Agoraphobic Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 If you had a friend that had a crippling phobia and they finally learned to "live" with the phobia, even if its not realing "living" in other peoples eyes, what would you do?The person avoided all contact with said objects that cause the phobia, even going to extreme lengths to avoid it. Would you encourage the person to try to get better or just accept it as they have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsh Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 whats the phobia?Agoraphobia? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agoraphobic Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 In this case lets say Agoraphobia and Socialphobia.(not to be confused with social anxiety) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azkanan Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Both.Support them with their problem, and try to push them a little in a controlled environment. Maybe invite a calm, quiet, shy friend over to meet them?Reminds me of a story… "The Stone and the Flute". In the story, a boy gets turned into a half-faun, half-human (Somehow, i'v forgotten what theyre called >_< ). He has a terrible fear of open-skies, so he stays in the forests. He loses something in the process, and it's in a village on the other side of the open-skied meadow... but the fear is too great, so he loses the lost object that meant so much to him, forever.He turns back, and lives as a half-faun in the forest, able to speak to animals and such.Sounds like a metaphor to me. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsh Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I think you should do everything you can to change the problem, try just doing small trips outside. Just walk around the block then go back in. Tiny steps. I would go find a specialist to help with the problem. You can beat it and overcome it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agoraphobic Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 Satyrs I do believe is what they are called azkanan, very interesting story indeed.Marsh has some very good insight indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kender the great Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Honestly, if it isn't that bad, then accept it. Don't disregard anyone for a phobia or disorder, its not your job to judge. Help guide them in a direction if the problem starts to worsen, but if anything just let it slide. =] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agoraphobic Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 What if its to the point where they haven't left the house or had human contact in over a 14 months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keebler Elf Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 First you bring the out side to them.Then you try and get them to go to the outside.Make them feel like the outside has something to offer them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Comnena Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Take your friend to a mall or something, find a plaza with benches, and just sit there watching people. Most of the time people are too busy to care or want to deal with anyone they don't have to. Don't shop, don't deal with employees, just relax and watch people.Add: I got over my arachnophobia by watching spiders. I'll still jump if they surprise attack me but I don't collapse into a useless heap at the sight of one anymore!;) :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rithy58 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I would accept it and while doing that, I'll try and help them little by little.When they know I'm trying to accept their condition, they would trust me.So while I have their trust, I would try and help them.But this can sometime lead to a very bad point.They would hate you and never trust you again if they don't get better.Sincerely,Rithy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agoraphobic Posted February 10, 2009 Author Share Posted February 10, 2009 I'm glad you got over your arachnophobia A nna. The watching people is a good suggestion.Rithy I would say your safe in the assumption it would be possible to lose that person trust if everything went ill, but it's a good plan.Keebler how do you suggest bringing the outside to them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheatking Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 @Agoraphobic:> Keebler how do you suggest bringing the outside to them?Plotted plants, ant farms etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kender the great Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 @Agoraphobic:> What if its to the point where they haven't left the house or had human contact in over a 14 months?Seeing as you didn't state that before hand. That would have been helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azkanan Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I was actually well on my way to becoming like this, stuck in my house with no human contact; self-inflicted to be sure, but still. It's not nice after a while.I recently went to London to do work with my uncle? It was amazing. The buildings are huge, there was Tower bridge and everything - i'v changed so much, so much self-confidence and everything, that i'v started planning to do an internet café… Getting out is worth more than it sounds like. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keebler Elf Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 In reference on how to bring the outside to them.Maby start with tryign to brign them something they used to like and enjoy but you cant get at home. Such as a friend they never see or if they like animals maby get them a dog or a cat (if thats to much even a fish). Make them realize that theres things out there they might miss. But dont make it to easy. Say they like baseball. Try and get them to go to a game with you. Make it worth while to go out.(if all else fails then you have to just be a a** hole and force them to go outside. They may hate you but atleast in the long run they will get some human interaction) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sylexus44 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 If I was the agoraphobic, I would make a really meaningful goal (that i'd die if I didnt complete it) that involves going outside. Then I'd go outside and do it. I'd come back inside and think over what I just did. Usually logical reasoning over comes fears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TT Snim Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 I had agoraphobia for a long time. Changed when I got a job and was literally forced to get there on my own. Now I like walking alone. Mostly with out the rush to get to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khachaturian Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 LIke its already been said, take small steps first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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