Agoraphobia/Travel issues

[Breezy23]

Hi there- new to this forum. I am looking to find a community to understand/cope with agoraphobia. I have issues traveling by plane, train, boat- basically anywhere I can't escape from -haha! TIA

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B23, Just give it up, if ya wanna get around. I think stuck in one place is bad; gotta move. I think you’d be good starting with your ‘safest’ way. No hurry, get comfortable. Work your way up til you flying the jet!

[Breezy23]

Yes - good advice. I started with elevators- hate those too. I have done a 35 min train ride with great difficulty. I feel embarrassed, people around me are just talking, reading and there I am trying not to freak out- so humiliating 😔

[Agora1]

Welcome Breezy23 to a great support forum. Do you know what might have caused your Agoraphobia??

I went through that myself for 5 years I never left my home.

I don't travel so that part was never an issue.

I did need an escape when in a church, theater and restaurant.

Always sitting at the end of a row or my back to the wall in a restaurant.

It's an entrapment feeling that is so overwhelming but can eventually be

controlled.

I also never drove during those 5 years. The fear of needing to escape and

the "what ifs" were so great that anything and everything felt frightening..

With medication and therapy (CBT) the door can start opening to your freedom.

One step at a time, as you are doing small trips. I'm happy you are with us as you

learn from others on this forum, you will not feel so all alone. xx

[Breezy23 in reply to Agora1]

Thanks so much - I am able to drive but have not flown in many years. I started CBT but found that I didn’t hav much to talk about if I wasn’t doing exposure events. I don’t know why this phobia has happened. My therapist didn’t seem to think the ‘why’ was worth pursuing. I don’t have any traumas or obvious reasons. I had planned to ride a train today but backed out because it is too crowded. I’ve never tried meds- what meds worked for you ? I have resisted this option but am more open to it now.

[Agora1 in reply to Breezy23]

Hi Breezy23, at the beginning of my anxiety, I was put on a small dose of benzoonce a day which was just enough to take the edge off. After being left on it for years,

I was switched to an SSRI (Lexapro) which helped break that fear cycle. CBT never worked for me as well.

It's more than about medication and therapy, it's about finding other methods/tools to

use while going forward. For me it was learning many different avenues of Meditation

and Breathing. The effects were enough to get me back to a normal life. It takes practice

and perseverance each and every day not just when the situation arrives.

We must all find what works for us. Your therapist will help you find the path that is

best for you.

As for myself, I am finally at peace within and it's an amazing feeling to be in such control

once again MY best to you xx

[CL3V3R-G1RL]

Welcome to forum. I myself am trying to get back out there. Really for me it comes down to building confidence in myself. So my therapist and I work out a plan for once a day to sit in my car for 5 mins. Just 5 mins. Learn to get comfortable. Don't deny the uncomfortable feelings they are going to pop up. But be dismissive of them. They are just sensations and they will pass. After that we'll move up to driving the car around the block. For me I prefer nights cause the neighborhood is asleep and less traffic. Eventually work our way up to day time.

Remember focus on the step not the entire staircase 😉 you'll get there. Don't feel embarrassed. I'm would give anything to sit next to ya and chat about how uncomfortable traveling is 😂 end up passing the time until we arrive 🚃

[Breezy23]

Thanks so much. Just hearing your experience makes me feel better. I think you have a good plan. I did start out riding elevators but realized it was too short of an ‘exposure’. Yes I agree, I think I try to push too far too fast and then get defeated. I have ridden a train (30min) a few times with difficulty. I had planned to ride once a week. I was on the train on Wednesday but hopped off before it left because I just couldn’t take it. I was sad, angry at myself. I was going to try again today but it was very crowded and that makes it worse. I just feel defeated 😔 Yes- having someone to chat with would really help!

Don’t give up!

[Taylormidnights]

Omg I am the same way