Hubby and I Walked To End Of Block

You have to confront your fears in order to overcome them. The best way to do this is by gradual steps. You need to allow yourself to do something that you can handle, not something overwhelming.

For example you might try just walking to the end of the driveway a couple times a day. Then walk to the next house. Then two houses and so on. Do it often enough and you'll get results fairly quickly. I'd say within a couple of weeks at most you'll be surprised you ever had those fears.

I went through a phobia awhile back and received some very good cognitivw training. It went like this, and you might try it: first, visualize each stage of your walk, ie talking about "let's take a walk", to putting on your coat, on and on. Then, start slowly, simply do the first step, eg putting on your coat and then sitting down to reflect on how you feel and think. Take in everything. Then put your coat away - that's right, don't walk. The next day go theough your next step - coat and walk down the driveway. Stop, listen, feel, reflect. Next day, down the sidewalk a bit. Keep stretching it, always feeling and memorizing the moment. What you are doing is acclimating yourself to everything in the experience and understanding your reactions, slowly and within your comfort zone. Only stretch to the point of anxiety - don't force yourself beyond it or you will only strengthen your fear. After each step try to identify your fear, ask yourself what the worse case scenario is - will you really have that heart attack? Will you really fall? Will your really have a panic attack and stop breathing? Rationalize your fear at each step so you recognize and manage it as you progress. Your will become familiar with your reactions to the stimuli along the way and become less reactive and more rational about your thoughts. After each stage, talk over your feelings with your husband if he will lend an ear. You'll get to where you are going, eventually with only memories of your anxiety.