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Default Apr 08, 2019 at 09:26 PM
  #1
Hello, I have chronic anxiety, bipolar, depression and now agoraphobia.
I wonder if someone here can relay to what I am going through. I can be in a social situation, but my problem is how to get there. Once I am talking with someone or a group of people, even the ones I just meet, I am fine.
But getting out of my house is my big issue.

I am in a very bad place right because of severe anxiety that developed in Agoraphobia. I am not leaving my house alone for the last five months. I am going back to therapy in a month. I am so afraid to go outside, drive, even getting the mail become so difficult. I am very aware of my situation, in treatment for years with very good Psychiatrist and Therapist. I just stuck myself this last winter, unable to move forward. My Psychiatrist changes my medications dose, but still, I am not getting any better. It is complicated because I need to come back to therapy but I am not because of the fears of driving and being outside. I really need some encouragement. Thank you for reading. The best for all of you. Hugs

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Default Apr 08, 2019 at 09:32 PM
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Maybe taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft might be helpful. Then you are not alone except going out to the car.
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Default Apr 08, 2019 at 10:12 PM
  #3
Nemo, what a great idea! I live in the suburbs, so paying a taxi, Uber is not something I can do often. Still is a way out!

If I was living in a City I am sure I will be going out. It is the big open spaces that I am afraid of, it is something that I believe has to be over soon. It was the winter, the isolation I put myself into, last so long, so now it is like starting all over. My husband is taking me everywhere. It is not fair for him. I am going to work really hard to overcome this. But it is an illness no something you just make it up. That I know for sure.

Thank you for your suggestion. Let me know that I am not alone. Hugs

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Default Apr 09, 2019 at 07:40 AM
  #4
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Originally Posted by hope2010 View Post
Nemo, what a great idea! I live in the suburbs, so paying a taxi, Uber is not something I can do often. Still is a way out!

If I was living in a City I am sure I will be going out. It is the big open spaces that I am afraid of, it is something that I believe has to be over soon. It was the winter, the isolation I put myself into, last so long, so now it is like starting all over. My husband is taking me everywhere. It is not fair for him. I am going to work really hard to overcome this. But it is an illness no something you just make it up. That I know for sure.

Thank you for your suggestion. Let me know that I am not alone. Hugs
I have very bad anxieties can cause a lot of problems I also have agoraphobia .What u can try is this if you can put one foot out the door until you feel comfortable,Then see if you put both feet out the door.It may help some.It helped me to get outside and sit .A couple of years ago I wouldn t be caught dead sitting outside.My late husband use to take me everywhere.I have a hard time just getting into a car then have to go somewhere ugh.I would much rather be at home.
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Default Apr 09, 2019 at 02:43 PM
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I have very bad anxieties can cause a lot of problems I also have agoraphobia .What u can try is this if you can put one foot out the door until you feel comfortable,Then see if you put both feet out the door.It may help some.It helped me to get outside and sit .A couple of years ago I wouldn t be caught dead sitting outside.My late husband use to take me everywhere.I have a hard time just getting into a car then have to go somewhere ugh.I would much rather be at home.
Thank you so much Your suggestions mean a lot to me. Also, thank you for sharing with me what you have done to get better.

Right now, I will do it! I am going to drive to the supermarket. I have a short list so I will have to put my one foot out of the door and keep going.

Writing here already give me so much hope. I am not alone. Thank you so much!

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Default Apr 09, 2019 at 03:56 PM
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Thank you so much Your suggestions mean a lot to me. Also, thank you for sharing with me what you have done to get better.

Right now, I will do it! I am going to drive to the supermarket. I have a short list so I will have to put my one foot out of the door and keep going.

Writing here already give me so much hope. I am not alone. Thank you so much!
I did it, just come back. I didn't have a panic attack. The problem is that after coming back my brain can't stop thinking. Racing thoughts that are more than just thinking fast. I am bipolar and now I am into a mild manic episode because the racing thoughts are not stopping. The only thing that helps me is medication.

But I did go to the supermarket!

