Agoraphobia

[Ismiki]

I've suffered from this on and off for about 30 years. Am currently stuck in the house and have been for about 18 months. Not only do I not get out and about, but fear people coming over as well. Now it's to the point of being more than uncomfortable on the phone. In my opinion, agoraphobia is a "learned behavior" stemming from panic attacks. I know I've beaten this before(but not panic attacks) but have forgotten how. Anyone else?? Thanx

[Beevee]

Read Essential Help for your Nerves by Dr Claire Weekes and practice her 4 principles of facing your fears, accepting come what may, floating past [relaxed attitude] and letting time pass.It isn't people you fear, you fear the feelings of fear and letting a harmless feeling dictate your life. Call its bluff and get out there. That is the only way to overcome fear. Face it.

Best wishes ❤️

[secrets22]

I can only sympathise as i know that feeling so well of not leaving the house, I spend countless days on my own and i am nervous and scared of everything, and i used to be so outgoing but now i am an absolute wreck, afraid of my own shadow. So much so i cant wait to go to bed,and i do go to bed ridiculously early not that i sleep terribly well, but i feel safe in my bed. Its horrid.

[Agora1]

Oh I so understand Ismiki your battle with Agoraphobia. I lost 5 years of my life

as a prisoner in my own home. Feared everything. Any noises or sounds set my anxiety

high. Didn't want people to come over. Couldn't be on the phone or answer the doorbell.

It took a while to figure out what I was afraid of. Why had fear taken over my life?

I, Agora1, had given too much power to Panic/Anxiety Attacks. I thought they could

harm me. That is until I referred back to Dr. Claire Weekes theory on acceptance.

Accepting that anxiety was a bluff coming from a lie in my subconscious mind. The more

I focused on those lies, the more frightened I became.

When I finally had enough of this hiding from living a full life, I started to get out.

Small steps at first and then with the success I saw and felt, the steps became larger.

Dr. Weekes was so right as I started to get well, my attacks dwindled. I was seeing

that I was just existing and not living for 5 years.

In working on myself, I got to my goal. LIfe is now amazing as I live and love each

day I'm alive. We have choices in life and when we are ready and the time is right

for you, you will make that right choice. Life is Good Ismiki xx

[LoveforAll41]

I think it was in a therapy appointment or perhaps a podcast, but it was pointed out that talking over the phone eliminates our ability to read body language. They say that body language is some high percentage of communication, so it makes sense that talking over the phone gives us anxiety! I have found that for me validating my emotions and understanding where they come from make them much easier to accept and face. I have found that to be true for my fears of failure, financial ruin, avoidance behaviors, etc. ☮️

[Agora1 in reply to LoveforAll41]

For me LoveforAll, talking on the phone comes from a feeling in having no

control. How do I end the call, sometimes feeling trapped and keep on talking.

Before long, I would be holding my breath and the feeling of anxiety would rise. xx