I have developed a fear of going outside. I need to go out and just thinking about it has me all panicy and in tears. I have not been out side in almost a week. Any ideas on how to over come this?

Realizing that this is a fear, and its not suppose to be this way. To realize that we arnt suppose to be afriad allows the mind to overcome this, i think this would help me.

all I know to tell you is just go


sorry its not my field I wish I could really help




if you come here I'll go with you

Don't think about it!! Open the door and run out of it as fast as you can!!!

It's called Agoraphobia if I spelled that right.
It is a real sickness and can be treated with the proper care.
Don't give up or let it control you hun.

(((whisper)))

I could give ya a push- but I'm not close enough...

Dang girl- you need to get out soon. If you let this set in
too long- you may trap yourself inside. Think about what you will miss in your life- if you stay inside all the time...
This is seriouse and some how you need to deal with it.
I wish I knew what to suggest to help...

ok i think you should get a therapist right away....a therapist that will come to u.....b4 it gets way outta hand b4 u become really afraid...i went threw something like that at 1 point of my life but just wouldnt go out but id go outside....thats serious stuff hun

I've experianced this before & it's a dangerous symptom to allow progresion of. From somebody who's been there, trust me, you need to go out & do something. Remember, it almost killed Ozzy Osbourne;^]

whisper- you need to honestly figure out what it is you're afraid of. Call your bff and tell them about it, then have them come over and force you to go outside. Sit on the steps and talk about it. Then go to the driveway. Then walk to the corner. Your fear is irrational and you can rationalize it all you want to. If you thought this was okay you wouldn't have posted this.

****Most definately go to WebMD and check out Agoraphobia and get some information from clinicians.****

One of the standard treatments for agoraphobia is to have a friend go out with you, for a very brief period, say 5 minutes. Maybe a walk around the block. As you become more acclimated to being outside, you increase the duration; eventually, you'll be able to go out by yourself.

Another good strategy is to recall all the times you went out -- to the store, to a park, to visit friends -- without anything bad happening. If you can get a handle on that midset, it can make it easier to go back out there.

And remember, you always have us to come back to!!!

((((((((((MELISSA))))))))))

i'm afraid of reese's peanut butter cups...................

reese's cups? how come?

take it one step at a time.........or let loose a tiger in your house....that usually does the trick

Have your work call you!

Thank you all for your replies. I know that I need to just do it. But I don't know, it just seems impossible.

And Catch, I have been off for over a week.

Maybe a short trip to the mailbox,you said in the last five days? something triggered it then within that time,or can you just develope it out of nowhere,it is best to go to a therapist,like the others have said,because if you don't understand why this is happening then you need help from someone that does understand why,please get help,would hate anyone to miss out on mother natures offer of outside

Is the thought of going out,do you get to the door and freeze? or is it just the thought? do you get the door open?

(((Whisper))) Maybe try (I know easier said then done) taking small steps one at a time..maybe take a walk around the block?..
then little by little venture out more...
I have been where you are right now...I wouldn't go out for 2 months...ok..with the exception of going to the market, I mean, I needed toilet paper REAL bad, and that was a HUGE ordeal for me to even to that...Anxiety sets in, etc;..what worked for me, I just took one step at a time, went walking around my block, then got in my car (this took a couple of weeks) and ventured out and actually went to a movie...It isn't easy, but once you continue to do these things, it becomes second nature where you don't think about it at all...I shut myself off from EVERYONE back then....but you can overcome this...
My thoughts and prayers are with you and I KNOW you will prevail..

Good point..ok delayed reaction, just read most of the other posts...Someone mentioned about what possibly if anything triggered this?!....
My experience was Guilt...won't go into any details..but I was punishing myself by not going out..cutting people off..
Your a good sweet person..
I wish you the best, cuz you deserve it..

I'd say drink enough to get a nice buzz going and go outside. (not because i think drinking is the answer to everything) sedative hypnotics(klonopin, xanax, etc) are prescribed for anxiety issues, and they are basically jus t pill forms of alcohol.