Hi there, Melissa again. I would like to tell you the therapy I have been doing, but that won't be posted if I try, since it is alternative and not medically "approved"! I have tried adding my email address and that was also deleted!! I sincerely hope that anyone that is suffering from the same thing can find the right tools to help them overcome this horrible condition!! The therapy I used worked wonders for me!

Melissa I am SO happy to hear that you are doing better. I have thought about you alot since watching it and since I am not home when the show comes on anymore I was happy to come here and see that you had posted.What kind off therapy are you doing? Thanks for the update and keep us posted!

Hello, This is Melissa. I am the "agoraphobic" person featured in this story. I am putting agoraphobic in quotations, because that is how I was labelled for many years. Through a great alternative therapy, I've learned that this is not something I was born with, and therefore, it is a label that was given to me by my numerous doctors, etc. over a very long period. I am doing fantastic! There is nothing I now will not try to do. We recently had an ice storm here that kept us all inside, and I couldn't wait to get out!! I know how horrible and debilitating this "condition" is. I am now on a new journey down a wonderful, enlightening path! I've missed so much in my life, and I wish only the best for anyone else suffering from this.

Hi I am Brandi,Melissa's daughter. I just want to respond and tell you my mother is doing great. She is now going places and doing things she has missed out on in years. It is due to an alternative therapy that is working like a miracle.

I had a traumatic birth experience four years ago, when I delivered my daughter and have since became home bound. I have attacks, and cannot do the things I used to be able to do. I was a very very independant person that would travel alone, and now I can't even go to the store by myself. I am living in a personal prison. I have been told I have erratic brain wavews, but after being put on anti depressant after anti depressant nothing helped. I now have become NOTHING. My being here is just taking away from my kids "normal" childhood. I have tried almost everything and have had no luck. My husband has to do everything that involves going somewhere, including going to buy my personal products. I do not want to do this to them anymore. I need help. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to find a caring Doctor. (I have been told many things...depression, heart problems, high blood pressure and even been told a cyst in my sinus) Well, what is it? My life is crumbling, away day after day. Anyone know how I can send this to Dr. Ablow, because maybe he has the name of a good physician in my area! Thanks
Susan

It has now been over 2 month and I too am wondering if Dr. Keith will have Melissa on his show, this time in person. If so, I hope he shares how he did it. I too am agoraphobic and have been for more than 20 years, haven't found much help available in my area.

I'm waiting for the Agoraphobic Mellissa show you said you would have back in 2 months. February 14 will be 2 months

About the homebound women yes it may have started with her parents, but that husband of hers only adds to her phobia, he is controlling, uncaring and he sucks his daughter into his way of thinking. What chance does she have with both of them not understanding and thinking only of themselves. She need to get away from him.

Melissa! It can be done! I did it! Today was like watching a large part of my life. Married to a high profile politician I suffered with agrophobia & panic attacks for 15 years. Now free from it, that ugly monster still raises its head once in awhile. But my coping skills just talk him back down. Unable to attend Inaguation and walk down that beautiful staircase in the capitol with my husband was only one of the things I gave up year after yr. I, like you, had my 1st panic attack in a grocery store; Out of the clear blue
My husband was incredibly understanding and stuck by me every step of the way. We went thru hell and back several times and almost didn't make it but we did and it's just a bad bad nightmare. I couldn't go to my boys high school events and I also had the same experience regarding my kids weddings. I credit my overcoming this with many things. Procaz and Xanax gave me the ability to fight it and find help. I feel your confusion about the conrol issue. Grab a book called "Boundaries" it helped me alot in dealing with my inability to trust my own decisions because I had depended for so long on others. It is a ficious circle in wanting and needing help from loved ones and holding them up to an expectation level that they in no way can they meet. Anyway, the Dr. was "right on" with the direction he is taking you. Melissa, I was and am an intelligent, educated and talented woman that now can accomplish my desires. I just had to decide to make my own choices and take that responsibility upon myself and not care what others thought. I also had to get to the point of being willing to lose everything and everybody. You can do it girlfriend...I know you can. Be determined and give up that silly insecurity. From one determined lady to another.....I send my sincerest best wishes... Jennifer Burton, Joplin, Missouri

