Agoraphobia

[PoppyRo]

Ive been struggling with agoraphobia for the past 4 years. I dont know where to turn to anymore because ive done all the teeatments, meds, even all the unhealthy coping skills. I panic as soon as i leave the house. Hence, my husband and kids are suffering too, so i feel like a total failure.

[LoveforAll41]

I am so sorry PoppyRo. You go to regular therapy? Have you tried ketamine and psilocybin and the wierd stuff? There is a lot to try. Is there something that happened 4 years ago to bring this on? There may be people to help in kids friends' parents and whatnot? Good community clubs and stuff? Never give up! I know that many days just continuing to live is a victory. Have compassion for yourself, there is a reason for the feelings. I wish you peace, hope, and strength ☮️

[gajh]

Hello and Welcome. I have had agoraphobia for the past 4 1/2 years. What has helped me may not be available in your area. It is called LENS Neurofeedback. LENS stands for Low Energy Neurofeedback System. It is different from traditional Neurofeedback in that it introduces a low current into your brain rather than just reads your brain waves. LENS is not widely available in all areas. Insurance does not cover it. I had to pay out of pocket. My therapist recommended me to a practitioner who is only in my area 6 months out of the year. Other than that there isn't anywhere for me to get it done. It is supposed to treat depression and anxiety. It is supposed to show benefits in as little as 3 treatments and usually takes a total of 10 treatments. I have already tried TMS Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation without much success and Spravato nasal inhaler of Ketamine without success. It took at least 6 or 7 treatments for me to notice any improvements. I was only able to get a total of 12 treatments because my practitioner went away. It did not make a dramatic difference in my depression and anxiety, but it did make a pretty significant difference in my agoraphobia. Before treatment I wasn't leaving the house by myself. My Father drove me to treatments. During treatment I started going out to the mailbox by myself. One time I went for a walk outside by myself. Then I started going out to dinner with my boyfriend. Then I went to the movies with my boyfriend. I committed to going out once a week. Monday I drove to the pharmacy by myself. I had my therapist on the phone with me while I drove there, but hung up once I arrived. So I shopped by myself and drove home by myself. So it hasn't completely resolved my agoraphobia, but it has made a very significant difference. The LENS helped with my anticipatory anxiety about going out. It also helped me to stop having really bad days with depression when I had a hard time even just getting out of bed. So in the end I do recommend the treatment. It is not a miracle cure by any stretch of the imagination, but it did make a significant difference for me. Now I just need to keep setting new goals for myself for going out especially alone. I had a total of 12 treatments and I plan to have more when my practitioner returns. It has also helped me so much being on this site and chatting with someone else who has agoraphobia. Being able to share all of this with someone who understands has been amazing because most people just don't understand agoraphobia. Sorry this was so long. I just wanted to share it with you in case it is available to you and in case it could help you in your healing journey. Please let me know if you have any questions. I wish you the very best.

[Agora1 in reply to gajh]

Hi gajh, I found your response very interesting. As a matter of fact, I did some research

on Nerofeedback LENS vs Biofeedback (which I had years ago)

Along the same line except Neurofeedback is like being on Steroids compared to Bio

Biofeedback. Excellent treatment in reprogramming your brain to turn to positive

thoughts rather than the negative. This allows you to lower your anxiety. Thanks for

bringing up the new treatment available now. xx

[gajh in reply to Agora1]

Traditional Neurofeedback is more available. It is supposed to be very effective too it just typically takes a lot more treatments. LENS is not very available well in most areas but it is supposed to work in only 10 treatments or so. That is interesting that you did Biofeedback. Did you find it beneficial?

[Agora1 in reply to gajh]

Absolutely beneficial.. Let me know more about LENS as you get into your

treatments. Anything noninvasive is worth a try. I know you said insurance

doesn't cover it. They covered my Biofeedback at the time but not my therapies

on Self-Hypnosis or Acupuncture . For me it was worth every penny out of

pocket to get that training. Wish you well on your treatments. xx

[davidthecoder]

Hi PoppyRo, just wanted to show some support and love towards you.

I too developed some agoraphobia around 2020. I think it is related to my Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Also you are not a total failure! You came to the right place and I hope you will find others to connect with here that will help you make progress with overcoming this.

All the best to you,

David

[Jstbcuz]

Hi Poppy, I dealt with agoraphobia for 6 months a few years ago. The only thing that helped me was a great psychiatrist and a wonderful therapist. I suffered terribly. After 6 weeks of seeing compassionate Dr's, I was a whole lot better in 6 weeks.Please find the right Dr, you don't have to suffer like this. In the mean time do as much relaxation as you can. One of the things my therapist had me do was go to Walmart for an hour and walk around when they wernt busy. Trust me I was scared to death. But I had to do something because I had kids at home and a husband. I forced myself to go and each time it got easier. Then he added to go out to eat by myself. I went into Wendy's and had chili. Next was a movie by myself. I did it but it was hard. The stress lessened and I was finally free of the agoraphobia. A good Psychiatrist and therapist will guide you in the right direction. The work to do this is worth it for you and your family. Blessings