getting out there

[one_direction_fan]

it’s been pretty hard since my sister moved to LA. she was always willing to come with me anywhere i needed to go(sometimes with a little bribing) but she knew i felt safer and less anxious with someone than by myself. when she left, i didn’t leave my house for anything but school for months. i feel so uncomfortable leaving my house, my room even, and with medication and therapy and support from my family and friends, i have started to leave for things and do things on my own. small things like shopping and appointments but still, alone! i get very anxious still and still have a ways to go but i’m getting there.

[Agora1]

Hi one-direction, Agoraphobia was a long hard struggle for me, part of it being that

I was allowing myself to be enabled. One day, my overwhelming Anxiety, didn't allow

me to go outside (not even to get the mail).

I thought I was so lucky in that my doctor was just starting his practice and offered to

come and do house visits. He also had his nurses coming to do vitals. If I needed Lab work, he had a Lab Tech come. I even had ultrasound done in home.

Therapy was also done in home and then by phone (and this was way before the Pandemic)

Add to that the ability to get anything you wanted on the internet, I thought I had it made and would never have to leave my home again. Was I wrong. After 5 years of living like this, I had enough of the 4 walls and imprisonment in my own home.

I worked on my fears and little by little took the next step (going outside) Real little steps and I mean little. Although it didn't take that long, it seemed like an eternity since I had

driven and been alone going anywhere but eventually I did. Others who know my story

know the day that I broke through this cycle of fear. That was the first time I drove to

my favorite store. The Dollar Tree.

Went it, grabbed onto a cart and was determined I was not going to run out. I started my

breathing exercises and slowly went up and down the aisles. I could feel my Endorphin levels getting higher as I felt exonerated and happier than I had been in 5 years. I was

free once again. Before long I realized that I had been in the store for almost 2 hours.

I checked out with bags of treasures lol Walked to the car, drove home and celebrated with Chocolate That was over 10 years ago. Life sure is Amazing. xx

[Hidden]

You go!! Good for you.

[Dallas_Cowboys]

I think that it is great that you are getting out there! So happy for you! You’re on your way!