Isolated.

Hello. I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Anorexia, and eventually, Agoraphobia in my teens through twenties. I fought the agoraphobia hard to go to college. I completed my MA and suffered mental exhaustion. I work from home in a design-related field and I know how lucky I am to have that option. My professional contacts know I am a bit eccentric, but that's not unusual in my field. But the isolation with the agoraphobia is sometimes above my ability to cope. My mom is my only family. I have a couple of friends who keep in touch and can also sometimes get me out.

I am not, at this time, able to see a doctor. The doctor who treated me for fifteen years is five hours drive away and I can't drive. I just don't feel safe with anyone else at this time.

I don't expect answers. I'd just like to feel less isolated and hope this community will help me with that. I have found, in the past, that I find seeking help easier when I have a good support system. Which, my mom and friends are wonderful. But they have known me so long that they work around my agoraphobia and depression. Whereas I let it define me--wrongly so-- they accept me, as is.

I am sorry if this was too long. I know I need help for the depression and agoraphobia. Right now, though, I need people.

I wish you all peace in your day today. Thank you for listening.

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Yes I'll have a chat. I've suffered with depression and it is a nasty condition. In my case there was something specific making me depressed and I couldn't get round it.

Seems like you are quite resilient having endured through college so that's a good start, and you will always have that. Sounds like you don't mix much though - what about taking a walk around your local town/village I think that's a great thing to do, there are things to see and buy and more importantly other people, they cope ok don't they?

What about the local library for an hour or so eg on the computer, again there are people there and its a nice atmosphere

You American? can't see there's anyone here who calls their mum Mom - enjoyed the election by the way

Keep your expectations as low as you can and over time you will be content with very little - then you will have a lot !

Your last words mention peace, that sounds like a Christian to me, would that be true?

cheers

Rich