scared again

[apayett24]

for a while there i was doing good i drove to the store and back first time in 5 years. but now i cant even get to the end of my road and you can see it from my drive way i don't want to have to be on med's last time i tried med's i cryed threw the night will i get better like able to go places again ? or is this it for me?

[Indigojoe]

One step forward 2 steps back.

What is the payoff for you to stay out of the car and away from the street?

You have some limiting belief that keeps you safely tucked away in the house. You can physically do this.

We all have good reasons in our mind for why we do the things we do. Some of the beliefs are not beneficial.

If you want to get in the car and go to the end of your driveway, you will.

Relax.

[Lkcox in reply to Indigojoe]

I feel the same way. drove today didn't think i would make it but i did

[Agora1]

Hi apayett, that was certainly a big step forward after 5 years and driving to the store. That's how it was for me as well. 5 years of being Agoraphobic and then learning how to function once more. Since I was weaned off my benzos while being stuck at home, I had to find new methods to use in order to get back my control. Like you, I didn't want to be on medication again. We both know how anxiety affects the Mind/Body. We somehow have to outsmart it's cunning way in trying to scare us.

For me apayett, it came down to proper Deep Breathing. I couldn't believe something so simple could be the answer. Of course I had gone through all the steps before that such as Acceptance being the foundation that allows us to go forward. Once we can understand and accept that these fears are coming from our subconscious and are not harmful, we can use other tools to go forward.

I practiced deep breathing multiple times a day and still do. Practice makes perfect. I got to the point of automatically deep breathing whether at home or in the car driving. You will be amazed in how deep breathing can get you through any traffic jam, shopping, restaurants, visiting etc. You cannot be nervous and be deep breathing at the same time.

Breathing properly cancels out the butterfly effect, that queasy stomach, that off balanced feeling. It's as close to a miracle that you'll get.

I hope this helps some. I've been where you are and now have the control back . My best xx

[apayett24 in reply to Agora1]

thank you so much

[Agora1 in reply to apayett24]

I'll hold your hand through this. One small step at a time. xx

[apayett24 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Agora1]

How is the breathing teqnique?

[Agora1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Chrispal07, sorry fell sound asleep watching tv

I think you will find this video on You Tube beneficial in

teaching you the proper way of deep breathing, better known

as Diaphragmatic Breathing.

"The Ultimate Relaxation Technique/How to Practice Diaphragmatic

Breathing"

"Breathe - 5 minutes can change your life" by Stacey Schuerman

Watch the ultimate one first. It's quick and demonstrates the proper

way of breathing whether sitting or standing. Once you get use to it,

it will be the key to relaxing you automatically. This is what I use. xx

[Cicinoodle]

Have you ever really identified what you are so scared of?

We all have fears, but sometimes we have to not let big bad fear take over our happiness.

It's time to live your dreams, life's too short to lock yourself up in those nasty fears.

[apayett24]

thank you