when I applied for disability benefit on the grounds of that I was agrophobic, one of the first things I got was a free travel pass. Amused me big time. I hadn't been out in a year or two at this stage. They said, with a letter, that it could be used to travel anywhere in Ireland. Yes.

[lonewolf07]

Yes, it does explain it.  Thank you.

We live in a townhouse and had to wait quite awhile to get it but I could not live in an apartment - I like to be able to out the door and walk on the ground, not an elevator. It took  a letter from my shrink, city councilor and the mayor's office to get this place.

I appreciate you clarifying the confusion about being agoraphobic and claustrophobic at the same time.

PS:  Don't hold it against me that I contacted the mayor's office  = )

wolf

[barfer]

I'm definitely both...claustrophobic and agoraphobic.  I can't stand to be in a closed in space for any length of time.  Example:  I hate elevators and will not get in one if it has more than a couple of people in it.  When we first moved into a condominium after we sold our house, I took the stairs all the time (we only live on the 4th floor and that is one of the many reasons why we only live four floors up).  After a while, with lots of panic attacks, I started using the elevator once in a while, now I never take the stairs.  

I hate it if anyone stands too close to me and my personal space is invaded.  Any area that makes me feel trapped in and I can't get out, makes me feel claustrophobic.  My home, on the other-hand, has an open feeling as soon as you walk into the livingroom.  I feel like I live in a tree-house because I am at that level and I have wall to wall windows.  I overlook a green space with lots of trees even though I live in a big city and I have a very large balcony, so I definitely have a feeling of space and because I'm not too far off the ground and know that I can get out easily if I want, I don't feel any claustrophobia.  I hope that helps to explain how someone can be both claustrophobic and agoraphobic.    

[lonewolf07]

That was a true story.  Sometimes reality is more bizarre than reality.  It was funny though - kind of humanizes agoraphobics.  And yes, laughing at ourselves is good medicine.

The "safe zone" comments were interesting and clarified some questions I had about agoraphobia. I always thought it was the fear of going out and/or leaving the house.

I still can't understand how it's possible to be agoraphobic and claustrophobic at the same time but I've been in the closet so maybe coming out I'll learn a few things.

[barfer]

I knew you'd get the Conrad Black story.  I'm with you on the Paris Hilton thing, that would be a sure-fire way to keep people away from a conference.

As far as the agoraphobic group...I know it shouldn't be a funny story and at-least the guy tried to get people together, but come on...it is a little comical isn't it?  I hope he was able to laugh at himself about it because what would we have without laughter!?

[barfer]

Agoraphobia is not just restricted to those who are housebound but, generally, there are definite boundaries.  It can be as small as a bedroom and as large as a Province/State.  My boundaries are in some ways portable.  I'm ok in a hotel room but it is the going out for dinner part that I have a problem with...room service is the best, even though I'd rather not travel at all.  I guess it does have something to do with having familiar things or people around you.  I can go up to my cottage (although I hate the drive)  and I love it up there because of the solitude (an agoraphobic's dream).  I don't have to associate with anyone if I don't want to and don't have to worry about who's going to drop in.  So, the cottage becomes another "safe zone" even though it is miles away from my primary home.  I go up with my husband and we do whatever we want to do without having to consider anyone but each-other.  For me, I have a few safe zones.