Agoraphobia

[kelli333]

I have severe agoraphobia, I can't leave my room. I'm lonely and depressed with constant anxiety. I can't drive because I get a panic attack. I'm just so tired of my life. I feel like I have no fight left in me.

[Connortyu7]

Being lonely is the worst especially for over thinking just get your self stuck in a vicious circle I hope you feel better soon

[kelli333 in reply to Connortyu7]

Thank you for your words of encouragement.

[Hidden]

Hi Kelli,

I truly can't imagine what you're going through. I had a close friend back in high school who had severe agoraphobia....it was a never ending battle being her and I fought extremely hard to protect her and make her feel whole. She suddenly stopped showing up to school. A member of the school system showed up to her house and her mother would lie for her saying that she's just sick at home, then after a month of being "sick", I decided to go see her, I knocked..no answer, the TV is on but no one answering the door.

I'm looking through her bedroom window and she's in there, she sees me knocking and she won't budge.

Long story short, I couldn't help her........I couldn't save her.

That's over 20 years ago.

Hopefully..maybe now I can be here for you.

[kelli333 in reply to Hidden]

Absolutely, I would love to be friends, I could use the support. I'm sorry about your friend. Don't blame yourself. Friend me, I'd love to talk. Take care.

[Vbee]

Can i please suggest that you buy/download the book The DARE response by Barry McDonagh. It shows you step by step how to recover from anxiety. And there is an app and 2 facebook pages that are so supportive. If you do just ONE thing to help yourself, do this.

[kelli333 in reply to Vbee]

You are the second person to recommend them. So I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the advice. Take care.

[Cat33]

So sorry but I promise you it can be overcome Please look for DARE by Barry McDonagh and books by Dr Claire Weekes she was the most amazing doctor and her words are so comforting and she writes as if you are sitting next to her Barry McDonagh refers to get her a lot you can buy them online start with those and then you will get the motivation and strength to start going out and get your life back Both writers suffered so they speak from experience and understand the struggle

There are relaxation videos for agoraphobia on You Tube No matter how ill you are now you can recover

I wish you all the very best for your recovery you can do it xx

[kelli333 in reply to Cat33]

Thank you, I will check them out. Take care.

[Cat33 in reply to kelli333]

Please do Dr Claire Weekes did a book on agoraphobia and it got me well xx

[Pearwig]

When I was suffering from depression a few years ago, I felt unsafe getting out of bed. I even wet the bed once because I felt that I wouldn't go to the bathroom. I had to take medication, so I hope you are in touch with your doctor. I had telephone counselling, much of which used worksheets at getselfhelp.co.uk (or .com, my memory is not great). What helped most, though, was the support of my family and friends, one of whom is now my second wife. (Divorce from my first wife was a major trigger of my breakdown). If you feel that you are not close to family and friends, ring 111 for appropriate caring agencies in your area. Most of all, convince yourself that YOU WILL GET BETTER, and that IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, it is an illness, from which you will recover.

[kelli333 in reply to Pearwig]

Thank you for your advice. It makes me hopeful to hear stories of people getting better, I hope I am too. Take care of yourself.

[steven14]

I to was like that for years but I made myself do some steps every day now I go on holiday abroad and enjoy my life you can overcome this just take it slowly each day focus on you not what is around you

[valentin77]

Hi Kelli,

This is Joe from London.Felt touched by your feelings that sound so low and hopeless I felt compelled to respond.

I have mental health problems including anxiety,panic disorder and agoraphobia. I was lucky to spend my whole life and career with no problems but late in life I became agoraphobic with panic.I was a consultant psychologist for many years so ironic that I am now my own patient!

You are very welcome to communicate with me.At one point I could not leave my apartment and shut the door,and this was before going out the main door of the building.

Now,I am hugely improved but rather like an alcoholic it is always there.The effect of any illness that prevents you leaving your home is massive.You have the awful illness itself,(in our case anxiety,panic,fear of going out)AND you have all the many many problems of being housebound.Depression,worry,loneliness,awful awful awful.It is almost pointless to live like this.

However I must offer you some ray of sunshine peeking through the dark heavy clouded sky.

There are treatments,therapies and cures and all manner of support while you are trapped at home in your room.

And these will ease you out of your negative negative state and start the success of healing.Agoraphobic no more!

Even a quick self administered treatment such as E.F.T.which is easily learnt from the Internet has cured many like magic.I use it every day,it did not cure me but it is one of my many many techniques that help.

Always ready to talk,Joe

[kelli333 in reply to valentin77]

I'm glad you understand. I am trying to fight back but you're right it's always there. I would be happy to correspond with you. Friend me.

[valentin77 in reply to kelli333]

Yes,I will try and friend you,I just need to find the right button to click.

[Hidden]

No, you can leave your room no one is stopping you, only you.

It won't get any better until you learn coping mechanisms for when the panic comes and you push yourself to do something you don't want too.

You can change your life starting today, no ifs or buts, you can, it's down to you.

Be brave....... It will be a long hard battle but you'll stay this way till you do conquer it.

[kelli333 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your advice. I am trying exactly that. Take care.

[Lynl]

I am so sorry u are dealing with this, but this is very fixable 😊, it may feel debilitating , but not serious , so know in your mind that this is no fun and take it step by step , sit in your yard, walk 2 houses down , 3 houses down, the end of the street, go to a park , little by little and fight it because in all reality you are going to start having fun before you know it and have a phone and a friend or family member with you for support . Talk to a professional also , Love Hugs and prayers. Keep in touch

[kelli333 in reply to Lynl]

Thank you for the advice. I am slowly exposing myself to things that make me anxious. Take care

[Lynl in reply to kelli333]

You will be so happy when you break the barriers that hold you back , one by one. You will do it. I know it sound like a lot of people , but , what about a health club like Planet fitness or fitworks.? That's a stress reliever .

[anne1964]

Hi there...... I suffered with agoraphobia for quite some time after a break down, I had panic attacks all day long at home so I totally understand!

But with time I have come out of that so I'm just replying to give you some hope that you can overcome it and have a normal life again.

Baby steps... wishing you all the luck and love in the world.

Ker

[kelli333]

Thank you for the hope!

[Hidden]

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