I think I'm agoraphobic...?
Well, for a while now I've self-diagnosed myself as agoraphobic, but I was just wondering if this might be a wrong conclusion or if there is another phobia that describes how I am.
So, in public - or just around people that I do not know - I get very nervous and anxious. I'm not sure if this is because I'm afraid of getting into situations I can't get out of, however I do feel kind of claustrophobic and like I need to get out of wherever I am (even in streets)
What made me doubt myself is the fact that I'm totally fine around people that I know, even if we're not on a good-friend basis. Is this still agoraphobia or have I falsely diagnosed myself?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
go online to research the symptoms. a phobia is an irrational fear. what you are experiencing is what 99% of people experience in crowds. a lack of personal space. i think yo are lonely and looking for recognition. that is different from attention.
Um, I don't think you are agoraphobic. If you read the diagnostic criteria you would find that these people fear going outside as well as social situations. It can get to the point where they stay inside 24/7. They may not even go outside to get the mail. They might rely on home deliveries and have the food or what not left outside for them. Agoraphobia is a LOT more than just not being able to talk to people you don't know. You may have social anxiety. Or generalized anxiety. Don't jump to the conclusion you have. Go talk to someone weho can give you a real diganosis.
You're not agoraphobic. That means you're scared to leave the house. I think you may have social anxiety. A lot of people have that these days. One of my classmates wrote an article in the school newspaper about it and he feels that he's either really chill and good with you or he'll feel awkward and a little nervous to talk to you.
The thing he does is write a bunch of conversation starters on a flashcards and he uses it. I've seen him do it, and if one topic is over, just start another one :)
Try it and see if it works for you :D
tbh it dosnt sound like u are agrophobic, maby anxiaty disorder or social anxiaty/phobia, some of the symptoms u are describing do occur in agrophobia and u dont have to never leave the house to be agrophobic either but it is more extream than u are describing and a big part of agrophobia is panic attacks, its all to do with being scared of social embarresement more than being nervous in social situations and spaces so look into social phobia or anxiaty
also go speak to your doctor as u cant really diagnose yourself if u want a firm diagnosis a phychiatrist will have to do that for u so go see your doctor
good luck x
It sounds like you have falsely diagnosed yourself. You haven't mentioned having panic attacks which is common with agoraphobics.
Being agoraphobic doesn't necessarily mean having a fear of leaving your house, it's more the fear of the fear of having another panic attack and not being able to be in a safe place while having one.
If you are going to try and self diagnosis yourself, I would try www.mayoclinic.com and www.webmd.com and look up anxiety disorders.
Anxiety disorders can be very mild and go all the way to severe.
look up Social Anxiety Disorder & see if that is a better fit
the Psychological name for your disorder is Timid, Synonymously Shy.