agoraphobia

Until she starts discussing it (which she does so openly) you would find it hard to believe that, for the last 26 years, she has suffered from the anxiety attacks of agorophobia and social phobia that have left her physically unable to venture out into the outside world - and at times kept her a prisoner in her own home.

Later, it became apparent that it was more compli-cated than just straight, even if severe, agorophobia.

Still today, she has to force herself to go out - probably with a friend or relative waiting in the car outside, so she knows there's an escape if the anxiety attacks of agorophobia or social phobia come back.

To anyone who's suffering from social phobia or agorophobia I say firstly - it's not going to kill you, and secondly - get the right help, because there is help out there.

Anxiety attacks associated with agorophobia and social phobia have been recognised for thousands of years, says Paul Salkovskis, Professor of clinical psychology and applied behavioural psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry at London's Maudsley Hospital.