Engage the world online despite Agoraphobia?
I just did a helpful blog post for people with agoraphobia. At least I hope it was helpful...
I posted it on my isolation blog (link at my profile if you're curious) and wrote it about getting by when you are living in isolation.
Agoraphobia is a disorder, often a panic disorder, that involves a dread of leaving safe places like your home. It may be aggravated by absence of people one knows and trusts, and by crowds or other stressful circumstances. Some folks with this problem cope by staying at home, and avoid leaving home at all.
There are MANY people with agoraphobia, including several million in North America alone. I'd be willing to bet we have over 10 thousand on WA, and possibly more, as affiliate marketing might be particularly good work for these people. Chances are pretty good that my 500+ followers include a few with this phobia.
If you have experienced this disorder, know someone who has, or have suggestions about it, I would appreciate your thoughts. I've waded into a topic where my personal experience is very limited, so I may need a helping hand, a warning or a gentle slap in the face from a WA friend or two!
Thanks,
Steve
Recent Comments
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Hello Steve!
It's sad to hear that people suffers from this disorder. I read a lot and I am interested in psychology. Through what I have read I understand that there are different causes, like for example imprints from childhood, a traumatic event or a neurological deficit in the brain. By some of the persons it could be because of lacking confident and the longer they isolate themselves, the harder it is to break out of the isolation.
:-) Pernilla
Hi Pernilla,
Yes, if the estimates are accurate, we probably both know people who fight this affliction every day to take care of life and work, but could easily fall into a state of isolation. It is encouraging that we have the power as bloggers to offer a helping hand to others who struggle with such problems.
Because I decided to try, and have gotten feedback from my WA followers, I now have the confidence to do more of this. That is very rewarding for me emotionally, and I'm convinced that it also has potential value for traffic on my site.
Thanks for joining the discussion...
Steve
I'm sure it will be of great value both for your audience and your website traffic.
It's wonderful to have the WA community to ask for advice, tips and hear their opinions and thoughts.
Got to get back to work now!
;-)
It's not just wide open spaces. I live in New York City - and I know several shut-ins. I think it's everywhere and it has a lot to do with personal traumas and a lack of appropriate coping skills. It may also have to do with people who are more introverted. I'm no expert.
To be truthful, if I didn't have to leave my house for my job, I wouldn't. There are many days where I'd rather stay home and write. I hate shopping so I order much of my stuff online already. With all that's going on in the news, you can't blame people for being afraid to go outside.
Wendy
I can relate, Wendy...
I'm not a shop-for-fun type either, and I'm content working and living at home for days at a time. Still, if I have a craving or a project that calls for something a few miles away, I'm off to get it without a second thought.
For me, fear of spaces away from my own home or shop is not much of a factor, and if I don't get out for a few days, cabin fever can nag at me to change the scenery a bit - it isn't a big deal, but there is an urge. Were it otherwise, I'd cook a lot more and eat restaurant food less.
The advice in my post really doesn't presume to understand what fears isolate people in their homes; it just offers ways to live and work from that isolated space. The jury is still out as to how helpful that advice may be - I've only heard from one person who is dealing with agoraphobia, and I've yet to get her review...
Cheers,
Steve
Hi, I suffer from agoraphobia and social phobia. My Mother also suffered from it so there may be a genetic link. I also suffered from a childhood trauma which could also be a link.
I'm going to go read your blog. Thank you for raising this topic and you're right, working from home is ideal for people like me : )
Hi Juliana,
I appreciate your input, and am eager to get your thoughts on the post.
Thanks for networking with me and for visiting my blog...
Steve
Hi Steve, yes I thought your post was excellent! You offer some real help to us 'prisoners' without being patronising or condescending at all which is a common trait in those who say they want to 'help'.
I Also liked that you didn't try to give any kind of medical advice or opinion on such a complex issue.
I have bookmarked your site as you have a lot of other stuff on there that I'd also like to read.
Thanks for raising the subject, a lot of people shy away from mental health issues but you have tackled it beautifully!
Thanks so much Juliana. I'm glad you find the post helpful, and I'm now better equipped to address this issue in future articles. I look forward to interacting with you in the future on my site or yours.
Cheers,
Steve
Thanks Jay,
I'm not sure if some young folks outgrow it, or overcome it before adulthood, but it can be a life long affliction. I'd heard of it, but until I researched it yesterday I had no idea there were tens of millions of adults with this problem in North America.
Not sure, Michael.
But there are evidently a lot of them here. Estimates range from over 2% to well over 5% - a lot of potentially unhappy shut-ins in North America. My guess would be that it is more a consequence of fear-focused news, politics and poor wage trends than open spaces, but I'm no expert.
Whatever the cause, it seems like 7 to 20 million in North America alone could use some help in this area. I suspect this is a market that is very online oriented...
I have experience dealing with many clients with this disorder in my work over the past 30+ years. The disorder can be very debilitating and it is not uncommon to find those who suffer with it a good match for working at home behind their computers. I agree, and this is a market to target in my opinion for helping them find other means to possibly earn an income given they may be "trapped" from doing so outside their home. I will hop over and take a read for sure.
That's what I thought, Cynthia. In fact, while it was not my intention when I started the post, I used my WA affiliate link for the first time in this one, because it seemed like a perfect fit.
Great to hear from someone with actual experience with this, since I have none. I really appreciate your input.
I was mostly thinking about the healthcare aspect, as I've done other posts devoted to it, and it seemed like a good fit there as well, but people need income, agoraphobia or not.
I just left you a comment on the site! Great job! I would like to hang tight with you on this as well as some of your other posts. I believe I might muster some folks who could certainly benefit!
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I did not know that agoraphobia is that common. I suffer from it and have for as long as I can remember. As I am typing this my heart rate is going up.... I am safe at home but to me even having contact with people on line leads to major anxiety and panic attacks.
- HTowsley
I much appreciate you responding. I hope you know that your WA contacts are here to offer support and reassurance in any way we can.
I also was surprised that agoraphobia is so widespread, but it makes sense that we wouldn't know. By its nature, this is a mostly hidden malady.
I hope you will visit my site and that it offers some comfort. While I welcome your comments and feedback, if that is stressful, please make use of whatever you find that helps, in as non-interactive a way as needed to avoid stress. Using this content should not be more challenging than reading a book.
Warm regards,
Steve