Hello all.

[catwixen]

Hi there. I am a 41 yr old Aussie woman. I have suffered from Agoraphobia my entire adult life and of course loneliness becomes an issue sometimes. I am used to being alone....but do not always like it.
I assume others here might be Agoraphobia sufferers? I have not checked the forum through extensively yet.
I hope to find some friends here. I only discovered the whole wonderful world of "net" friendship 2 yrs ago...yes late bloomer but I really appreciate what I have discovered so far. The net can be a place to feel less lonely, and a great support system.
This forum looks very warm and friendly....hello to you all and I hope to get to know some of you better.
cat

 

[catwixen]

Oh this is me.
And my cats....

 

[spuzzwink]

Hello Catwixen!

I'm not agoraphobic myself, but I am very introverted and I think the two conditions share a few characteristics (please correct me if I'm wrong!). When did you first experience agoraphobia and how has it affected you?

Also, what are you cats' names? They look cute!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[catwixen]

hey spuzzwink, I think introversion might be a trait of Agoraphobics, though I cannot say for sure. It certainly is for me! I guess the characteristics shared would be shyness, and finding it difficult to make small talk? Once I know someone I can talk their ear off, lol but to get to that point is very difficult.
I first experienced Agoraphobia aged 14 at high school. I started avoiding uncomfortable social situations...which at high school are many. I left school and did correspondance education. Avoidance became a habit. It has affected me in every avenue of my life, including drug and alcohol dependance for social situations.
My cats are leo (the white one) and Sarah...they are my babies.
Thankyou for the interest spuzzwink...may I ask where you are from and how long in this forum?

 

[spuzzwink]

Shyness and inability to make small-talk, definitely!
I think you'll find school was quite an uncomfortable time for many on this forum, myself included. Being thrust into a multitude of unwanted social situations or ostracised for not wanting to take part in others left me feeling quite unhappy and wondering what was wrong with me. How did you find correspondence education? I still use alcohol for its "dutch courage" properties, and rarely drink otherwise.

I like your kitties; I have two dogs and they're a bit like Laurel and Hardy - one's really fat and the other is really silly!

I've been here about a week and I love it. I rarely post online but here I feel I can be myself. I'm in the UK.

 

[catwixen]

Ostracised...yep, I understand that. I have always been somewhat of a nerd. LOL I love nerds...but they are not greatly appreciated at school. Sad how the "in group" of the time can make anyone outside of that feel so unworthy.
Correpondence education is much better for the learning aspect but of course helps very little in socialising...looking back it was a mistake to isolate myself further...but I did not realise that at the time.
Your dogs sound gorgeous...have any pics? They must be fun to watch interacting.
Oh you are a relative newbie? You are very friendly and have made me feel so welcome. I thankyou very much for that. You have a gift in being open to people I think. That is awesome!
The UK is home to most of my fave music and comedy shows.
Music: Kate Bush, Mike Oldfield..yeah I know...old music. lol
Comedy: The Goodies,Q8,Red Dwarf, Monty Python, The young Ones...hmmm old again.....

 

[spuzzwink]

I always consoled myself in school that one day I would have the satisfaction of seeing my hard work pay off in the form of a well-paid pleasurable job, whilst my less diligent cohorts would be forced to work very hard in jobs they hate! Unfortunately, NASA keeps rejecting me...

No pics of my dogs as of yet, I'm afraid. I may post some at a later date if I can get them to sit still for 2 seconds!

Thanks, you're very kind. I was made to feel very welcome when I joined and I remember thinking for some it could be quite a big step to join and without a warm welcome, some people may give up on the forum immediately. The anonymity of the internet helps; I can plan my posts and consider my wording. I'm not usually this open in real life to strangers!

I've been (re)discovering a lot of 80s stuff recently; I'm currently enjoying the work of Bruce Springsteen.
All superb comedy shows! I have particular affection for Monty Python and Red Dwarf. I also really enjoy radio comedy like I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue; ever heard of it?

 

[catwixen]

"sorry I haven't a clue" another Briton I know on the webs has mentioned it recently. I will look it up on youtube....seems to be popular.

NASA don't know what they are missing?

 

[catwixen]

Ha ha ha ha! Tim Brooke taylor and Graeme Garden are from "The Goodies"!!! Wild!
thumbs up!

 

[Steel]

Hey, and welcome. Plus, kudos for knowing of The Goodies lmao.

 

[catwixen]

Hi Steel...thanx for the welcome. I grew up with "The Goodies"...did you?

 

[Nyktimos]

Welcome to the forum Catwixen. You've a good taste in pets and comedy.

Like you, and many here, I can't strike up a conversation with people I don't know. Then when I do feel confident enough I take over the conversation and rattle on about myself constantly even though I'm boring people. See, I'm doing it again! Enjoy the forum.

 

[catwixen]

Thanx Nyktimos....I like the people here...very down to earth and genuine.

 

[Steel]

Yes, I grew up with it, it was essential viewing.

Who cannot love a giant kitten on a destructive rampage of London? lol

 

[catwixen]

yay! That was one of my favourites.

 

[Nyktimos]

Yes, I grew up with it, it was essential viewing.

Who cannot love a giant kitten on a destructive rampage of London? lol

I would love to see it fight Godzilla. In Tokyo. Who do you think would win?

 

[catwixen]

No way a lizard could beat a cat! Kitty for the win!!!!!

 

[Minus]

Welcome to the forum catwixen.

 

[Punisher]

Hi catwixen

 

[EveWasFramed]

Hey Cat, and welcome.