Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
Yes he was the most help I've had since my mental breakdown.
It was more medication advice. He is basically as qualified as you can be in this field.
He has advised me to up my Citalopram to 30mg and put me on Pregabalin for a month. Also told me to not fear taking diazapam as I won't get addicted in the short term.
He also told me in the nicest way possible that this is my fault for coming off my tablets last year. Basically last year I was in the best mental health state of my life so I decided to come off the tablets. Big mistake. That's when things happened.
So it's a case of getting this medication back into my system. The road to recovery is long but I think I can finally see some light at the end of this horribly dark tunnel.
My dad is taking my back with him to Cornwall on Wednesday so I will hopefully start going outside in the quiet countryside there fingers crossed.
These new tablets are making me feel drunk/stoned though.
He has been the most helpful since this happened. Better than CBT. I've cancelled my CBT infact.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
flossie - I agree with making small steps - today took dog out (early morning when no-one around) just down the road by self before he had his proper walk with hubby. I just made myself go. Like I said on my other post I feel as if I have so few coping skills though - I literally fling myself into it and hope for the best x
ps thanks for the link about no panic :) I hope it works well for you - I have a book about tackling agoraphobia using cbt and I am aiming to work through that. I just wish I felt I had some coping skills to fall back on.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
little wren: please give some serious thought to trying the help through No Panic.
They will teach you the skills you need to cope with going out. The nice thing compared to a book is that you have the feedback and support from the group leader and the others in the group who are facing their own difficulties. The group leader will have been through similar problems as you so will completely understand your anxieties. They will understand the need to take recovery slowly and you would be able to talk about your next steps. Having a voice on the end of the phone, understanding and giving encouragement is very helpful during times of confusion on how to tackle recovery and making forward steps.
The most important part to recovery for me are the breathing and relaxation exercises. Do you spend a part of your day listening to a relaxation CD and reminding yourself how to breathe properly?
Well done for taking the dog out this morning. Just enjoy the feeling of being out, do it because you want to rather than need to.
It took me a long time to accept that as an agoraphobic I could make going out either the most horrendous experience or fun. I have chosen the fun option. My problem is still there but how I tackle it is up to me. I now view it as a challenge to be relished and each time I go out, usually with the dog, I look at it as an adventure. I have days when I'd rather not go out but I do, maybe for just a short walk and because I am becoming used to taking more notice of what is around me on my better days it becomes a habit even when it is a rough one. This is when the breathing exercises help so much. You can't panic when you are relaxed.
Keep thinking small steps. Build up the foundations for moving on to a wider comfort zone. Have faith in yourself. We are all so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
Thank you so much flossie for your kind words. I think it would be easier with the support too. I am hoping I will get onto a CBT list with a clinical psychologist locally but I know they are inundated. If they say no then I think giving the telephone cbt a try may be helpful.
You are so positive - I know how hard it is to keep pushing yourself so you don't slip backwards. I love that you view it as a challenge - a chance to use your breathing techniques. Thanks for the positive words - I really needed to hear them.
little wren x
ps I gave up on my relaxation cd but I may start on it again - perhaps it is practicing to relax the body so the brain gets feedback that all is well.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
Today is going to be fun. After almost a month of being agoraphobic, my dad is taking me back to his house to look after me. That's a 4 hour journey from Cardiff to Cornwall. I'm having difficulty even him driving me up the road to the doctors.
Not sure how I'm going to manage this one.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
How are you doing Steveo?
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
Still haven't gone! Waiting for a prescription to be filled in at my doctors surgery!! Meant to be done yesterday!
So still sat here all packed up with my dad, anticipation increasing about being on the road for 4 hours!
Can't even plan my diazapam in time as I don't know when the doctors will be ready!! So annoying and increasing my tension unnecessarily!
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
the comforting thing is that you are with your dad to be looked after. I know what your feeling as I live in Glasgow and often feel like this when I visit family in Mnachester. Take water, books, magazines,crosswords, pen and food. Not that you will need it but you are never far away from emergency services.
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
Does anyone else have trouble adjusting to a changed situation?
For instance, the other night I drove to my girlfriends house which is about 20 mins away. I was dreading leaving the house and the car journey there and for the first few hours I felt awful! I slowly got used to the situation and felt fine. Then around 9pm as I was leaving I starting to feel nervous again about having to go back to my house, which is my 'safe zone'.
I'm writing this as I'm on my way to Cornwall to my dads house. It's a house that I grew up in as a kid, I still have a bedroom there. It's a lovely quiet house in the middle of nowhere. But I'm dreading the change!
I''ve only just become agoraphobic after a nervous breakdown so this is new to me. Does anyone else experience this?
Re: 2013 Agoraphobia Thread
You can have more than one safe zone. It doesn't have to be the home only.
A safe zone can also include a friends home, the car, the library for example.