Agoraphobia and the Internet--Blessing or Curse?

[angelgodiva]

I know there are a few folks with this disorder in the forums, and I was wondering what you all thought of this--
For those of you who are not familiar with the term, "agoraphobia", which is Greek for "fear of the marketplace", is the name of a disorder which causes the suffewrer to be afraid to leave their home.
Some people cannot even open the door to the outside, whereas others are able to venture out into their own yard but cannot go any further than that.
For years, this meant that the sufferer was cut off from the rest of the world. Then the Internet came along, and things changed for these folks in a big way.
Now, the agoraphobic individual could go into forums and chat rooms and interact with other people without having to leave his or her home. This meant that these people could have friends, just like everyone else...there isn't a doubt in my mind that this aspect is a good thing.
On the other hand, now that the agoraphobic person can order anything they might need over the computer and talk to others whenever they please, there is really no urgent need for them to leave home at all. I would imagine that this would keep the afflicted person from caring whether or not they ever receive treatment for their disorder. That is the part that I am wondering about. Is that really such a good idea?
Tell me what you all think.

[monosphere]

Well, I think the internet is fine to use as a tool, but it's definitely not healthy to rely on it just to be able to get through life. Those with agorophobia can benefit from the web to try to get comfortable with interacting with others at first, but at some point you need to take the training wheels off if you really want to ride a bike. Unfortunately, when one has this type of technology one might lose ambition or even reason to go any further. It's just too damned convenient to stay online rather than trying to meet some of these people in person or getting out to see the things you can only see in pictures via the computer. Is the internet a blessing or a curse? Well, I'm on here right now instead of going out to visit friends face to face and it's the last nice day before we get some crap weather. What does that tell you?

I'm of a mind that ANYTHING in excess can be harmful. Sugar, alcohol, weed, porn, television, sex, meat, technology, etc. ( the sex part could be debated:p )

But I must get going as I need to step away from this infernal machine and go mow my lawn or somethign productive before the rain comes.

But I'll be back.

Mono

[StellaBlue]

Firstly, I love this forum and this post.

The question stated above is a mixed issue for me. I never even touched a computer let alone the internet until agoraphobia came along. By nature I think I'm a very social person, I need to talk to wide ranges of people, etc. Before I got a computer I was becoming extremely introverted, not wanting to socialize with anyone. The computer helped a lot.

When one developes agoraphobia its rather hard to keep local friends, for the fact that they have lives, and like to be active, instead of sitting at your house doing nothing. The internet allowed me to make amazing friends, and later allowed me to meet some of those amazing people. Without the internet I would've never met my two best friends, and also Jesse, and my current boyfriend. The internet causes people to have to learn about someones mind first. Theres really no first impression, no awkwardness, none of the stipulations that come with physical meetings. People have to get to know you, not your disorder. It's sad because in physical life often people ARE their disorders in others eyes, the internet changes that drasticly.

The downside is a big one also, and fortunatly one I've yet to experience on a large level. People living with agoraphobia have to be insanely fed up with their situation before they can make steps forward. The internet can act as a sort of pacifier I suppose. For me it hasn't because all of my friends are out of state, I long to go travel with them, go to shows etc. It keeps me on my toes. :)

[cerridwen]

I'm glad that there are people who are open enough to talk about these things, to help teach those of us (like me!) who know little about it....

[MattInVegas]

Mine is a mild case. But it hurts because I'm lonely most of the time. Getting my heart broken over the internet doesn't help any either. :(
I can only cry on you guy's shoulder.

[Althea]

I agree with what Monosphere and StellaBlue had to say. I have a mild case of agoraphobia myself and the internet has been a wonderful way to meet friends, shop etc. But, as Monosphere said, anything in excess is not a good thing. I started feeling guilty about how much time I spent on the net so lately what I'm doing is planning at least one "righteous" thing for the day such as going out for a walk, yard work, going out to breakfast with my mom, grandma and/or friends, shopping...even if it's just to pick up a book at Borders, a trip the library etc. Initially I feel apprehensive about leaving the house but I feel much better for having done it when I get back. Today for example instead of asking my hubbie to pick up the few groceries we needed after work, I went out and got them myself. I then stopped at Starbucks and got a cafe mocha. That may sound like not such a big deal to those of you who do not suffer from agoraphobia, but to those that do I'm sure you'll understand how even little trips like that one can be a big deal. I got back a few minutes ago and now I feel great...I don't have that "trapped" feeling that I had prior to going. Point is I'm taking steps to beat this thing. The net helps, but it's not enough, at least for me.

[MattInVegas]

These days, it's a BLESSING for me. I still get lonely, but I can visit with my forum friends. Plus, Althea and I just added the "Amber Alert" to our site. It's a Karma boost for us all.
We couldn't DO that without the Internet.

[showmet]

For many years I had crippling shyness ... I hate it when people say they are shy but aren't - I mean I never actually spoke to anyone for about 3 years and was completely unable to participate in any kind of social situation until my mid twenties. Maybe there's another name for this. But all this time my mind was racing and I could express myself extremely well through the written word. When the internet came along this meant I could have artificial friends without the barrier of crippling social anxiety getting in the way. It's extremely lonely sometimes to have so many ideas to share but no outlet.

However, it did become an excuse to never leave the house, never make real friends, never go for the jobs I wanted to do but was incapable of because of the social anxiety, and never do all the things "normal" people do. Interestingly, plucking up the courage to actually meet some of my internet friends was one of the things that helped me to overcome the shyness. It was so much easier meeting people who already knew your mind. Blessing or curse? It's both.