Hi xxxxxxx,

yes, the anxiety and subsequent agoraphobia will go away or at least lessens

in severity as time goes by but.............and there is always a but, you

will have to work hard on the agoraphobia yourself.

If you never had this symptom, many do get it while in withdrawal.

It is not a withdrawal symptom per se but your own reaction to the outside

when in withdrawal.

As you probably know, agoraphobia is a fear of the " marketplace" which

really means you are not afraid of the outside but fear you won't be able to

handle your anxious symptoms while out.

Many " what-ifs" play a big part like what-if I faint, will people judge me,

will I do crazy things like screaming, take my clothes off and blah blah

blah.

Nothing of that sort you will do, you still have enough control over

yourself but the fear is there. And so agoraphobia sets in when you become

anxious at the mere thought of having to drive to town and away from your

safety zone which is your house.

But in reality, there is nowhere a safety zone for anxious people.

The fact they feel better when coming home is because they tell themselves

they wil feel relieved when home and so they give their nervous system a

positive message and adrenaline slows down.

This in itself makes them feel better.

The moment another trip to town has to be made, they tell themselves

something like " not again!!! I can't stand being there alone, I will feel

anxious, ill, dizzy etc etc"

And so adrenaline is pumped into the system before the trip had a chance to

start.

This is agoraphobia. And while anxious from withdrawal and you know how

severe that can be, it is no doubt a breeding ground for agoraphobia.

Now that you know you are causing this yourself to go on, you are now in a

position to do something about it.

You must tell yourself positive affirmations, that nothing will happen while

out, that you won't faint, take your clothes off or whatever and that you

will be fine, WITH the anxious symptoms.

They don't kill nor make you go crazy, they are just very annoying.

The moment you fear your symptoms of anxiety, you are toast.

Anxiety around other people is treated the same way. It's all in what your

internal dialogue says....."what do people think of me, what if they see I

am anxious, my hands shake, I sweat, I stumble over my words,I pee in my

pants" and I'm sure you have plenty of your own versions.

You would be surprised how many people you talk to feel the same about

themselves....this knowledge alone must make you feel better.

You are not alone with it.

Anxiety recovery comes from gaining confidence in your ability to handle

anxious feelings, regardless if the anxiety you now have is from the drugs.

Your fearful reactions still must stop to give it a chance to heal.

A c/t from a benzo usually is a recipe for protracted symptoms but they too

eventually fade out.

it's a question of time.

Just keep trucking as best as you can, and you will get there.

Madelon