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Default Apr 10, 2019 at 08:13 AM
  #7
I have the same thing. I cannot leave the apartment unless someone accompanies me, especially my husband (I feel most comfortable being out with him). I have agoraphobia, avoidant personality disorder, generalized and social anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder. Those are my diagnoses, anyway. I feel absolutely trapped in my apartment and completely alone, even when I'm with people. I feel like I'm different and they couldn't possibly understand. I just wish that I had someone as a friend who also goes through this.
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Default Apr 11, 2019 at 06:33 PM
  #8
I have schizoaffective/bipolar and really bad anxiety as well. I'm similar with the social situations, once I'm talking to someone I'm okay but I have such a hard time leaving the house, I have anxiety just about sitting at the picnic bench a few feet away from my apartment. I've had times in my life where I'd stay inside for months. It has t been that bad lately but I still seriously struggle with leaving the house at all. And I want to. I want to be able to spend an hour or so out reading or going to do something but it's hard to actually do it

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Default Apr 13, 2019 at 02:48 PM
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I have the same thing. I cannot leave the apartment unless someone accompanies me, especially my husband (I feel most comfortable being out with him). I have agoraphobia, avoidant personality disorder, generalized and social anxiety, depression, and borderline personality disorder. Those are my diagnoses, anyway. I feel absolutely trapped in my apartment and completely alone, even when I'm with people. I feel like I'm different and they couldn't possibly understand. I just wish that I had someone as a friend who also goes through this.
Hello, I am sorry you are going through the same situation I am right now. Well, have been going on and off for years. I have the same feelings you described, trapped at home by my own chronic anxiety. I only go out with my husband, bless his heart.

You are not alone, feel free to contact me at any time. Hugs

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Default Apr 13, 2019 at 02:51 PM
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I have schizoaffective/bipolar and really bad anxiety as well. I'm similar with the social situations, once I'm talking to someone I'm okay but I have such a hard time leaving the house, I have anxiety just about sitting at the picnic bench a few feet away from my apartment. I've had times in my life where I'd stay inside for months. It has t been that bad lately but I still seriously struggle with leaving the house at all. And I want to. I want to be able to spend an hour or so out reading or going to do something but it's hard to actually do it
I am so glad to see that I am not alone. I want to be able to spend hours outside my house like normal people do without even have to think about it. I still have hope. I hope one day there will be better medications to help us, a better way to cope with Agoraphobia. Meantime please let all keep in touch and see how we are doing.

We are not alone. Hugs and Love!

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Default Apr 14, 2019 at 07:27 AM
  #11
I've had GAD for about a year and it's awful! I have trouble driving anywhere, and panic when I go shopping. I go anyway, and I drive to therapy appointments, but it's SO difficult. I feel best at home but I am anxious alone also. I totally understand your predicament! I have been
on an antidepressant (Celexa) but it hasn't helped so I'm getting off it. Anxiety is not fun at all! Hugs!
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Default Apr 14, 2019 at 02:25 PM
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I've had GAD for about a year and it's awful! I have trouble driving anywhere, and panic when I go shopping. I go anyway, and I drive to therapy appointments, but it's SO difficult. I feel best at home but I am anxious alone also. I totally understand your predicament! I have been
on an antidepressant (Celexa) but it hasn't helped so I'm getting off it. Anxiety is not fun at all! Hugs!
Thank you for sharing, means a lot to me. Yes, anxiety is not fun at all.

I was driving to therapy with a lot of fears until four months ago. Then the depression hit me badly, I started new medications, new doses, all changed. I got to the point of can't get out of my house alone.

Last week, after writing here I went out, I drove, I walked around the neighborhood. But that was it.

I will try again tomorrow. I set it as my priority. It is as you said so, so difficult.

I hope we keep in touch. Hugs

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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 02:50 PM
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I am in big trouble. Today I have to buy many things from the supermarket. I will have to drive there. We all talk here about how difficult it is to get out of our house. Now I have no choice.
I can't stand being like this, the rest of the world keeps moving, going out without having to think one second about it and here I am paralyzed for a simple thing to do ...

I wish to have a friend that lives close to me so we can go together until I am better, but that is not my reality. Also, the sooner I face the truth that I some point I will be all alone and nobody to bring me food, take me out, etc. the better I will be. I am so afraid that is ridiculous but it is not for me.

At least I know for this post that I am not alone in my journey. If you pass by, leave me a comment. I will appreciate it very much, indeed.
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 06:50 PM
  #14
I could have written your post! I feel the same way. I panic when I have to go out, especially to a store. I do it but can't wait to get home. I get light-headed and shaky inside. Often I feel pressure in my head too. The weather is changing and my allergy symptoms complicate things. I never had agoraphobia before!

