15 year old agoraphobic?!
Question: 15 year old agoraphobic!?
Hiya because i don't go out and never see or talk to my friends apart from occasionally online i feel extremely lonely!.
My agoraphobia started when i was 11 because i was forced every day into school and i had a major fear of being locked in there, that happened for about a year!. I've been on and off ok since then but i always had a friend who was just like me (we went to a school phobic learning centre) to help me but when she got fully better she left me and so have the rest of my friends because i started to not go out again (in about april this year)!.
I've been seeing a therapist since i was 11 but never got anywhere (i've started with a new one and going a lot better)!.
But anyway i feel so lonely all the time and really depressed because i no all my old mates are out having fun and i cant!.
What do you suggest i can do just to basically feel happier!.
thanks x
no nasty comments please x
sorry this is long question xWww@Answer-Health@Com
My agoraphobia started when i was 11 because i was forced every day into school and i had a major fear of being locked in there, that happened for about a year!. I've been on and off ok since then but i always had a friend who was just like me (we went to a school phobic learning centre) to help me but when she got fully better she left me and so have the rest of my friends because i started to not go out again (in about april this year)!.
I've been seeing a therapist since i was 11 but never got anywhere (i've started with a new one and going a lot better)!.
But anyway i feel so lonely all the time and really depressed because i no all my old mates are out having fun and i cant!.
What do you suggest i can do just to basically feel happier!.
thanks x
no nasty comments please x
sorry this is long question xWww@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
First, you are not crazy!. The world is a big hairy-scary frightening place!. I'm so sorry you have this terrifying fear!. Other people have it, too!. Some deal with it, some fake it, some just hide!. What's happened to you is that your poor overworked brain is stuck permanently in "fright/flight/freeze" mode from some sad or traumatic thing you have experienced!. You are constantly prepared for another terrible thing to come, and so you can't feel any joy at all!.
I suggest you do little LITTLE things one at a time!. If your best friend who had been in a car crash said to you, help me just to walk ten steps outside today, you'd help, right!? Because I'll bet anything you're a very kind person who is also very afraid of the world, you'd be right there, holding her hand, counting to ten and patiently waiting even if it took a long time for her to do it!. Give yourself the same attention and patience!. Just go ten steps!. If it gets scary, you are close enough to run back!. Next day, try again!. I know you can do this, and I'm guessing you believe you can too, because you've seen improvement in the past!. After you can go a few steps outside, choose a good safe place to go for a next challenge!. A car ride, a bus to the library, etc!., your choice!. Something very small!. Take along something that reminds you of your favorite snuggly thing in your room - more than one adult out there has got a teddy bear in their briefcase, I absolutely promise you! Any time you feel anxious, reach in and touch the snuggly bear or blanket or whatever!. Maybe you even have to buy yourself a new thing for comfort - that could be your first trip out!. Carry the comfort with you, put it by you in the car, whatever you have to do!. You may find you don't ever reach in to touch it, but now and then just looking and seeing that it's there is good!. You may not need it all the time but if you do, so what!? People have carried rabbits' feet and talismans since time began!. You can carry what you need, just remember that there is no power in the thing itself - it is to remind you of your safe place and bring your racing heart back to calming shores!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I suggest you do little LITTLE things one at a time!. If your best friend who had been in a car crash said to you, help me just to walk ten steps outside today, you'd help, right!? Because I'll bet anything you're a very kind person who is also very afraid of the world, you'd be right there, holding her hand, counting to ten and patiently waiting even if it took a long time for her to do it!. Give yourself the same attention and patience!. Just go ten steps!. If it gets scary, you are close enough to run back!. Next day, try again!. I know you can do this, and I'm guessing you believe you can too, because you've seen improvement in the past!. After you can go a few steps outside, choose a good safe place to go for a next challenge!. A car ride, a bus to the library, etc!., your choice!. Something very small!. Take along something that reminds you of your favorite snuggly thing in your room - more than one adult out there has got a teddy bear in their briefcase, I absolutely promise you! Any time you feel anxious, reach in and touch the snuggly bear or blanket or whatever!. Maybe you even have to buy yourself a new thing for comfort - that could be your first trip out!. Carry the comfort with you, put it by you in the car, whatever you have to do!. You may find you don't ever reach in to touch it, but now and then just looking and seeing that it's there is good!. You may not need it all the time but if you do, so what!? People have carried rabbits' feet and talismans since time began!. You can carry what you need, just remember that there is no power in the thing itself - it is to remind you of your safe place and bring your racing heart back to calming shores!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
The only way to get over phobias is to face them or you could invite your friends into your house!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
face your fears!. scare yourself everyday!.!.!.until you get over it!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this, I have suffered from agoraphobia since I was 14, I am now in my early 20's!. The best thing I can suggest is to continue with your therapist, don't worry about how long it is taking, the main thing is that things are getting better!. Ring your friends, see if they will come over to your house so you can have fun!.
I also suggest looking up phobia chat rooms where you can talk to others who also suffer agoraphobia and other phobias, they are good chat sites to go on and make friends and get help and support!.
I wish you luck and I hope that things really do improve for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I also suggest looking up phobia chat rooms where you can talk to others who also suffer agoraphobia and other phobias, they are good chat sites to go on and make friends and get help and support!.
I wish you luck and I hope that things really do improve for you!.Www@Answer-Health@Com