*Ellie*

Is anyone else agoraphobic? I've always had tendencies toward it, but after a particularly bad month it suddenly became overwhelming and after a couple of weeks it became unbearable for me to go outside. I hate that I am so anxious/afraid/uncomfortable about doing things that other people wouldn't even think twice about, alongside the fact that I have always been very independent and able to do everything for myself. I feel like such a burden to my DH. He's being incredibly supportive, but I would be getting tired of it by now if I were him.

I guess I'm interested in knowing what other agoraphobics are doing as far as treatment and if you feel like you have made significant progress.

Also, do you feel like there are some places you are able to go without feeling too anxious? I am able to go to my parents' house or my therapist's office if my DH is with me. I guess those are my safe places?

Anyway, thanks for reading. I look forward to any responses.

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hopeless

Hm...well, I wouldn't call myself agoraphobic, but I do have some issues anyways. I get nervous about going places I'm not familiar with. Sometimes I'll avoid those places all-together. Or, I try to find out as much as possible about a place before I go.

For me, I think it's a matter of the unknown. I'm trying to just do it though. I tell myself that if I'm nervous because it's not familiar then the only way to fix it is to do it often enough that it's familiar to me.

KatrinaBeena

I have bouts of it but I don't know that I could call myself agoraphobic. I get highly anxious at times and just don't want to leave the house. If there's a lot of stress in my life -- issues with family or I'm really in a black mood over my weight -- I don't want to go anywhere. I've come out of it more since we had our son, but in college it got to the point where I was calling my proff's with excuses about being very ill because I just couldn't leave my house I shared on campus with some people. I'd hide up in my room. It was bad.

Just take small steps. Don't push yourself, but keep with therapy. Hopefully you'll be able to overcome it soon. Are you on any anti anxity meds? I was on Buspar years ago durring a rough time and it seemed to help.

There was a family situation that was rather strange that I won't go into detail about -- just don't want to bore anyone! -- but I was afraid to step outside, especially after dark. I was on med leave from work and everything else due to extreme paranoia. The Buspar really helped get me through that time. I'm not one to rely on medication but it did cause a drastic difference in my ability to cope with my anxiety about going out.

TickledPink

I'm sorry Ellie! (((((hugs)))))



The drugs I am on to control my dizziness are usually used for anxiety, so I really have been pretty calm since I started them! They are like ativan or valium, but slow release throughout the day.


Doctors don't like to prescribe it though cause they are addictive! They usually only want you on for less than a month, but I have been on it for 2 It really helps the dizziness though and alot with anxiety!

it's called clonazapam if you want to ask the doc about it!


Have you talked to your doc about treatments etc?



(((((hugs)))))

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DX: Sept/03 Me 31 & DH 35
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PCOS: Metformin 1500mgs daily(Oct/03).
Rapid Cycling Bi-Polar Type II: Effexor 225 mgs, .5mgs clonazapam, and 900mgs Lithium daily. litebook therapy(Dec/04).
Meniere's Disease:
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16mgs Serc and 10-20mgs Metoclop

*Ellie*

Thanks for the responses.

Jay, I'm taking Wellbutrin (for depression) and Paxil (for anxiety) and I'm in therapy. I feel like all three are very helpful, but my progress feels so slow.

Thanks for the hugs. I needed them!