It pains me to read other bloggers, how they are suffering with this, so instead of me trying to respond to each one I thought I should put it in my own blog....I hope this helps others.
I was once damn near agoraphobic- a shut in, house bound in my early 20's. I'd be tip toeing around, walking on eggshells in my nightgown at noon, freezing in terror when the stupid phone would ring or someone would knock on the door...often I wouldn't answer either one. I was petrified...scared out of my mind. I remember not being able to talk about this....then seeing someone who was agoraphobic on 20/20 and crying with the lady who was freaking out and crying because she had to walk outside of her house.
I've come a longgg way....today, I still get stressed or anxious at times, and have rare spells of panic...but what has helped me so much is knowing that I'm in control. I can leave anytime I want, and if you have friends or a girlfriend/boyfriend you can talk to, its good to have a code word you can use to work into a conversation when you want to leave. LOL- it could be "pickles" "Gee, I like PICKLES! Don't you like PICKLES?!!" It helps if u can laugh....I know its not funny at all while your having extreme feelings...so try to find things that make you laugh.
Try to find ways of socializing that is less uncomfortable, that you can tolerate. Finding a friend you can laugh with or have positive social experiences can be hard sometimes but the more you work on that, the easier it gets.
Projects that make you happy that you can immerse yourself in- or escape in, is almost a need for people with SAD. It's good to plan them so you can carry on a normal life and know that you have something to look forward to, after a hellishly brutal day.
I dont want to seem like I'm cured because I don't really beleive there is such a thing, but I know that you can manage your anxiety better. Hope this helps somebody 
