Agoraphobia is ruining my life

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Agoraphobia is ruining my life
24
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.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2003
Fri, 06-30-2006 - 8:18pm

Hi Sheri Ann,

I know agoraphobia feels like a life sentence, and that you will never conquer it... But, believe me, it isn't! The only thing that's stopping you is fear itself. When I started my recovery, I was kinda surprised to discover there were no big scary monsters out there, or bad things happening to me - Which is what I envisaged happening... Obviously, the fears had just built up in my head, until it seemed overwhelming. But, in reality, I learned that those "monsters" where just phantoms, and all I had to be afraid of was an emotion. That's it! Just a simple feeling inside of me - And the good news is, with exposure therapy, we can train ourselves to lose that fear, when we realise the object isn't harmful after all. Hope I made sense, anyway! I just thought I'd share what I learned from my recovery, in case anyone else finds it helpful. And another thing - I was surprised to discover the actual recovery process was no-where near as bad as I thought it was going to be. I had visions of it being terrible and awful - But in reality it seemed quite easy by comparison.

Blessings,

~Cherise.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sat, 07-01-2006 - 8:06am

Your words are helping alot.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2006
Wed, 07-19-2006 - 11:22am

Hi


Sorry haven't posted in awhile but things were crazy around here. D car breaks down. Can't get the pool clean, etc.


Anyhow, DH has been wonderful. I have seen my neighborhood like a hundred times. We drove to an adjoining one. Have made it inside every little store several time and actually "shopped". No crowds thro.


Yesterday, was a biggie for me so far. We went to the deli, he went to the other side so I was basically alone. I got money out of the ATM myself for the first time in ages and actually had to wait in line to pay for what I bought. So that was a biggie for me.


No slupee yet. Last time I went to 7-11 the machine was broke. lol.


How are you doing Sheri?


Gin

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Thu, 07-20-2006 - 12:50pm

Wow Gin!

Sheri Ann

Pages