Does Anyone Suffer From Agoraphobia?

Just so you know it can also be the fear of being outside, big open areas. However for myself it's the fear of being in crowds. Now that might sound easy enough to avoid, yeah right. The problem comes in that a lot depends on the area you are in. In a 10x10 room 3 people could be a crowd, where as in a store like Wal-Mart 3 is nothing. It can be very difficult to handle. I even have trouble with driving if the roads are too crowded for me. It doesn't help that I also have physical limitations and problems. When I'm in pain it's harder to control the fear and panic that happens. The old saying you can only fight on so many battle fronts is true. I can try handle the pain or the fear but trying to do both at once is almost impossible. For myself I try to go to places at off times. I shop at 24 hour stores and go late at night or early in the morning when ever possible. Thankfully there are more and more of those around. I search for things first on the Internet so I know what stores have them and possibly at what prices so I can get in and out of places quicker. I avoid places like theaters, something I used to love to go to but now I can't unless it's practically empty. I stay home a lot. I might drive someone to an appointment but then I'll stay out in the car. I can't deal with crowded doctor's offices at all. Thankfully my doctor usually will schedule me for right after lunch, so they aren't too busy yet. It helps. Sometimes though I don't have a choice and I can't do things. I end up leaving a store or taking a different road home because I cannot deal with the crowds, I feel like I can't breath. Overall it's a horrible thing to have and I wish there was an easy cure for it but there isn't. I just try to get through each day and do what I can. I take each moment as it comes.

Have you seen the video clip of the "Agoraphobic Claustrophobic" it is SO funny! He runs into his house and screams because he's claustrophobic, and then he runs out of his house, screams, runs back into the house because he's agoraphobic. I'm sure the clip is on YouTube somewhere.

I am also agoraphobic, with anxiety neurosis, and OCD. Most people don't understand, and it is embarrassing. I also only go out when I absolutely have to. I also take care of my elderly mother. If it wasn't for my boyfriend and father, I'm not sure where I would be right now. It's very scary.