Mental Health Humor : Ask Dr. Bob, Bob - How do I leave my house?

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Jul 14 2008

Mental Health Humor : Ask Dr. Bob, Bob - How do I leave my house?

Published by chatobstewart at 7:15 pm under Ask Dr. Bob Bob, NEW CARTOON Edit This

Mental Health Humor : Ask Dr. Bob, Bob - How do I leave my house?

O.K. so it is NOT called “Stay-Put-Phobia”! But should be, because I have no motivation to face life outside these four walls. Well, the four walls of my back room home office….my comfort zone. I just want to stay put! Actually, the idea of leaving makes me anxious. Have you felt that way? Do you know someone who has? I know TG commented about this last night on my Mid-Night Insanity post …

Now only a doctor can diagnose this but what are some signs of it? Say a family member that will find any and all excuses to avoid leaving home! I just have too much work to finish here to think about going outside or over there! Well, that’s my excuse. May be it’s the fear of the unknown or uncertain or anxiety about what awaits me “out” there. Maybe it’s Agoraphobia? Do I have yet another phobia? What is Agoraphobia? Everyone’s heard of it, right? Notice how Wikipedia defines and describes it:

Agoraphobia “is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this “safe place. The word “agoraphobia” is an English adaptation of the Greek words agora (αγορά) and phobos (φόβος), and literally translates to “a fear of the marketplace.”

“Agoraphobia is a condition where the sufferer becomes anxious in environments that are unfamiliar or where he or she perceives that they have little control. Triggers for this anxiety may include crowds, wide open spaces or traveling, even short distances. This anxiety is often compounded by a fear of social embarrassment, as the agoraphobic fears the onset of a panic attack and appearing distraught in public.”

What are some specific strategies to combat and deal with this? Have you dealt with these feelings of anxiety? That’s a topic for another blog. First, it’s important to identify the symptoms. What do you think? I know I find it awfully hard to leave my “zone” - my office of comfort. Why should I leave? My wife says sometimes I only come out when I absolutely have to…like when I’m hungry - to eat or use the bathroom. Hey, we all need a comfort, secure place, a zone but too much isolation is not healthy! It’s important to get out and get some good association, upbuilding association and support from family and friends! So, I’m going to try to venture out to work or take the kids to the park! I have to get out my door. Where are you headed today? Have a nice trip! Stay safe but leave your house!