Agoraphobia! : I've been in my home for... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Agoraphobia!

Storm000 profile image
18 Replies

I've been in my home for over 10 yrs. It just makes no sense to me! I can't even walk my dog. I often wonder if it could be a self esteem issue as well. I can't find a therapist that even knows how to begin to help me.

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Storm000 profile image
Storm000
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18 Replies
Storm000 profile image
Storm000

That's a problem because as hard as I try, I can't get there. It's awful.

Storm000 profile image
Storm000

I have no family or friends & medicaid is just impossible to get any help but at the clinics. I've found that there's alot of therapist that don't even know how to deal with Agoraphobia. It's so strange not to be able to even go out in your own yard.

Storm000 profile image
Storm000

But if I try to drive to my appt. I have to turn around & come home, I get sick & sad.

Storm000 profile image
Storm000

I live in a house, therapists here are in clinics. You have to drive to the clinic to see the doctor or therapist.

Rosa15 profile image
Rosa15

I have that also it’s mostly due to stress and And overthinking and not enough self care.

Sky_clouds profile image
Sky_clouds

Can you consider calling someone to your home? Anyone. We have to let go of some things, clearly agoraphobia is the bigger concern here so you should try to call any kind human you happen to know. Doesn't have to be known to you , just someone you can somewhat trust. You cannot depend on them you understand that right? Because anyone will lose patience You have to try harder to get better making the most of every chance you get.

blueslite profile image
blueslite

I wonder if you've tried any online therapy sites. It seems to me that it's your only option. I understand about not having any friends or family - other than a niece and her husband I have no one either. And those two only help out when they can spare the time. But I don't have agoraphobia, although I understand how destructive it can be especially if you're alone. I assume that online therapy will charge for their services and I don't know if Medicaid will cover that. I found two sites that you may want to look at. I think you really need to do something to help yourself but you probably know that. Here are the two sites I found....

moodsmith.com/agoraphobia/

centerforanxietydisorders.c...

I hope maybe you can get some help from one of them.

EleanorRose profile image
EleanorRose

I wonder if you’ve tried to contact psychiatrists/therapists recently?

Ordinarily, you might have to go to the clinic but Covid restrictions might work in your favour here - lots of things that would normally mean having to go out are now being done online.

Storm000 profile image
Storm000 in reply to EleanorRose

You are right there! I have contacted a few places that are trying to get me help! Thank you! 😊

EleanorRose profile image
EleanorRose in reply to Storm000

I’m glad you’re trying to get the help you need.

I know this isn’t the quite the same and I don’t have agoraphobia but I do have experience of ‘extreme’ phobia. I have an intense phobia of doctors and avoided them for over a decade, even when I’ve thought I was seriously ill, the thought of death seemed preferable to going.

Anyway, I really needed to go (for antidepressants) back in December last year and with a little push from my therapist, I went. I was a complete and utter panicked mess, it was horrendous but I didn’t go because I felt like I could or because I was feeling any less scared than in the past, I went because I desperately needed the help and I’d had enough of how I was feeling.

I don’t say this lightly because I truly do understand the terror of phobias and I’m not even pretending ‘it won’t be as bad as you think’ - it probably will be the first time! But if it is the only way to get help, with some support, do try to force yourself to go.

It may feel like the most anxious day of your life, but I sense you’ve had enough of the way your anxiety has you trapped, you’re ready to be better - one (or maybe a few) awful days for a better future.

Snoopy54 profile image
Snoopy54

Hi Storm ... that's so hard .. you live alone ?

Snoopy54 profile image
Snoopy54

Oh I see you did say that ...

Storm000 profile image
Storm000 in reply to Snoopy54

Thank you! I try to stay hopeful that some day it will get better! 😊

Storm000 profile image
Storm000

Lol...I take it u don't have Agoraphobia & are not educated about it.

It's ok, if u don't live it, or see it, it's hard to understand it. 😊

Daesin profile image
Daesin

As Eleanor Rose mentioned the Covid issue has changed a few things, at least in the US.

I'm not dealing with agoraphobia, but live in a similar neighborhood. I'm experiencing severe PTSD due to medical trauma. so even considering going to a doctor's appointment puts me into a tailspin as I death grip my couch. Regular anxiety strikes at the grocery.

Finding a therapist that accepted my medical insurance and worked on my particular issue was a 6-month process. But we did find a neuropsychiatrist who worked over the computer rather quickly.

I'm blessed to have a wonderful primary that was able to provide a mood stabilizer to keep me from climbing the walls too badly in the meantime. This is all really helpful for me and I see where it may have some possibilities for you. Ask about telemedicine.

Best of luck to you.

Blessings to all.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1

Hi Storm000, I spent 5 years afraid to poke my head out the door.

At the time, I thought I was fortunate in having a therapist who would come

to my home, an Internist and his nurses who would visit me regularly and Lab Techs

who would take any necessary tests.

The problem is that it enabled my inability to get out.

Don't give up and seeking a therapist who now a days will to sessions

on line. .. As you start to take those first few steps forward, your therapist

can be with you virtually. Something I didn't have.

Don't give up. Even if you take a step forward and 2 steps back, the idea is to

eventually not stay stuck. Keep using this forum for support. I care :) xx

Snoopy54 profile image
Snoopy54

Hi Storm .., whether you have agoriphobia or not you still i wonderful important person 🤗

texasbonnet profile image
texasbonnet

Because of the threats of Covid, you can do either a phone call with a doctor or do a video visit. Doctors can prescribe medication if one does a video visit using your computer or phone. You deserve to live a much better life than you are doing. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

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