It is very hard to explain agoraphobia or any kind of phobia to someone doesn't have it but I will do my best. Many people are different so you'll get different answers. Agoraphobia can be caused by numerous reasons.
I'm a 23 year old female who slowly started to get this phobia about 2 years ago. When I go out in town, about 20 minutes from my house, I start to get panic attacks. I don't fear that people look at me weird, but for me, its health reasons. I had stomach problems for years and I would get sick in town so that gave me the phobia. Getting sick anywhere is so embarrassing. Now, I stay home unless I have to go out. The weird thing is, when I go out more than 2 hours away, I'm fine. I feel so relaxed. So I pretty much fear getting sick in public.
I can't go to restaurants at all. That makes me so much worse. I haven't been out to eat in about 5 months. I always get sick after I eat when I'm out of my house. I don't know why but I tense up. I don't mind not eating out but when I hang out with friends, it's tough to try to explain to them why I won't eat. But it's rare that I hang out with anyone.
Also, winter time is always the worse for me. I never do anything in the winter. I still can't figure out why it's winter because I love snow. But soon as winter comes, I feel horrible.
When I get panic attacks (like all panic attacks) it feels like your going to die. Your heart beats so fast, my legs and arms become numb, and I have to sit. No one wants to feel that way in public.
Agoraphobia is hard on everyone that has it. You just want to feel "normal" and just go out and have fun without worrying about anything. But your mind just doesn't shut off and you see everything negative and you think people are looking at you or something like that. It's definitely mental but sometimes its harder for people to get rid of something that's mental then physical. I shattered my leg in 2005 and I would rather have that pain back then to have this.
You just feel so lonely. Friends stop calling to hang out and all you have is the internet, TV, newspaper, etc to know what is going on outside of your house. Some friends think you don't want to hang out with them and you're always make excuses. We do want to go out but we just can't. Some family don't understand and they don't see how you could have something like this. My dad and brother understand but I have family that just says I'm lying.
I'm not sure what else to say. I hope this somewhat helps you, Andy.
