Medications

[Irishmexi35]

I take czlonapin for my panic attacks and generic Prozac for my chronic anxiety and depression ive been on those since ive been 19 , its helped me cope but anytime they attempted to adjust my meds i fell into a pit and had to work myself out of a rut for several weeks , my aproach has been attempting to busy myself and be as productive as i possibly can taking the little victories like taking the trash out showering dressing , doing a light work out handling what errands im capable of and most of all praying , creating order and only taking in positivity has really seemed to help ease up the chronic panic and worry because at least in my heart of hearts i know im doing the best I can even if no one else notices or sees it that way , having Angoraphobia honestly feels like a jail sentence i guess im just trying to find a way to do my time in peace if im going to have to do it

[Agora1]

Hi Irishmexi, Agoraphobia may very well indeed feel like a jail sentence. One thing we

must remember is that we do hold the key to the jail door. Until we realize that we alone

can release ourselves at anytime once we are ready to walk free once again.

Small steps are the answers. Not staying stuck in a cycle of fear begets fear. Shaking or

not, legs feeling like jello still allow us to go forward one small step at a time.

It's the only way to free ourselves. xx

[CatsandCheese in reply to Agora1]

Thank you for all you contribute here. Thank you for caring. Thank you for helping.❤️

[Irishmexi35 in reply to Agora1]

What are some of the small steps you took , what did your daily schedule look like when you were pushing yourself thru and working thru it?

[Agora1 in reply to Irishmexi35]

Irishmexi, my path was so slow because the fear was so intense. I had never even put my

head outside the door to get my mail. That was the first step.. Opening the front door

was a first and big step for me. I had to know what was out there that I was so afraid

of. Opening the door and getting the mail proved to me that not only could I do it but

the fear wasn't outside. It was deep inside of me if that makes sense.

This isn't an overnight success but a day by day win. From getting my mail to sitting

on the porch, from sitting on the porch to walking to the garage. From getting in my

car after 5 years and just sitting there. From starting the car and going no where.

From moving the car to the end of the drive to get the feeling of normalcy. All this

took days. Finally the day came that I drove the car around the block and it felt

freeing. A couple days later, I planned my first trip to the Dollar Tree Store. Remember

I hadn't been out in 5 years. I have always done these steps alone. I used my breathing

exercises to relax my mind and body. Got to the store. Was surprised in how much

had changed around me during the drive there.

Walked in the all familiar store, grabbed a cart to hang on to. I felt if I could just be

there a few minutes, it would be a win.

However, an hour and a half later, my cart almost filled, I left the store with bags of

all my little treasures. I had won. I had kicked anxiety to the curb. Maybe just for the

moment, but I did it. From that day on, I took more steps. I finally realized that the

prison I had proposed was within my mind, not the stores. I could write a book on

what it was like and how long it took but then, it was my story. Each one of us is

different in what we are dealing with. I used YouTube as my crutch to lean on.

Listening to every video that pertained to agoraphobia and intense fear and how to

concur it. Dealing with the situations in our lives must be addressed or the "key"

doesn't work. I will stop for now but this is only the beginning my friend. xx

[Irishmexi35 in reply to Agora1]

What youtube videos did you follow?

[Agora1 in reply to Irishmexi35]

Irishmexi, it's not a particular video on YouTube but ones that had to deal with

what I was going through. Each one of us responds differently in searching for

what we need. Unless we agree and respond as well as practice what we learn

it doesn't work.

There is no magic subject, no magic wand, Remember as long as your life is

in chaos it's like swimming upstream. xx

[CatsandCheese]

I understand. Been dealing with similar. You are not alone. Thank you for having the courage to make your post. I know it will help others. You are valuable. 🫂

[No_Longer_Human]

I'm so sorry. You're so strong. It's so hard. I'm trying to adjust and lessen my medications against my will (i can't work and mom said i either work or get a disability status and for disability status i have to go through this shitty hospital and they want to stop my meds and only put me on sertraline) and im nauseous and anxious as hell. Im also agoraphobic and i feel like im jailed, my mom is so jealous im home but im a prisoner. I tried to go out but i end up overwhelmed, i need my meds and i can't get them. It's so painful to change medications. Im nauseous and my head hurts. I've been on them since 17-18. Taking out the trash is really hard. You are a warrior and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

[CatsandCheese in reply to No_Longer_Human]

Med changes can be a living nightmare. 🫂

[No_Longer_Human in reply to CatsandCheese]

It is 😭🫂

[Irishmexi35 in reply to No_Longer_Human]

Are you able to communicate with your ma at all and do you feel like she understands the magnitude of your mental health struggles? Also you are a warrior as well and you are strong , thank you so much for your positive energy and vibes

[No_Longer_Human in reply to Irishmexi35]

Thank you. You too. I don't think she understands, she thinks she understands but it just gets worse. And i can't stand my ground. Actually against her I don't think even people with self-esteem wouldn't hold long