agoraphobia or claustraphobia?

[everglades]

i have read info on internet, the two seem to cross over, yet the former seems to be the main dx

i have no dx, however i took a huge step (for me) of telling someone i was agorapobic last week, as i was in a situation where i knew i might have to leave -  --- they were v kind

but
i mentioned it to my cpn and she just said oh it cant be since u can get out of the house ??

i dont have a problem with open spaces, like taking dog out etc, indeed if i am struggling , i need to get to the air and space and outside

??

just asking for some, any, ideas or comments

thank you

[Noisy]

Hi Everglades,
Well done for telling someone. It's especially nice when people are understanding.

It can be tricky to define us with just a simple diagnosis. It seems sometimes that we pick the strongest aspect of our anxiety and then, wham bam, that's what we am! I've met so many people who have more than one type of anxiety and in differing amounts.... everyone's different.

I have had strong agoraphobic symptoms before. I'm hesitant to say that I was agoraphobic because, in my opinion, that was never the main problem. It was just one symptom of the underlying generalised anxiety. If I was going to have a panic attack, I wanted it to be at home and I wanted to be able to get there quickly. That was my 'safety seeking behaviour' and most anxious people seem to do this in some way or other.

Agoraphobia or claustrophobia? Well, if you're anxious anyway, either situation could get in the way of your safety seeking behaviour.

There are varying degrees of agoraphobia and it's entirely possible for an agoraphobic to leave the house. 

I'd be interested to hear other people's opinions too.

[everglades]

ty
hav not heard of safety seeking behaviour, but i know the feeling well
for me, yes getting home is important - if not home, then outside

in the past my main problem was lifts (NOOOOOOOOOOO) - tube - NOOOOOOOOOO and big crowds
but now its train, planes, loos, corridoors, unknown buildings, .............. well i guess u all know this, sorry

but then in august, after a very traumatic ATOS medical (not the medical, but the building) - things got worse
stayed at a friends house and i had to be shown how to get out 3 times, and then couldnt let him lock door with key

since then have even had panic in own house, had to stand on patio!!!!
even getting stuck in solitaire or sudoku can start tipping me over the edge

what the hell is all this?

[storm chaser]

Hi Everglades,

Seems to me that you are totally outraged by these symtoms that come along.  Its true, your own body seems, and I repeat, seems to be working against you.  This in short means that you are a strong and intelligent person but in your mind you have issues with yourself or others that need addressing.  You will not get better until every last drop of bad memories or experiences have been shacken out, or dealt with in another way.  Only you will know when this will come.  Remember you are not against the clock hear, so try and relax and treat it as a new adventure.