Admittedly, I am more of a reader (some of you may say "lurker") than an active poster/participant in the group. At least publicly, that is.
In reading through, and getting to know, many of the people on this site, there are many diverse relationship situations, family dynamics, health issues, etc., that got us where we are. I am certainly no different in that respect.
I am also no less agoraphobia than many of you. There are some days when I do literally become housebound because my anxiety levels are so high. I have used the term "situationally housebound", and in my opinion it is an accurate label for my particular battle with this disorder.
With regards to basic day-to-day, regular interpersonal and social relationships, I have a long way to go, as do most of you. Unfortunately for me, this hit me full force at a time when I was single, and because of the isolating effects of this affliction, I remain so. Pre-agoraphobia, I never lacked for female companionship (let's leave it at that 
. I think those of you who had significant others who have supported you through all this, you should consider yourselves very lucky. I certainly wish I did.
Now, that being said, one area that I have refused to let agoraphobia run and ruin my life is in my ability to make a living. I run two pretty successful businesses, one as a programmer and one as a trader. I have found a way to function at a high level as an agoraphobic in a world that can be merciless to us - IF WE LET IT. As far as financially, I acknowledged I was dealt a bad hand with the agoraphobia that has limited my mobility and have missed some opportunities as a result. But I am tenacious in exploiting what I CAN do and what I am good at, instead of lamenting about what I can't do. Strangely, at least to me, I am quite the confident person when the agor dosen't get in the way. I routinely "test" myself when my anxiety levels are down by going out on pseudo "dates", knowing that I can only take it so far because as an agoraphobic, unless you find someone who is INCREDIBLY understanding, you can only go so far before this becomes a roadblock. The cruel irony is that I have lots of friends, a close family, financial stability, decent looks and sense of humor (perhaps these last two are subjective 
). But I pull back whenever a realtionship threatens to become more than casual. I am taking as being aloof and shallow, while the truth is I am exactly the opposite. It's just that the agoraphobia gets in the way, as I know you all can relate too.
I am trying to apply the same tenacity I have in not letting agoraphobia prevent me from making a good living, to other aspects of my life. Definitely a "work in progress".
Anyway, don't know if I'm qualified to give any advice, so I'll call it an observation: DON'T USE THE HAND WE'VE DEALT AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO DO SOMETHING. I know this is a support group, and support groups are great, but it also makes it easy to lament your situation and accept this a permanent and hopeless situation forever.
For me, I know if I get into that mindset, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Good luck to all.
