I've been memed!

I don't normally like memes (is anyone actually keen on ploughing through 200 things about the memee?), but I was intrigued by this one, which I found in Mama Mouse's blog. The challenger asks you five questions relating specifically to your blog; you answer these and challenge others in your turn. Here are the questions which Mama Mouse asked me:

1.Were you always agoraphobic or was it brought on by a traumatic event?
It started developing gradually about 8 years ago, in connection with certain psychosomatic symptoms (severe dizziness and paralysis of the lower back and legs). First I noticed that I felt uneasy in cinemas and restaurants unless I was within easy reach of a quick exit. As my symptoms increased, so did my agoraphobia - shopping became extremely difficult, especially if there were long queues at the checkout, travelling longer distances on public transport was terrible, and taking my laundry to the Laundromat was pure torture. Nevertheless, I managed to keep going until I moved in with my husband (who has been my rock all the way through this, bless him ). Then I more or less collapsed, and the agoraphobia became so severe that I was terrified to leave the house. However, I had the great good fortune to be admitted to an excellent clinic for behavioural therapy for three months; they didn't cure my psychosomatic problems, but did start me on the road to curing my agoraphobia - without medication. As well as visiting a therapist once a week, I now take Cipramil to keep the psychosomatic symptoms under control, but I do think it was important to conquer the agoraphobia before starting the meds. Otherwise I might have started thinking that I can't go out unless I've taken my meds - a first step on the road to addiction.

2. What do you like most about the psychic gifts you have been given?
I wouldn't really say I have a "psychic gift" - that sounds like I spend my days talking to dead people in my living-room, a bit like the late Doris Stokes! *lol* Instead, I would say it's a more acute state of awareness, which anyone can achieve with practice and which enables you to look past the veil into another dimension on occasion. What I like most about it is that it makes life far more meaningful and less boring. The subtle messages sent to us by the universe, the angels or whoever are our guidemap to life, and any event can become meaningful if you are aware that it may be a pointer on your path. And it also makes me really happy if I can help someone else on theirs.

3. What do you like least?
Increased sensitivity means that you also perceive negative influences more acutely, and you have to make a special effort to protect yourself. Being in crowds is exhausting, because you pick up a muddle of vibes, thoughts and feelings from everyone around you. Some situations can be downright scary - books and films which might send a pleasant shiver down some people's spines are a waking nightmare to others. If some writers and producers could see what negative thoughtforms and vibrations they are putting into the world, they might think twice about what they are doing. Especially as these thought forms grow and are fed every time someone becomes immersed in these books or films. Unfortunately, the entertainment industry seems to find it necessary to resort to ever more violence, horror etc. to titillate the jaded palates of a hardened society.

4. How did you come to be living in Germany?
In 1994, I fell in love with a student from Dresden, and moved to Germany in 1995 to be closer to him. By then, he was an assistant lecturer at the ETH in Zürich, Switzerland, but I couldn't get a Swiss work or residence permit, so settled for the south of Germany as the next best thing. The relationship came to a sticky end in 1998, but there was no question of my going back to England, because I much prefer it here. Of course there are things I miss (Marmite, for example! *lol*), but I couldn't imagine going back now.

5. What is your favourite "fun" thing to do with your husband and child?
Going out as a threesome - visiting the zoo or adventure park, eating out, going shopping... As Roland has to work such long hours, even at weekends, we don't get to go out together very often, so any trip out (such as our recent trip to the airport) is special.

I enjoyed doing that - thanks Mama Mouse!

In accordance with the rules of the meme, here are the instructions for anyone else who might like to take part:

1. If you want to participate, leave a comment saying "Interview me". ("Tickle me" or "Caress me" are not acceptable substitutes.) You must leave your blog address so that I can think of good questions for you.
2. I will respond by asking you five questions - each person's will be different. I'll post the questions in the comments section of this post.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to my questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in your post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.