How to help family member who has panic disorder?!
Question:
How to help family member who has panic disorder?
One of my family members has panic disorder with agoraphobia. She's been to therapy and the doctor, but does not want to take pills. She's housebound, and seems to enjoy being domestically helpful and content being at home. She doesn't seem to show much interest in the outside world. But, I do want to see her get better and regain her independence. How do I help get her out of the house and interested in life without forcing her to take pills?
Answers:
You can't make her do anything she's not ready to do or doesn't want to do. You can only control your actions, not hers. If she's content to be a homebody, then why mess with her happiness? She'll have to deal with it sooner or later.
Personally, I just wouldn't go out of my way to help her if she's needing something outside the home but is too fearful to go get it. This will force her to have to do things without the help of others and she won't become co-dependent on you.