I have had agoraphobia for more than 10 years...so a long time.
At first I was housebound but I overcame this by basically getting out there and flooding myself, not always recommended, of course, but my boyfriend at the time threatened to leave me if I didn't tackle my fears (we didn't last, luckily!).
Now I can get out and about, on my own, with my other half but there are limits. I couldn't walk down to the shop alone, I couldn't drive on the motorway alone but I can do the most amazing things like go to a live gig, go to the cinema, take the dog for a walk in the park on my own. I consider myself partially agoraphobic but obviously still have it.
And I know why...I find it is all very well having an exposure plan, when life throws you a curve ball! I mean, let's say you are agoraphobic and you've just managed to get to the corner shop, then an appointment comes up which takes you further away. So you have leapt onto a higher stage on your hierarchy. You can't avoid it, you have to go and your anxiety is immense. Hence fluctuating agoraphobia, if that makes sense. Life surely doesn't allow you an exposure plan??? I can see it working on some fears but not all. What about emetophobia? It's not going to work on that...the only way to conquer that fear is to actually vomit (you can look at pictures, movies, even have a bucket of sick next to you but the only true way to overcome is to confront) and you can't gradually expose yourself to vomiting!
And the dentist too...certainly some dentists will allow you to gradually face your fear but if you have roaring toothache, in the chair you go...and flooding takes place! Making the fear all the worse because you haven't had the time to gradually build up to it and realise there is nothing to be afraid of (which is what this programme is all about).
I think CBT has great limitations...in that it doesn't allow for the interference of normal life.
I more so control my anxiety symptoms and thoughts, I haven't done an exposure plan and I haven't had a panic attack now for over a year.
Be interested to see what anyone thinks of this
