Stress Center Peer Support

I suffer from severe anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and agorophobia. Does anyone else suffer from such severe agorophobia that it's hard for you to go out at all, even to the doctor when you need medicine? I know you have to go to the doctor for them to prescribe you medicine but what do you do when the agorophobia, anxiety, and panic is so bad you can't go to the doctor because the anxiety becomes so bad you get sick to your stomach and can't function?

Unfor there is no simple solution. The more we run from our fears the more it consumes us. I too suffer from agoraphobia and anxiety. However, I do go out and do as much as I can, even if it's only right down the street.

You are going to have to keep pushing yourself no matter how scary it is. I know that's tough. Some days you might not even make it out of the house, and that's o.k. Just increase your activity slowly. Even if it takes a month to go down the street, that's o.k.

Good luck.

Chris,
I have been there and done that. I couldn't even drive less than a half a mile to my moms house alone. I counted telephone polls to track my progress. The breathing exercises are crucial for you. I fyou are like me, you may find yourself holding your breathe as you make your away down the road. I found learning to breathe correctly not only lessened my axiety, but also provided a distraction for me. Give yourself grandiose praise for even the simplest task. You may also want to do something I did. I took out a notebook and charted my progress using a 1 to 10 anxiety scale. 1 being no anxiety and 10 being "throw out the anchor, I am having a panic attack". I will give an example.
Days) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
walking to the mailbox: 4 7 4 3 5 2 2
Drivng 1/2 mile: 9 5 7 8 4 4 3
If you need further help on this let me know. m.salyers@yahoo.com

Yes, I suffer with this as well. The thing that I have found that works is doing what you fear the most. It is soooo hard, I know. But, with doing that it gets easier. Two weeks ago I could not walk downstairs from my bedroom without getting major anxiety. I pushed my way through and now am out and about. I was at my psychiatrists office last night explaining I have a plane trip I have to take for work and honestly I cannot imagine doing this...she said you must not avoid or it will get worse. UGH!!! So, I know your pain....at a different scale right now. I hope for you the strength to move slowly forward as I move forward as well.

I feel for you. The doctor's office is about one of the only places I go now and it still gets me anxious. I don't drive - my husband takes me everywhere. I am hoping my therapist can help me as the psychiatrist was afraid to put me on too many new meds because in the past I have tried so many with some horrible side effects.

I just pray that everyday I will get better. I really need to be able to drive at least a couple of miles to at least get to my kids' schools if they need me - this is my biggest challenge right now. I am really working on this one!!

I pray you can get through this. I feel for you.

Blessings,
Leah

Chris,

I've been in a similar situation. At one point, I was completely housebound for a number of months. I was uncomfortable/panicky in my home, but I would not even consider stepping outside of my house.. it was just too scary at that time in my life. You are not alone in this. I know that it can feel like no one understands and that can feel so lonely, but you will get through it. It takes a lot of hardwork, but it is possible.

Going through the program is super important to recovery as it will teach you how to change behaviors that aggravate and cause your anxiety. In addition to the program you need to see a doctor. When I could not leave my home, I was blessed with finding a home doctor (took lots of research). He came to see me in my home every couple of weeks. Got me started on medication (which has been a godsend for me). Not long after, I started getting out of the house.. it was a slow process. First just getting out for a few minutes a day and I worked my way up to where I am now a year later. Working full-time and living fairly well.

I know it's really difficult, as I've been where you are right now. The good news is that this doesn't have to define the way you live your life. You get to choose..

Best regards!

Andreea

Yes, I've been that bad but I had to fight through it to get to the doctor. Once I started medication, I started to feel better...not right away but over time and then I could practice my skills.

chris,

There is hope! You can overcome agoraphobia no matter what. It takes alot of hard work and repetative behaviors. When I say "alot of work" I mean... ALOT OF WORK.

Are you willing to step outside your comfort zone to reach recovery?

If so, here is a link to a most helpful website that will teach you the babysteps
<A HREF="http://www.paniccure.com/" TARGET=_blank>PANICCURE.COM</A>

YOU CAN do it... I know because I have done it!

Once you see your symptoms are distressing but not dangerous and begin to allow yourself to accept those feelings and work through them WHILE stepping out, you will notice little by little you will begin to slowly increase your comfort zone.

You have been brainwashed to think that you are stuck and that something bad might happen... it's time to rewash your brain WITH TRUTH!

chris,

do you have a friend/spouse/family member that you can trust that could help you take the first steps?

when i first started having panic attacks back in march of this year, i was FMLA leave from work because of them, and would stay home all day obsessing about my anxious symptoms until my wife came home. i was so busy obsessing that i was too scared to leave my house.

when my wife would come home, i would force myself to go to the store, a restaurant (argh! i can still remember the tension and sweating while the resisting the urge to run. where? anywhere but here!), and even visit w/a friend or family member.

gradually, i got better.

now, i know that the program says about being your own safe person, and eventually if you keep working you WILL BE, but to get started, maybe a friend can help get you to leave the house and walk 1 or 2 houses down. And then celebrate your achievement!

You can do it!

You are too important not to.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. FAITHHOPE, how were you able to find a doctor who makes house calls in this day and age? I didn't think any doctors did that now. I have a doctor's appointment this Monday that I'm not looking forward to. I like my doctor but I hate the feelings I get from this anxiety and panic. It probably wouldn't be so bad if I didn't get light-headed, the nausea, or the upset stomach that makes me constantly have to go to the bathroom. That's what makes me get so anxious and panicky when I go out. I have decided one thing though...when, not if, but when I get over this anxiety I am going to do something to help other people in our situation. I would not be able to just sit back and let other people suffer like we have. Whether I have to write a book, start some sort of foundation, or whatever I will help other people like us and try and get people who have never had any of this understand what it is people like us go through. Thanks again for the replies.