I DON’T KNOW WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME

I had a traumatic experience about six months ago when I got stuck in a lift with eight other people. We were stuck for four hours and it was so horrible feeling those people crowding in on me.

I’ve developed a fear of being in places where there are lots of people. It’s a mission even going to the small mall close to my home. If my friends ask me to go to the movies with them I find a reason not to go. It’s becoming more and more difficult for me to leave my home and go to places where there are people. What’s wrong with me? What can I do? Lerato, email You’re probably suffering from agoraphobia (the fear of groups of people), triggered by your traumatic experience. People with this phobia have a marked fear of at least two of the following: using public transport, being in open spaces (such as parking lots), being in enclosed places (malls and cinemas), standing in line, being in a crowd and going outside their home alone. They avoid these situations as they fear escape from them might be difficult. Their fear or anxiety is often out of proportion to the actual danger posed.

You need to address this immediately as agoraphobia tends to become worse over time. Consult with a psychologist who can firstly help you to work through the original trauma that’s caused the phobia, and secondly help you to manage the agoraphobia itself.

If you need it, a psychiatrist could also prescribe medication for anxiety so you find it easier to venture out again. The medication can be tapered off once the underlying problem has been resolved.