THE AGORAPHOBIC:

The lack of knowledge and lack of help in the community can lead to the complete or partial
inablility to:

     go out alone
     stay in the house alone
     go to the letter box
     go to the shops, supermarkets
     stand in queues
     be in open or crowded palces
     attend theatres or cinemas
     attend school functions
     go on family holidays
     take children on outings
     visit realatives in hospital
     cope in hospitals
     keep appointments at doctors, dentists, hairdressers etc.,
     be able to do something one day and not another

Ideas for enjoyable things to do

                  Things to do to pamper yourself:

                     Have (or give yourself) a facial
                     Have a massage
                     Try different perfumes in a dept. store
                     Paint your fingernails
                     Have a bubble bath
                     Try out new hairstyles
                     Have a haircut or get your hair coloured
                     Hug your favourite person
                     Eat your favourite food
                     Buy yourself a bunch of flowers
                     Buy yourself a new piece of clothing or another special gift

                  Things to do around the house

                     Do some gardening
                     Do some handywork around the house
                     Do some sewing
                     Listen to music
                     Dance to some music
                     Watch television
                     Play with your pets
                     Sit in the sun
                     Make a cake

                  Things to do on your own

                     Write a letter to a friend
                     Write a short story or poem
                     Play a computer game
                     Learn or practise a musical instrument
                     Paint
                     Draw
                     Do some pottery
                     Sing
                     Knit
                     Do some woodwork
                     Do a jigsaw puzzle
                     Read a good novel
                     Read an interesting non-fiction book
                     Read your favourite magazine
                     Read the newspaper
                     Buy or make a present for someone
                     Look through your favourite photo album
                     Play a card game (eg Patience)

                  Social activities

                     Phone a friend
                     Visit a friend or a neighbour
                     Prepare a special meal for friends or family
                     See a play, ballet, or opera
                     See your favourite band
                     Go to your favourite restaurant
                     Play with your children
                     Invite friends over for a video & popcorn
                     Ask yourself over to a friend’s place
                     Hold a Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, or Charades evening

                  Active things

                     Go for a stroll or brisk walk
                     Go jogging
                     Go rollerskating
                     Hire a bike
                     Hire a tandem bike
                     Do some aerobics
                     Do some weight lifting
                     Arrange a game of tennis or squash
                     Kick a ball around the oval
                     Play ping-pong
                     Have a game of golf
                     Go for a swim
                     Fly a kite
                     Walk the dog
                     Go fishing

                  Things to do away from home

                     Walk along the beach
                     Go to a film
                     Visit the zoo
                     Go to a local flea market
                     Go shopping
                     Go to the library
                     Visit a bookshop
                     Visit the art gallery
                     Visit the museum
                     Go to a poetry reading
                     Watch a game of football or soccer

                  Ideas for enjoyable things to do from
                  Andrews G and Jenkins R, 1999, Management of Mental Disorders,
                  (UK Edition) Sydney, World Health Organization Collaborating Centre
                  for Mental Health and Substance Abuse.