Agoraphobia

Hi, My name is asim and I am suffering from anxiety disorder fom the last 10 years. It all started when I was in 9th grade and suddenly have a full blown panic attack. I thought it was just because of weakness or some vitamin deficiency. With the passage of time I started having more panic attacks. I always get panic attacks when I am outside, and whenever it happens I try to rush towards my home. I thought it was the safest place on the earth.

With the passage of time things got worsen, So i was taken to a psychologist and he diagnosed me with agoraphobia. I use the medicine for about a year but there does not seem to be any change in my condition and then I left it. I always have a fear of getting another panic attack, when this fear becomes too worse then i get an attack. This often happens when I go far away from home.

Three years back I got a job in a Software House after completimg my graduation. From that point my life become a little comfortable, I made my self too busy in different activities so that there would be no time to think about that fear and while working outside there is a hope in mind that when I will reach home all anxiety and panic will vanish.  But however my life is still limited and I cannot go far from home nearly 12km.

Now the biggest problem I am facing is that my family is going to shift to another place and we have sold our house, So shifting to a new place is creating a lot of aniety and depression and deralization as well my conscious mind is unable to accept it because going to a different place will cause panic for longer period of time and I am uncertain that what will be my condition there because i think the strategies I used to eliminate fear over this place will not work there. I am also very dependent on my current environment etc.

Does any one suffers with these types of fear, Plese guide me how I can cope with this fear of having panic attacks. Also with the passage of time I have developed phobias for different places, like long straight and wide roads, open land scapes etc.

[MMahon]

You should make an appointmeent with a psychiatrist as soon as you can.  
It sounds like you have anxiety disorder and it can be successfully treated.  The doctor should recommend therapy as well to help you get over the panic you experience when you go outside.  These symptoms are quite common with anxiety disorder.  You do not have to suffer with the symptoms you have and you don't have to have your life restricted by them.
Let us know how you make out.