I grew up with a mother who was in the same state as Melissa. When I was 6 or 7 I can remember her not coming out of her room, not even being able to open the shades or windows. It continued thru my teens. My father came to all of my major events, my mother never saw me sing on stage all those years. Family and friends used to yell at her to go see a doctor...problem was, she couldn't leave the house to go SEE a doctor...and none around us would come to her. My wedding was her turning point. When I got married at 23, she actually came to the wedding..first time she had gone anywhere in 23 years! My parents left early, but she came and that meant the world to me because I know how hard it was for her. She ended up turning to her faith and for her, that worked. She is now cured and I can never find her at home when I need her!!!! She volunteers with all sorts of organizations from churches to my daughter's school. I think she actually has a more active social life than I do! I just wish all those who suffer with this horrible phobia are able to overcome it, through whatever means, and enjoy a "normal" life again! And as far as Melissa's husband is concerned, when she overcomes this, I think she needs to consider overcoming him as well! If he loved her, he would be as supportive as possible! It's a sickness that is not controllable by her...or by his threats and anger. All that does is make it worse! My thoughts and prayers to Melissa and all those who are suffering. Most of us understand and want to help!

I would like to communicate with Melissa,the woman whom is agoraphobic.I am still recovering from it and I was in almost the exact same situation as her.I now drive and go places,just not 100 % better yet,but I will be.I know how she feels inside and out.I would to try and help her in anyway I can.TY,L.

Hi, my name is Olivia and I'm a 24 yr. old diagnosed with social anxiety.I have a comment on today's show,"Are you trapped in your own home". First of all, I commend Melissa's husband and daughter for sticking by her side, but I can relate to Melissa in so many ways. It's hard for others to understand what you are going through if they've never experienced it.
In dealing with my anxiety, I've learned that it's not leaving the house that makes me so anxious, but it's those devilish thoughts that I'm having before I leave. I now force myself to leave home even If I just go to a quiet place like the public library or go riding. At the end of the day, I have something to be proud of. So, in my opinion, Melissa made great progress by going out to the store.After all, you have to set small goals in order to accomplish the main goal

I dont exactly know who i am writing too but i wanted some advice or more tan advice is help from Dr. Keith. I've been suffering from what doctors say is generalized anxiety disorder. which to me when told this was going to be easy to overcome. I at first thought i had some sort of heart condition because of the chest pains and shortness of breath, but after numerous ekg's and blood work, it seems that at least physically i am perfectly normal. well i feel far from normal. i never leave my room, i feel like i cant do anything, have lost all social contact with friends, dont excercise anymore because i think their is something wrong with my heart and it could triggger a heart attack or something, and i have been on several medications for this...none of which has worked very well. i feel like im losing my life and i'm losing hope. im only in my mid 20's and all that i used to stand for has gone away. The gritty young man always full of adventure has fallen victim to this disease and im frustrated and overwhelmed. sometimes i feel like death has taken over and its just a matter of time. I hope i get a response cuz ive tried everything else my budget can afford now that i'm no longer at work because of this condition.

I would just like to say I know how it feels to not be able to go where you want to when you want to. I am 34 years old and have lived with this for 6 years now and have tried to find help and can't find anyone willing to help in my area. I try and fight everyday to get out and try to get better and it is that a fight to do it it is hard on my family and wish I could get help so I can work and feel like a person and not a burden on them. My prayers go out to anyone that is living with this and hope anyone else that has this finds help.

melissa, I was in her shoes. I was homebound for most of my 20's. I want to talk to her and tell her how I overcame it. I know exactly how she feels and exactly what she's going thru. I also live in PA. I'm 40 now (today as a matter of fact) and I really think I could be a support person for her. Your show moved me. I am so glad you did this show.

I just have one thing to say to her husband.He must love her much to say he wish she was dead.My wife suffers from the same problem and I do not wish that about her.If it wasn't for me she would not even get out of the house.

i started having panic attacks in 1989..i thought i was going crazy. a dr. put me on medication for panic attacks and it worked..you can help so many people that watch your show...dr keith i know what these people are talking about and they need help...it is very scary what they are going thru...believe me when i say i want to help these people thru you..i got a job with the state of texas in 1991 until i retired in 2005...

I can really identify with the woman who has agoraphobia. I've had it for 10 years and watching her try to leave I felt exactly what she was going through. It is such a crippling illness and many people simply don't understand it ( including myself ) It's so awful feeling that panic that just staying home seems like the only life I'll have. I am a very resourceful person so I get what I need as far as groceries, pet supplies, bills paid, etc.. but I sure miss my " old " life driving down a country road, going to restaurants, the movies, and visiting friends and family. I wish everyone luck trying to conquer their anxiety and get mobile again.