<p><b>If Hal Could Do It, So Can You</b></p><p>The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that nearly 1.5% of the population of the United States suffers from agoraphobia at some point in their lifetime. That's 4.5 million people.</p><p>You are not alone. No matter how alone you may feel, you are not alone.</p><p>Former journalist, social worker, and amateur actor Hal Mathew knows exactly what it's like "to fear fear," which is how he describes the dread feeling that kept him from leaving home (or at least leaving sober and at ease) for nearly 30 years. Then, slowly but with grit and determination, he began to piece together a plan for overcoming his phobias and resuming a regular life. And it worked. And then he started teaching other people how to do it. Now he has written this book to share his self-care plan with you.</p><p>"Un-Agoraphobic <i>is designed to help you make discoveries--many every day--that will help you realize a new way to think about and/or take control of everyday problems you couldn't manage as recently as this morning. …Once you get the ball rolling, you won't be able to stop it until you are completely and forever free of panic disorder and everything that comes with it. You are going to be free, my friend. Totally." </i>-from the Introduction</p><p>Hal will guide you through writing practices, visualization techniques, even cooking and eating routines to help you feel anchored and safe and ready to take your first trips out of the house. He'll answer your questions, offer general survival tips, and even includes a special chapter for your spouses and loved ones.</p><p>No one knows exactly what causes agoraphobia or panic attacks, but miscommunication in the brain is certainly involved. The good news is that recent neuroscience research shows us that the brain is retrainable--at any age. You <i>can</i> stop feeling like this. You <i>will</i> stop feeling like this. With Hal's help, you will be able to retrain your body and brain so you can take your life back. Totally and forever.</p>