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Healthy Horizons

Laurie Lupold

Facing the Fear

Imagine, if you will a day which begins with shopping at the mall. You stop at several stores and greet many people. From there perhaps you plan a day at the beach swimming and playing volleyball with friends. Finally, you decide on a luscious steak dinner at a local restaurant. The place is popular especially on Friday nights. Sounds like a fun filled day and for the average person it is but for thousands of people it is a nightmare.

These people suffer from panic disorder accompanied with agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is the fear of social situations and strikes such a panic in the individuals who develop it that they begin to avoid any social contact. They hide themselves within their homes, their safety net.

I know, for me, it has had perhaps the worst effect on me of any of my disorders. When placed in a social situation I can develop symptoms of difficulty in breathing, vomiting and diahrrea. Not only do I have the fear of the social situation but now I have the fear of embarassment.

Well there is good news to all those who might suffer from this horrid illness, it is treatable. Medication and training of the patient can get the patient out of the house and back into the limelight. I won't lie to you, the training is difficult and it takes some practice and even so it may not always prove helpful but even if it gets you to where you'd like to be some of the time isn't it worth the effort?

One of the first things I had to learn to do was talk to my body. No, I haven't completely lost my mind that I'm aware of. Talking to your body, convincing it there is nothing to fear and focusing on your breathing can provide you with adequate steps to move you toward the door.

Another source I use is to write about my fear. I sit down and write in detail what I think is the worst possible thing that could happen by reaching my destination. From there a take a look at the alternatives, see if there is anything I can do to prepare myself for this crisis, weigh the logic.

I won't tell you that these simple steps work automatically but each time it does get a little easier. I still carry the fear when I have to go somewhere alone but I am more able to go out with my sister and for me that is a great success. I have, on a few occasions gone out alone and although I was very anxious I made it through just fine. There's a whole world waiting out there for me and one day I will be able to explore it.

'Til next time keep exploring those Healthy Horizons.