Agoraphobia is ruining my life
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| Tue, 03-07-2006 - 3:01pm |
I'm sitting here crying as I type because I have so many things I need to do, so many places I need to go, and I am paralyzed by fear. I can't even get to my psychiatrist's office because of it. I don't have any medication to take that will make it even a little easier. I have Xanax, but it doesn't help worth squat.
My pets need to go to the vet, I think I have a couple of cavities and need to get to a dentist, and the list goes on. I can't even make the necessary phone calls because that freaks me out, too.
I'm nothing more than a pathetic bundle of nerves and I just really, really hate myself right now. I keep thinking that I could get things accomplished if I really wanted to, if I just pushed myself harder. It's not helping. Nothing is helping. I feel my life spinning out of control and it frightens me.
Please help.

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Welcome to
Sheri Ann
Hello & welcome to our caring community. You are NOT alone. Others, including myself could have written your exact post. When you decide that you don't want to live like this anymore, you will take some positive action to get help. I am sorry to say that we can't do that for you. It's almost like inertia sets in. It becomes just as frightening to face the changes you will have to make, as to do nothing & live with all these limitations. A catch 22 for sure.
Check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below for meditation, belly breathing & positive affirmations you can do yourself to face the fears. I am a firm believer in the small step approach. After 3 years of not getting behind the wheel of my car, I was able to slowly make progress. Giving myself a push & each day reaching a small goal just getting to the edge of feeling uncomfortable, but not panicking. It IS possible. YOU CAN DO IT!
Have you tried therapy? What about a support group? I know that it's difficult to get started, but it will get easier each time you make an appointment, then attend it. Give yourself lots of pats on the back for a job well done. Do you have a family member or friend you can confide in? Will they call for you or take you to the appointments? I have found that I don't like to let others down. If they come to pick me up, I don't change my mind or back out @ the last minute.
Please post often. We care about you & want you to feel better. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan
I think I will have to bite the bullet and ask someone to accompany me to my next appointment. I hate being dependent on others, hate being reminded that I'm not strong enough to go wherever I want to go. I guess swallowing a little bit of my pride is better than *this*. I know it is, but pride just has such a bitter aftertaste, you know?
I did explain, last appointment, that the Xanax wasn't working and he told me stop taking it. And that was that. I wasn't prescribed anything to replace it. Truth be told, I really dislike my psych. and would prefer to see someone else, but I know I'll obsess about the new psych., whether or not he or she will be better or worse and I'll have mentally constructed a ten-page list of all the various ways in which the new psych. will disappoint before I know it and will run through it over and over and over. I'm sure you know how this goes!
Thanks so much for inviting me to chat. I'll try to make it, though I'm rarely conscious these days past 8 pm. I'm also depressed. The anxiety and depression play into one another and I've been really tense lately, which means I've been very depressed. So I'm running extraordinarily low on energy and conk out not long after dinner. If I can't make it tonight, I'll try to make one soon. I would love to chat with a group of like-minded people and this seems like a very nice group. :-)
Thanks again.
Argh, that's just it, I'm sick and tired of living like this but feel like taking action is pushing a boulder up a vertical incline. I really don't want to spend another day in this mental torture chamber, it's that the fear really is that overwhelming. I feel better for having posted here, and your support and ideas have had a remarkable effect on my spirits. I'm feeling a little braver now. And I've told you about my difficulties and I would like to post here again, so I feel compelled to have good news the next time I post! I will. I will have good news, and it will be very soon.
>>>Check out our *coping tips & tricks* folder below for meditation, belly breathing & positive affirmations you can do yourself to face the fears.<<<
I will do that, pronto. It sounds like they would be very helpful.
Congratulations on your success! I think that is exactly what I need to do, break this down into manageable steps. It will take a while to get where I want to go, but better late than never, right? :-)
Thanks so much.
I just want to send out HUGS to you! I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time.
PLEASE post here and lean on us.. we are a great, welcoming, compassionate group. If you let us we will do our best to support and help you.
Most importantly.. YOU ARE NOT ALONE... remember that!
Choose to feel better!! GET HELP By a doc you can relate to!!
OR LIVE AS YOU ARE!!
It is real WORK getting over agoraphobia but doable!!
You need support throughout your healing GET IT!!!
Medication also helps slow you down mentally so you can
ACCEPT HELP!!
You are overwhelmed your brain is working too hard just to
keep up with your thoughts and anxiety!!
Find a DOC you LIKE one who makes you feel good!!
YOU will need the doc's support!!
YOU can do this YOU will feel better just get the help you need
THE WILL TO GET BETTER
A GOOD DOC YOU CAN RELATE TO
MEDS
That is what worked for me!! DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOURSELF!! HUGS!! Judy
How long have you been going to that doc? Anybody that would just tell you to stop taking Xanax needs to have his license removed!! First of all, do NOT stop taking amy meds cold turkey, there are a number of reasons for this. Second of all, most good therapists set one day aside or half a day aside to conduct phone consultations. They are usually a quick 15 minute free call so that you can basically "interview" the doctor, find out there areas of expertise or the therapies they specialize in. Maybe if you find one you connect with over the phone you will feel more of a drive and incentive to get there. I wouldn't want to go to a doc that seemed so insensitive to my feelings either. You may want to find one specializing in CBT (cognitive behavior therapy).
I wish you the best and like all the other's have said keep posting and try to stay positive. We are all here for you when you need us.
Andrea
Andrea
Hi all,
I know this is an older post but the situation fits me also. I am new to this board. I have basically been housebound for
I'm curious, have you talked to your grandmother's sister at all about this?
Sheri Ann
Hi,
that's a great idea about my aunt. I don't know her at all but I will ask my Dad to contact her and see if she will talk to me. All Ive been told is that supposely her family threw her into the car and took her to a support group and that's what started her recovery.
When my grandmother had it, it was not diagonised. I always thought she never left her house because she was obese and in ill health. She somehow overcame it to attend my wedding. The family was delighted as she never attended any of her own childrens or other grandchildren's wedding. She died just before my brother's but she was planning on attending.
Do you mind if I ask how long you have been housebound? I know you said you go the corner, how far is that? Were you able to go outside at all? Basically, I would like to know more about your situation. As sometimes, I feel like
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