Trapped By Agoraphobia
Thankfully, Ward and her doctor were interviewed by New Zealand's Manawatu Standard. After the story was picked up by a local television program, Close Up, Ward found herself with all kinds of help, including an ambulance ride to the hospital for testing. It was the first time Ward left her hometown of Foxton in 16 years.
"I still can't believe I did it," Ward told the Manawatu Standard. "People had gone to so much trouble to organise it, and I was determined."
For more:
- Woman Beats Fear to Get to Hospital
- March 10th show on Close Up and the April 10th show
Have you had any difficulties getting to medical appointments because of agoraphobia? How can doctors and other treatment providers help people with agoraphobia and panic disorder get to medical appointments?
Comments
Yep. I have canceled a LOT of appts……
I have cancelled appointments, too, it’s so scary because I have diabetes and am not taking proper care of myself.
I, too, have cancelled doctor’s appointments out of fear of driving the 30 miles and the anxiety of sitting in the waiting room. It’s so frustrating that I actually feel better after I cancel the appointment.
I used to cancel many appointments. I have Fibromyaglia, connective tissue disease, and many other health issues. I travel 2.5 to 3 hours for my medical care. It is not easy and it is not comfortable. Yet I know if I do have an attack, I am in a place where I am safe and where someone can help.
I can’t even get myself to MAKE an appt. I have a grave fear of Doctors and medicene’s. I haven’t been to a Doctor in approx. 15 years.
I, too, have not been able to go to doctors or a dentist for regular check-ups and I have canceled appointments in the past. I know I need dental work, but the thought of getting “attitude” from a dentist keeps me from even picking up the phone.
One thing doctors and dentists could do to help bring in patients that suffer from anxiety and agoraphobia would be to allow the patient SOME control or say during the procedures. Help the patient acclimate to the situation and make sure they are comfortable. A lot can be accomplished without automatically medicating someone, but the medical professionals really have to care enough to do it.
Over the course of 21 years living with anxiety/panic disorder, Agoraphobia and OCD, I have had to cancel and enormous amount of doc and dental appointments. And hospitals….oh gosh….TERRIFIED! The long hallways, few exits, and multiple floors! Forget it! It’s a horrible feeling not being able to get the care you know you need so desperately because your fears are so overwhelming. I wouldn’t wish my illnesses on my worse enemy.
Oh, there have been times I’ve wished my disorder on others (especially doctors and dentists! LOL) when I’ve encountered ignorance, rudeness and a total lack of compassion. I’d bestow panic disorder and agoraphobia upon them at least temporarily, just to give them an idea of what it REALLY feels like.
I don’t know why they bothered to help this woman. She won’t be able to get to the next appointment anyway. They should try to find a cure for agoraphobia instead of heroic efforts to fool everyone into thinking that she will be alright. She won’t be.