This is really starting to bother my dad and I?

Question

Okay my mom has had problems for quite a long time now. However i feel that they are getting worse or going back to when they are really bad. She has or gad agoraphobia and would not leave the house. Me and my dad want to go away, as a family but she wont go with us. Were both tired of going to Florida for two weeks at a time without her because she "has to take care of the cats". I've got this wonderful girlfriend that im really in love with. I want her to come away with my family so she can get closer to them and stuff however my mom wont go anywhere at all. I'm 18 now and the last family vacation was when i was 7. i really feel its starting to effect my dad and i and there really is nothing we can do about it. She totally refuses to go get more help then what she once got. And i feel like its starting to get really bad again. Its sad and aggravating at the same time. What can my dad and I do to help this? Thank you.

Answer 1

Talk to her, let her tell you about how she feels.  Offer to help her if she gets help.  You and your dad might want to schedule a time to talk to her doctor.

To help you, I would suggest you and your dad read a book called The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Dr. Edmund Bourne.  It will help to explain why your mother is as she is and ways that she could try to break free of her self-imposed prison.

Trying to fix her yourself will not work, she has to want to help herself.  One thing you should know though is that many, many people have agoraphobia and have been able to return to a regular life.  It can be done!!!