So, did you go? How was it?
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 07:24 PM
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Many grocery stores deliver now, thru apps like Shipt. I think we are aging in very fortunate times, that such resources are generally available.
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 07:33 PM
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Many grocery stores deliver now, thru apps like Shipt. I think we are aging in very fortunate times, that such resources are generally available.
Off topic.. But Lee Van Cleef is my favorite western actor.
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 07:51 PM
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Off topic.. But Lee Van Cleef is my favorite western actor.
I know, right?? I think i finally raised my self-esteem enough to admit THATS who i want for my avatar. Not so off-topic, i was thinking, now i leave the house when i - lee van cleef! - want to, and i dont worry about not meeting someone else's standards. Even if it means i miss funerals.
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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 08:41 PM
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I could have written your post! I feel the same way. I panic when I have to go out, especially to a store. I do it but can't wait to get home. I get light-headed and shaky inside. Often I feel pressure in my head too. The weather is changing and my allergy symptoms complicate things. I never had agoraphobia before!

So, did you go? How was it?
I did go to the supermarket! I drove there, once I am inside I am not afraid at all, but I do want to come home as soon as possible. But many times like today, I want to stay longer, just look around, walk and wishing I can go other places no just the supermarket. I am very hard on myself. Still working on that part of me too. Sighs.

So, that is the very good news, I also went busy cooking chicken stroganoff. Now I am here happy to see your message, we are not alone!

I think having a small goal each day is helping me.

The big problem will be, as you said so, drive to my therapist clinic. It is located half an hour from my house, I have to drive on the highway that is really difficult for me.

How are you feeling when you know the night before that you will Have To get out and drive? I got anxious, catastrophic thoughts. I hope you don't have them.

I will be around, hugs

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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 08:48 PM
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I know, right?? I think i finally raised my self-esteem enough to admit THATS who i want for my avatar. Not so off-topic, i was thinking, now i leave the house when i - lee van cleef! - want to, and i dont worry about not meeting someone else's standards. Even if it means i miss funerals.
Well, I respect your wishes for not leaving your house whenever you feel like. You can do whatever you want. I salute you

Now, my problem here, in this post is overcome Agoraphobia.

For that reason, for me, it is important to get out of my house. Face my fears, and go out!

I feel terribly isolated from my own mind. It is hurting my quality of life. My goal is to be able to come back to therapy. All these should be me driving, I can call a taxi, but that is not the point.

Anyways, you put a smile on my face lee van cleef fan girl. Thank you for stopping by, hugs

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Default Apr 16, 2019 at 08:59 PM
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I did go to the supermarket! I drove there, once I am inside I am not afraid at all, but I do want to come home as soon as possible. But many times like today, I want to stay longer, just look around, walk and wishing I can go other places no just the supermarket. I am very hard on myself. Still working on that part of me too. Sighs.

So, that is the very good news, I also went busy cooking chicken stroganoff. Now I am here happy to see your message, we are not alone!

I think having a small goal each day is helping me.

The big problem will be, as you said so, drive to my therapist clinic. It is located half an hour from my house, I have to drive on the highway that is really difficult for me.

How are you feeling when you know the night before that you will Have To get out and drive? I got anxious, catastrophic thoughts. I hope you don't have them.

I will be around, hugs
A thousand times YAY for going out! I was thinking about you today as I debated in my mind whether I should go out for a walk. I didn't. But I looked out the windows.

You guys are definitely not alone...agoraphobia can come in waves. It was very severe for me 20 years ago. Now I understand it as an anxiety that has grown to a point where it takes over logic. Kind of like you are on a tight rope and you have "whatever you do, don't look down!" repeating in your mind. You might even close your eyes. Then one day open them, look down, and the ground is just inches away after all.

Last weekend I had to go to a mall. At all times I avoid malls. I made my husband take me and I really wanted to just order the thing I needed online. Anyway...we went. I bought the thing. And then 2 days later when I tried it on, it was the wrong size. UUUUUUGGGHHHHHH. I actually considered not saying anything, and not doing anything about it. Then I looked online (where I normally shop) and thought about just buying a new one in the right size. My husband wound up taking me again...I literally said, "Bye (store), see you never again."

LOL. It sounds crazy. But this is the struggle. Right? Something fritzy in us that is powerful. But we are even more powerful.

Small goals. Small things to prove to ourselves that we can. It doesn't mean we always will. But it means that compassion and acceptance are the keys to getting outside...


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