For Agoraphobic's

Shelly9 · Post by **Shelly9** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:39 pm

I just wanted to start something that everyone Agoraphobic can post there story or ways on how they are helping them selves just so it can help others.

I am Agoraphobic and have been since March, and it truly sucks. I miss everything, from going shopping to traveling. I was Agoraphobic last year from June to September... I had my first panic attack last year in July and im just scared of that feeling again. It seriously does not feel good. I try my best in taken baby steps going out but then i never really have time to go cuz my fiance works and when he is off its always a bad day for me. I am so sick and tired of this but then i fear medications, doctors, and just going far away from home... I dunno how to handle it anymore thou....

How do u guys deal with it? and i would love to hear your story...

Vero Stigma · Post by **Vero Stigma** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:15 am

well,i was never diagnosed with agoraphobia but i understand where you are coming from.i find fear in everything,and something that seems to help me is just let go,float,and flow with it!!,and i listen to the relaxation before,during and after the anxious episode!!you can never listen to it enough!!have you been through the program before?

Shelly9 · Post by **Shelly9** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:29 am

Yah im on the program right now. Barely on session 3. but keep on going back on Session 1 and 2 for review. just to lazy and depressed to work on it. and past week i been feeling worst.

pinkeetoz · Post by **pinkeetoz** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:04 am

What we fear, we create, because that's what our main focus is on. Also, behavior follows beliefs, what is your inner dialogue about? What are telling yourself?

Seahorse · Post by **Seahorse** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:06 am

Hi Shelly,

I too was diagnosed with Agoraphobic, as well as GAD and Panic Disorder. My world eventually shrank to my home. On my “trip” downhill, I stopped traveling, going to restaurants, theatres, shopping, basically everything, until one day (2 months ago) I could not go to work. I became housebound.

But now, with the coping skills I am learning with this program I am leaving the house, going to malls, restaurants, shopping, etc. It’s not easy though. Some days are good, some bad. But with the coping skills I am learning, I can recognize the bad days for what they are; know what I am feeling and positive self-talk myself into an okay day.

I know that this will take time, but, I am willing to give this program all I have to give.

When I do go out, I treat it as a test, not a challenge, or a must-do or I failed. I use the six steps if I feel anxious, and use a lot of positive self-talk. I also carry my flashcards with me for reassurance.

Yesterday was a great day for me. I called a coworker on Monday to get together for lunch. I almost called him twice to cancel. I read over my flashcards (Session 1 – 6), practiced my positive self talk and did the breathing.

I left the house early, had a nice leisurely walk to the restaurant, stopped at the bank, and then headed to the restaurant. Now normally, I would wait outside for my friend to show up. But before I even knew it, I walked into the restaurant and sat down. He was late of course, but I calmly sat there feeling only a small bit of anxiety. And guess what. I had a great time.

I know this is hard to hear, because I had a really hard time first time I heard it. You have to get out and face your fears. But, with the coping skills we are learning, it does get easier and easier. I didn’t believe that my panic attacks would ever go away. But when I realized that I was causing me to feel this way, I thought “If I am strong enough to do this to myself, I am certainly strong enough to control/stop them”. It was been at least a month since I have experienced an attack.

I hope my story helps in some way.

Shelly9 · Post by **Shelly9** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:25 am

thanxs all for your reply... i aprecciate it.

<span class="ev_code_RED">Seahorse</span> thats great the program is helping you, i pray and home it will help me too. but right now i just need to change my attitude, im stuborn in accepting n e help like right now i dont believe this program can help me even though it helped so many. and im just to lazy in taken out the program and listen to it, im better off doing something else. SO yah i know i seriously need to change my attitude. and im worken on that already.. But i hope soon i can reply on someone elses forum and tell them my accomplishment. im so happy for you that u got your self out there, i miss shopping and traveling so much, but i just fear that nothing can help me or that i will never overcome this.

But hey if u did it im gonna tell my self i can too...

Thanxs again everyone

LisaWoo · Post by **LisaWoo** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:11 pm

I'm so sorry to hear you're having the troubles you.

I have not been officially diagnosed with agoraphobia, but have come to realize that I'm fighting it.

There are times I'm okay and can function properly. But then something will set me off, and it's all I can do to get to work. I have, at times, found other reasons to call off, but now realize, I just couldn't go out. For about two months now, I fight every day to do what others take for granted. I thought I was just depressed, but it's more than that, anxiety too. Sleepy all the time. I feel so lazy. I don't think it's so much laziness, but that I'm overwhelmed with what I'm feeling. My mind is on overload.

The hard part for me is that we have two young children 4 & 6. Right now, there is nothing they would like more than to play outside, but I just can't bear to go out. I can't let them just play in our backyard, because we have some "less than desirable" neighbors and we try to minimize their exposure the their kids.

My husband is starting to understand what I've been going through. He didn't realize the half of it, still doesn't. After reading others' comments, it's been so reassuring that I'm not alone. I thought the feelings/thoughts/emotions I had were mine alone. Now I realize others have them too. That realization alone has been invaluable.

Can you make it out the door? Sit on the front step. Maybe early in the am when there aren't many others around. Enjoy the beauty of nature, the sunrise, etc...

Hang in there. You've taken the first steps. Keep going. You can do it. You will succeed.

You have a wedding to plan and go to!!!

Shelly9 · Post by **Shelly9** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:23 pm

<span class="ev_code_RED">Lisawoo</span> Thank you for your reply. I agree its great to know that others have the same feelings/thoughts/emotions I have. Just knowing im not alone on this is great. not great that we are going thru it but great that im not alone and going crazy. Well n e way to answer your question im able to go out the front door, i can even go to the neighbors, and Walmart 3 minutes away. but then traveling further then maybe 15 minutes away from home is my problem.... i know its my thoughts but then i just dont know how to change it and fix it all.

Allie3030 · Post by **Allie3030** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 1:17 pm

Agoraphobia has been a HUGE obstacle for me for the past year or so...and it still is some days. I used to be restricted to my house. My mom would have to go to the store to get things for me. And I would only go on the back porch. It was awful. All I did was sleep. My doctor put me on WAY too much medication, so when I was awake, I wasn't functioning. I made excuses to my friends as to why I couldn't go out (I was too embarassed to tell them what was going on at the time). I eventually stopped seeing that doctor and got my meds all figured out (for the most part) and as of today, i pretty much restrict myself to staying in my town. I usually don't like to drive for more than 10 minutes at a time, and some days even that is hard. But you'll start to notice over time that you've made a lot of baby steps. I look back to a year ago and then I look at where I am now, and I am amazed. I mean I'm not about to go back packing through Europe anytime soon, but you just have to TRY to keep a positive attitude. I know how depressing it is to feel like NOTHING will get better, and nothing will work to get you back to "normal", but believe me, it will. Just give it time. Be patient, be strong, And NEVER give up!

Gil24601 · Post by **Gil24601** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 2:13 pm

That was a very nice post. I am in the same boat with improvements all the time. You made me laugh when you mentioned "baby steps" as that was the technique used in a movie called "What about Bob"
Cheers! / Gil