Enjoy it for me!

David1, I feel sorry for you, but if you try - then everything's going to be okay. I was in a bit similar condition, I was full of fears, even in my own house every door was needed to be shut and so on. I had a fear of crowds, full streets, audiences with almost panic attacks and doctors didn't help me, all they said was that I was a typical teenager, so I had to cope with this by myself. I had to at least try to forget every bad thoughts in my head and think optimistically. If you decide to go to the cinema - try not to think about bad things that could come out. And if it's needed - go to see the film several days after the movie, when some cinemas probably will be half-empty. Also, medication is not always the best choice.

Oh I know that feeling allllllllllll too well. However, I have actually managed to (at least I think I did) get around the planet like that once. It was... Surreal to say the least. I'm still not sure if I was just whacked out from stress and adrenaline, because the things and places I saw were SO vividly real, out of body experience sounds a pretty good description for it. But still pretty disconcerting at the same time. I do kinda like the floating sensation though, it's one thing I try to focus on if/when it happens to make me feel at least somewhat good about what's going on at the time. And if I can focus on that, I start to feel good, which brings me back to the real world quicker. Your sister sounds awesome, she's a good woman trying to get you out for it!

Spartacus. LOL. Indeed. Everything is better in the confort of our homes. I used to go out and watch 2 or 3 movies at saturdays with an ex; get drunk at some bars and stuff like that. Then, all of a sudden, the world seems to be about to go lights-out. I beat my self as to understand what the hell is going on inside the dark corner of my brain... no luck so far [there may be a brain-huger there...], so I took another glimpse at those simple things of life and, shure enough, they do look better and more reasonable. I have to get that "47" Inch LG LCD and a DTS/THX capable Surround system with 13 satellites and 3 12" sub woofers" any time soon. eheh

Otto, thanks friend. I hope we all enjoy it.

allinamberclad: thanks a ziilion times for your kind support. I wiil overcome [almost sounded like Gloria Gaynor] Ruth: nice to meet you. Weel, it seems I've always been agoraphobic since very young. But the S**** only hit the fan at my 20's, about the time I was going to University. God knows how I was able to finish while not attending it properly. Thank you for your kind words and advice. Hope you are better these days. Cypher: Yup, that's exactly the thing that I can't get a grip on. I don't know about you, but my body stops responding. I freeze when it happens. I try to calm and "enjoy "the light-headed moment. The only thing that seems to take me out of that thing is a sudden event that takes my attention out of it. Yes, she is a wounderful person [a bit anti-social but vey good hearted].

Damn that's a tough situation David ... and a very long time to have to deal with it ... I gotta say that some of the advice here seems to make sense, even though I have no idea what Agoraphobia feels like ... Good luck to you ... hope you will overcome it one day ;) ... All the best ...

Gem]n[: thank you kindly friend. Well it seems thare are more people here with this thing. It is hard to explain and understand, but you may ask around what it feels like: the answers will be very similar. kudus. :)

I'll tell you right now, it feels like absolute shit. David, I had to I guess train myself how to get to the stage where I could focus on something enough to let it be my whole focus when it would happen. You may not be able to, but try to make yourself breathe rhythmically, and actually think it through if you still have the ability to think. It's the hyperventilation and sudden adrenaline into a bloodstream that's oxygen deprived that makes us pass out when we get attacks like that. Just try to use your brain to over-ride the instinct, if that makes sense?

with all due respect to the OP, have you tried Paxil? I used to suffer from debilitating anxiety attacks. My physician prescribed Paxil CR and the attacks went away. There is a generic Paxil on the market too. I hope this helps and doesn't offend.

Hay Dave 1,,,, keep up the battle ,,,AND WIN ,,NEVER SAY NEVER .....

Hey David 1, Good luck to you! I hope you overcome this one day in your own way or with a way that one of they many ways that the very kind members of this great site have for you to try. I will not pretend to know what you are going threw but I do wish you the best. At the least, there are members here that can relate, and know what you are going threw. Good luck to you. You know....., after a couple of weeks of being out and at a slow time of the day for the theater, and I don't know if money is an issue (I know it is with me) see if you could rent out a small theater for yourself and sister. I know its probably not realistic but I have always wanted to do something like that. Unless I win the lotto, I don't see it happening. Take care buddy.

I had panic attacks for nearly ten years, saw a 'professional' (i was chain smoking and getting stoned a lot but had given up the weed) and he just said next time i have one, if its feasible) to sprint. His thinking was if i could see that i could run, my heart and organs must be ok, so i wasnt going to suddenly drop dead. Eventually i eould know that deeply, so when there were anxiety triggers, they wouldnt have the fear that lets out the adrenaline. Needless to say i ignored every word of his advice, and suffered on for ten years. Eventually i had put on a pile of weight from sitting in fear and decided i was going to lose it, and start running. I then noticed i was scared while running that i'd drop dead. But it never happened. or i wouldnt be writing this haha. anyway, once i could run a few miles i started to believe that it was all something silly that had somehow got in my head, running got rid of it. *-9 months after the first day i started running i managed to do 26miles. I saw the professional again, and he told me it was principally about adrenaline management. We aren't all meant to be sat indoors, looking at screens all day. we need to exercise. If that has to start indoors, cool. i'd wait for an episode and then USE the adrenaline to do as many push ups as you can, all you'll be left with is some aching muscles for a few days,and a better chest, and a sneaky feeling that you may have nothing wrong with your sanity, you just need to exercise a bit. You'll get there dood.

