THE GRIM REALITY OF AGORAPHOBIA

I have to report to an orientation to keep my food stamp benefits. I got out of it once and can't get out of it this time. I hate that they don't take my condition seriously and won't make accommodations for me. After trying for a MONTH I finally got through to someone on the phone today. They MIGHT be able to help me when I come in, but have no concrete answers. They wouldn't even guess how long this orientation will last. It is so frustrating dealing with the state as it is, but being panicked about sitting in a group makes it worse. It's hard for me to go out, period, even with no group. I can't even go to church because of this, and that's a place I WANT to be in.I have made progress in therapy and doing EMDR. I leave the house a lot more than I did a year ago, but I am still struggling. I haven't seen my best friend in a couple months and had to beg her to take me. I feel so bad for asking though because she has so much on her plate already. Her daughter suffers from anxiety and tried to take her life last month. Instead of being there for her, I feel like I'm adding to her load. Finally saw a psychiatrist after waiting nearly a year. The one medicine he prescribed for as needed is a blood pressure med and makes me feel weird if I take recommended doses. Doesn't ease my anxiety much and the side effects scare me. I haven't taken the other prescription because it is one that says once you start it, you can't abruptly stop. Sounds too much like the antidepressants I've had bad experiences with. And the side effects are scary, one being possible depression! WTF are they doing to people with this stuff? I just want to cry. I don't want to go to this place on Thursday. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is just one of the many stories you can find on the net and on the support groups. They are all hurting in some way or the other. They don't have a voice there is no one out there for them. Not only do they live with the fear of Agoraphobia but also the fear of living from one day to the other. If you're one of these people please try and get legal help. Most of the time they will do it for what they can get out of it in the form of damages. I'm not a lawler but some of the people I have found on the net with this problem have sued and have gotten victory for their problems. I encourage you to read my book and the other things on this blog for help with your agoraphobia.