Re: more info
Oh my........ Okay, she is agoraphobic and her condition is emotionally based. You don't have to answer here, but I just wonder what other type of emotional damage was incurred by her mom. How else did she scare the sh*t out of her?
This is one scared little girl. The base of her anxiety and panic is "fear" accompanied most probably with insecurity and low self-esteem. It is these things that must be resolved. From my experience with agoraphobia, let me share with you that the fear is overwhelming. It permeates your very being, seems to take over every cell in your body and, on its own is very difficult to control. Let me rephrase that. When you are in the actual throes of anxiety, without the proper guidance, it cannot be controlled. You are at its mercy.
A person with agoraphobia needs a support person to lean on. And yes, uchihaMadara, very dark thoughts accompany this condition. They seem to have a life of their own. Suicide, unless triggered by drugs given to one, is highly unlikely, as the primary fear of one who has panic attacks is death. When a panic attack occurs, the feeling is that it will end in death. And I will tell you that it is very real. Now, in my studies I learned that someone with anxiety/panic/agoraphobia, has the emotional dependency of an 8 year old. I am going to share with you that from my own experience, I will drop that age level down to the emotional dependency of a 3 year old. This young lady needs a lot of love. And frankly, this is one of the main ingredients that she will need in her healing, for her to feel love and happiness.
Finding a therapist worth their salt could be extremely difficult, but not impossible. One problem is that they learn by the book and to truly understand what a person is going through you must have had to experience it. There is just no other way. And emotional healing takes time, but it is very possible. A person with agoraphobia needs lots of love and understanding, and tons of patience.
Okay......... So the fear is "emptiness" that will trigger a panic attack and she associates this with food. This is emotionally based and once the emotional issue and/or fear is resolved, this will disappear. Her diet doesn't sound too bad, unless the other foods consist of sweets, cakes, pies, etc. These are extremely harmful. Beans are good and the rice should be brown rice. The meat portion should consist of chicken, turkey, and fresh water fish. No red meat. And you will probably have to work with her when it comes to diet because of her fear of that "emptiness." It looks like it may have to be a gradual process. Does she live with someone, or is she alone most of the time?
Also, it is very unusual and highly unlikely that a therapist will go to her house (although I have heard that they are out there, few and far between). Again, this is because they don't "understand." It seems to me that anyone in a counseling situation with someone who is agoraphobic would make this a critera, but this is my own two cents. Anyway, is there anyone who could bring her to her appointments? It sounds like this is going to be crucial in her healing. Of course, I would suggest someone in the holistic field. This way, they could also help her with the proper diet and supplements. I so wish I knew someone who I could refer.
I am going to give you a couple of links to get started and hopefully you can find one in her area? Do you live close to her?
http://www.naturopathic.org/
http://heartspring.net/naturopathic_directory.html
By the way, I just did a google search on Diaphoresis and one of the causes is anxiety.
uchihaMadara, my heart goes out to this girl. Anxiety, especially when agoraphobia is involved, is a very serious condition. It basically ruins one's life. Yet, that life can be attained, and actually, a better life. Through love, understanding, and patience, she needs to see that she also needs to play an integral part in her healing. (And this is not easy) But if she knows that someone will be there to catch her if she falls, it will make it so much easier. And chances are that she won't fall. That's just one of the fears.
I so hope I have helped you to help her.
My Best,
Luella