Cypher: Yes it makes all the sense in the world. I even started Reiki to learn how to calm myself. As to the ability to think... the only thing i can think in those moments is to run and hide, but my legs don't move. Eventually it stops and the body aches are all what is left [and the morbid fear of going through it all again] GreatBoosUp: Hi, friend. Thank you for the reply. No offense at all, i am quite pleased. I don't know if Paxil is being sell in Portugal. At least not to my knowledge, i'm afraid. But I do take other medicines that help with the Panic attacks. Hope you are through those attacks though. They aren't a bit enjoyable. ncc1701: Hay there. I never give up. I'm too happy of a person to surrender, rest assured. ^.^

bigbirdjimmy: Hello friend. I am quite happy with all the kind replys I'm getting. It is a wounderful thing, and most probably not only for me, but to those of this Site who have [or had] the same problem that I do as well as to those invisible readers that may stumble upon this thread. Unfortunatly not only money is an issue, but the theatres are inside shopping malls. :( But I have to say I love your idea of renting a thaeatre for personal use. Hope you have that chance [I know you will]. P.S. - love your avatar. eheh XD Windood: It seems to be a general thing with agoraphobics: we get lazy and rather fat. More so because I was never a sport loving individual. But I have to say you are absolutly right regarding exercising and the hole deal of staying at home. We are indeed complex and strange creatures [the SJs would be proud]. I will take your advice very seriously and get my butt out of the chair and start doing morning runs [or late night runs]. I'm very, very greatful for your kind words and experience exchage. Um grande abraço [a big hug]

David, I wish you the very best and for the future that you will overcome your agoraphobics some day. My brother had panic attacks and claustrophobia, he couldnt take the underground train.. But together with other therapies he now is able to manage his allday work, he only drives by car, no underground.. heads up.

@David1; I just wanted to tell you that and give you a big *hug* because I do know what it's like. I suffered from a Panic disorder for years, still unable to drive because of it, but mostly have overcome the other fears. If you want details or just to talk please feel free to mail me, I am very open about this subject because I suffered so much and want people to know they can overcome it and live a normal life. I won't give you advice on what to do because everyone is different, things that worked for others just made me worse. I just want you to know, it can and will get better. :)

inspiring

I'd start with a late night walk, but with running shoes on, and if you start to feel the anxiety etc, run. Run as fast as you can until you have to stop 9won't take long, was about 150metres for me lol). You'll notice that while your head might still feel unusual, the body isnt reinfocing it with adrenaline, as you just burnt it all off. It also takes days to replace it, and its impossible to have an anxiety attack without adrenaline. Its adrenaline that produces them (once triggered). So if its all burned of through exercise 9running or high intensity weights), you're good to go. anywhere.

I am a "shut-in" only leaving the house once a week (on average)...Wednesdays (weekly therapist visit, but while out I might engage in going to a noisy restaurant or some stores)...and only for a short time. I used to not be this way. Medicines don't help. De-sensitizing therapy doesn't help. The only thing that helps is "super-charged-internal-motivation"....(i.e. A "Quest"). I went out yesterday to the first day of my town's annual two-day festival. I got burnt to a crisp, but I was sooooo "super-charged" that I was able to overcome it and have some fun (eating street food, talking to people, being outgoing), however, my blood-pressure (there were booths to check it), when I first arrived was 229/189 (it later came down). So, David 1, I do feel for you and an agoraphobic, myself, I do understand the pain. If you PM me, I can help you out in regards to seeing the movie.

David 1 and every single person who is posting, Forever War, Cypher, et al, you guys are seriously making me wish I could meet you all in person. I was seriously considering asking anyone who lives in Las Vegas, Nevada, if they wanted to see the movie together as a group, just to trip on who was right (Big Dave) and who was wrong (Spartacus) on certain theories, (( JUST JOKING SPARTACUS!!! )). I would love to see the movie with other Alienphiles, it would probably be like Woodstock for our generation, and I have yet to meet another person in Vegas with my passion for the genre, even though I get em pretty excited about the movie. I empathize with you David 1 and you will be there in the spirit brother. If anyone wants to see the movie in Vegas, feel free to contact me at karstenphd@yahoo.com. If we are not supposed to give out e-mail adresses please edit Cypher. This is a true Brother-Sisterhood, a family.