agoraphobia

[karajadedoll]

hiii any tips with getting out of the house to exercise when extreme anxiety and agoraphobia prevent you to even walking out the door??

[moreless Administrator 7 stone]

Hi and welcome, karajadedoll

I suggest you speak to you GP about your anxiety and agoraphobia, if you haven't already and get some help. In the meantime, you can do plenty of exercise within the home. There are many DVDs you can get and plenty of ideas here nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/e... For extra motivation, join our Fit is Fun Club.

All of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best for 2020

[DartmoorDumpling Restart Feb 2024]

My only experience of agoraphobia was when my father got older, he had a major heart operation and somehow lost his confidence along the way. My mother used to drive him to a local park and he would walk around the cricket pitch, resting on each park bench in turn, gradually extending the distance each time they went.

,Perhaps you can walk to the nearest lamppost and back, and then the next and so on? Have you a dog to get you out and to divert your attention so you become less anxious? Maybe you can borrow one?

Read up on breathing techniques for relaxation...yoga perhaps?

[Clematisa1 Maintainer 1st 7lbs]

karajadedoll I was treated for agoraphobia many years ago - I think they now use ACT ...? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy though I had CBT and tablets... you could ask if your GP would get you to see a councelor - I had phone counselling at first as, like you, I couldn't leave the house. Have you read "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris? Or seen any of the work done by Dr Claire Weekes - she is long gone but she did a lot of work on "Agoraphobia" and I read her books and they helped explain a lot of what was happening to me. All the best and "recovery is always possible!" (Edit... Forgot to mention the tablets - Citalopram and then Mirtazapine 45mg - I was prescribed added to my weight gain and also made me very lethargic. )

youtube.com/watch?v=MKPs-tE...(Not working as expected?)

[Cat33 Restart Dec 2023 in reply to Clematisa1]

Snap !! I have just responded before seeing your reply

Oh Claire Weekes she is absolutey wonderful

I hope you are much better now it's such a horrible thing to go through x

[Cat33 Restart Dec 2023]

Welcome karajadedoll

I always recommend Dr Claire Weekes she has helped me and many others

Her books are available on Amazon she has one on agoraphobia

Her videos are on you tube she is a bit old fashioned now but the message and help is still brilliant she has been a lifeline to me

I have suffered so I know exactly what you are going through I found that before going over the doorstep was the worse thing Try going out a little bit each day do it slowly don't set yourself any difficult goals just trying to get round the block and back is fine and then build up Remember you can turn round at any time you want no one will notice

There is a good video on You Tube called Doctor Explains Panic Attacks by Dr Barry it's very reassuring

CBT is good and you can get phone appointments

The Dare Responce Book by Barry McDonagh is excellent

There are a lot of relaxation videos on you tube that will help you

I've suffered so if you ever want to chat I'd be more than happy

Wishing you all the very very best take care and tomorrow is the first day of your recovery xx

[Clematisa1 Maintainer 1st 7lbs in reply to Cat33]

Thanks Cat33 we are both on the same page with agoraphobia! It dogged me for years but I am a lot better now - still get butterflies from time to time but I am no longer confined to the house! Mindfulness and relaxation exercises at home can really help and being in the moment so that I am not crossing bridges! Good to chat to someone who has been there! Recovery is definitely possible - as I mentioned to karajadedoll

[Cat33 Restart Dec 2023 in reply to Clematisa1]

Lovely to chat to you too as if someone hasn't been in those shoes it's so hard to understand isn't it

I never got to the point where I stayed in as I had it when my son was 3 and I had to go out to playgroups then school etc It was very hard but when he started school I went and volunteered as I was so worried I'd stay at home all day it was wonderful and I got better but it was a struggle

I always remember there was this very hard faced mum that used to scare me a bit One day she came up to me and looked me up and down and said How come you are here all the time So I took a deep breath and told her I had agoraphobia With that she said Oh I have suffered from that and was the nicest person ever and was so lovely to me from that day on !

I've been on 2 Mindfulness courses and it's just so lovely isn't it to keep you in the moment and I love the relaxation videos on YouTube especially Michael Sealey

I'm so glad that you are better I wouldn't wish it on anyone x

[Clematisa1 Maintainer 1st 7lbs]

Must have a look at all the resources you have mentioned.