leaving the house

[Panicfree]

does anyone else hype them selves to leave the house have a good feeling about it and then when it’s time freak out and not go?

[Anitabee]

maybe using headphones will work

[Panicfree in reply to Anitabee]

Thanks for the advice…. I usually have my air pods in. I made it out and went to go pick up my lunch. It wasn’t too far from the house but I made it and I drove!

[Agora1 in reply to Anitabee]

Anitabee, there were times when my anxiety was at it's worse that I

put my cassette in my apron pocket, air pods in and started the day.

Hearing the positive refrain from the relaxation tape allowed me to

function in a more positive mode. It worked. Now I make my tapes a

meditation before bed at night, mid day and again upon awakening. xx

[Agora1]

I use to have times where I was kind of hesitant in going out...but I learned along the

way whether it was a matter of pushing myself or just calling it a day.

We have to know when to draw the line or we can get into a cycle of backing off

which isn't good.

Calling a day off once in a while is okay. When mentally just not up to it. xx

[Panicfree in reply to Agora1]

I went out today for a short ride to get food. My boyfriend rode with me but I drove. So some progress. We will see about tomorrow 🙂

[Agora1 in reply to Panicfree]

Panicfree, great job This is how it starts, having someone going for the ride with you.

One day at a time. xx

[Panicfree in reply to Agora1]

I went for a solo drive around the block. I took a route that takes me by the grocery store it’s about 3 miles from the house. I was doing fine then I got to a red light and had a panic attack 😩 I calmed down after about 5 mins plus I was headed back to the neighborhood. I drive around the neighborhood fine but now I don’t want to leave anymore today 😔

[Agora1 in reply to Panicfree]

Panicfree, don't allow anxiety to win. It happens, this is when it's a good idea

to breathe your fear out. Start in practicing breathing exercises at home each

and every day until it happens automatically whenever you feel that fear revving

up. Familiarity will calm you down as you head for home. However, we can't

and won't allow Anxiety to dictate where we can go or not.

You did good today, you tried and that's a win.

When I drove for the first time after 5 years of Agoraphobia, I went to the

Dollar Shop. I took a cart, hung on and proceeded to walk down the aisles.

I didn't plan to stay long but I was feeling so good and so happy that an hour

and a half later, I left the store with bags of goodies lol I was proud of myself.

It had been a long time since I enjoyed being out. That was the start.

I'm proud of you. Now it's your time to relax. Tomorrow's another day.

Let's not worry about what may happen but rather what will not happen. xx

[Adlon57]

Yep do it all the time, usually look at my financial situation, make up a reason "Nah looks like rain?" sit down and do nothing for rest of day, which does not help me long run, I try the next day [but I know within me its not doing me any good, health wise, mental or physical, sitting around doing nothing], I'm retired, can only afford public transport [just about🙄] cannot walk much anyway, disabled, I am claustrophobic which does not help either, plain speaking I just need a good kick up the posterior, just to get me out, but get lazy, blaming, sometimes just rightly to get out, a bit of a mess all round🙄

[TattoosMakeMeCool]

happens to me a lot, I start sweating my heart racing and panic kicks in about every little thing. I have to sit in my car a/c on high to cool down. Then when I get to where I’m going it starts all over again then throughout only stopping when I get back in my car to head home

[jikreamer]

I have MDD that's not responding to meds. Getting out is one of the hardest parts about dealing with my depression. I have terrible brain fog which makes me feel confused, disoriented and spacey which is why I don't want to go anywhere. I have to force myself to go to grocery store, church, social events, family functions, etc. With that said...I don't want to shut down completely because I know that will only make things worse for me so I psych myself up and do it. Best of luck to you going forward. Hope is the anchor to our soul - Hebrews 6:19. I'm a strong Christian and scripture has gotten me through a lot.

[detour13]

yes i used to be like that many years ago.. you have to fight it .. the worst thing you can do is feed the beast . as panic as you get ( and i know its so hard) but u have to fight it .. it will get easier and easier .. trust me ..

go get a yellow happy face sticker and put it on your dashboard and tell yourself , as you go out i will and can so this .. and let the yellow happy sticker remind you ,, you can do this this !