Advice needed please

Mercedes55

I can't believe how rude and insensitive so many of your replies have been on here.

As a fellow agoraphobic I fully understand how hard it is to get out and about without a car.

Agoraphobia does not mean someone cannot go out at all, it just basically translates to a fear of being away from a 'safe zone', and a safe zone can be your house, your car, even someone else's house.

I also cannot go out alone and need to have my husband with me. We have a car and I don't claim any benefits, but I would be totally lost without a car as the majority of agoraphobics cannot handle public transport as it equates to feeling trapped and would most likely cause a panic attack.

I have read a few posts on here referring to CBT. For anyone who has CBT on the NHS and wants to be able to go any distance they need to have their own transport as the NHS therapists are not insured to take clients in their own cars.

Mercedes

dansylvester

Some of the posters in this thread have made me really angry. I too have agoraphobia and social phobia, and the lack of understanding and respect for the origional poster (young woman) is discusting.
You should gain some knowledge of agoraphobia before you start judging and making nasty coments.
Agoraphobia is not just a "fear of open spaces", it has varying degree of levels, it's not consistant, and has alot of different meanings.
I myself would be much more comfortable stood in a field with no one else around (except my fiance), than i would indoors with any amount of people, or in a building that wasn't my own home.

YoungWomans need for a car is an essential part of her recovery and a way to get out of the house while still having a Comforting safe place, whereas being on a bus, with people, not being able to escape to a safe haven, yes you can get off the bus, then be left on a street away from home, it's terrifying.
Who ever said about her "being paid to drive around in circles", what a riduculous thing to say.
Do you know how it feels to be cut off from family and friends, to be alone all day every day for years just stuck in your home with no company, nothing to do? Cos i'll etll you, it's the most horrendous lonliest feeling in the world.

This woman is just wanting to have just a taste of the freedom that everyone else has, and if going out in a car is the only way for her to get some kind of normality and a have a change of scenery for an hour or 2 then it's a fantastic well worth cause!

skibadee

I too can sympathsise with the OP I suffer from Anxiety and Panic Attacks, my medication enables me to pursue a fairly normalish life....I manage to work etc., but I completely freak out regarding entering into unknown situations.....social anxiety.
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 6 years ago which has made my mental condition much worse...I am not entitled to any benefits.
I would suggest OP that you contact CAB for advice.
I fear though that you may have to take out a loan [ not sure how ] or try to save for a cheap run-a-round.

Oldernotwiser

dansylvester wrote: »

Some of the posters in this thread have made me really angry. I too have agoraphobia and social phobia, and the lack of understanding and respect for the origional poster (young woman) is discusting.
.
I myself would be much more comfortable stood in a field with no one else around (except my fiance), than i would indoors with any amount of people, or in a building that wasn't my own home.

And yet you manage to work in a busy office,

" I currently work full time earning circa 22k pa, and my partner doesnt work due to disabilities".

goodenough4me

I'm not going to go into the argument of whether or not you are entitled to a car. That is not up for me to decide.

Unfortunately, I also do not know of any financial help you could get to buy a car.

However my advice for you would be to wait awhile before buying one. I understand what you are going through. I too had a problem where I could only be with my 'safe' people or in my 'safe' places.

I am also currently attending CBT. In my experience of CBT they will encourage you to move away from the types of habits and safe behaviours you have relied on before. Getting a car to break the monotony of your days is a good idea but if it is not actually going to encourage you to face the things you find so hard then it may actually be like taking a few steps back in your recovery.

Maybe you could take a few small steps first, like getting your friend to come to your house, then you both walk to the end of the garden together and back again, or to the end of your road.

dansylvester

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

And yet you manage to work in a busy office,

" I currently work full time earning circa 22k pa, and my partner doesnt work due to disabilities".

No, i'm on my fiances account. I replied, not knowing he was signed in.
He works in a busy office, i don't work due to my agoraphobia and social phobia.