by Helena Metcalf

Created on: May 04, 2009

Being a supportive friend of one who lives with agoraphobia can be very challenging. Often victims of this cruel fear find themselves without comfort and friends. Thanks to the Internet, posting sights, and on-line chat programs, agoraphobics can communicate with the outside world and meet new people. That's how I met Stacy.

Stacy is a 36 year old single woman struggling every waking minute with agoraphobia, or fear of open spaces to which escape is not easily found within the mind; causing panic. I met Stacy on a posting board on-line for an exercise partner. I came to know after two meetings about agoraphobia, and how it has wrecked her life. As a friend to one who has this, I found myself learning quickly how to adapt and fill the spaces in her life where she needed me the most.

Believe it or not, she is the most positive person I've ever befriended! After four years of being secluded in her home, therapy, drugs such as Prozac and others prescribed and failed; Stacy has an amazing outlook on life and how to get back on track. She told me she has most likely had it all of her life, but recalls the first serious times agoraphobia reared its ugly head. She was attacked at night by four men in the street, and left in a ditch for dead. She is a survivor of opportunity that most of us women only read about on the news. Wouldn't you be afraid to step outside your doors after multiple stabbings and rape? She had a rough childhood as well but like her agoraphobic father, pulling inside and staying in familiar surroundings was her medicine.

Stacy chose to mend her fears naturally, with diet and exercise. She takes me to the grocery store with her each week, and uses gaming like the Wii for exercise. The yoga program from Wii helps with her breathing and centering her energy, and she has lost almost 200 pounds with exercise and diet since the onset of her agoraphobia. She looks fantastic!

Stacy seems very natural and comfortable when we go places. She gets out more and more each time we're together. I forget that she suffers from this illness until her panics begin and usually her tiny car turns on a dime in a U-turn right back home.

If you are the supportive friend, here are some tips to remember and to keep your buddy on track to recovery.

Learn. Learn all you can about the sickness so you are prepared to handle any panic attacks. They are most likely embarrassed to have them happen in front of you, so give them room and privacy the best you can. Stay close. If they need

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