So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Hi all, new to the site and joined because as the tittle suggests I am bored and frustrated by my agoraphobia and trying to explain to my mother it's not a fear of angora jumpers ;)
Had agoraphobia since I was 18 and I am now 33, sooooooooo sick of it, when is it going to take the hint and go away? Think how many things I could have done, places I could of seen, jobs I could have done, people I could of met???? Wish I could have gone out and lived in this world :(
Would like to chat with like minded people, thanks for listening to
Me rant :)
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Hello & :welcome:
Fellow panic/ag/anx sufferer here. You will meet lots of lovely and supportive members on this site, we are all here to help eachother through the bad times & the good :yesyes: Remember, your own experiences can help others too!! Take a look through the posts and hope you get as much from being here as I have.
Take care, Kitti :)
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
This is the first time in my life I have ever spoken to someone with the same issues, my car is my security blanket too! Feels so good to know that it's not just me that is like this, my friends laugh and joke about it then ask me stupid things like, I am driving do you want a lift????
So going to get rid of agoraphobia, been trying for years, it's so exhausting, time consuming and weird and I wish I could have a life outside the box.
Thank you for being understanding
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Hello Panic. Two things i would say is. Firstly stop dwelling on the past, the what ifs etc. You can't change your past but you can change your future. Secondly you wont get agoraphobia and anxiety free without taking small steps to overcome your condition. Like what i mean is going only in the car is not dealing with the agoraphobia, you're just protecting yourself from exposure to the anxiety and panic. I know its easier said than done but to move on i think you need to expose yourself more to the things that make you anxious. It's like swimming, no body jumped in the pool and swam like a fish the first time. They kept exposing themselves to the water to become good swimmers. That's what you need to do, expose yourself gradually to your anxieties. Try these two things. Firstly imagine you are not agoraphobic, telling yourself all the time that you are agoraphobic will only bolster your believe that you can't go out without feeling panicky. Secondly tell yourself before you go out for a walk that ok lets have a panic attack before i go out, say to your sub-conscious bring it on and mean it. That will start telling yourself that you don't fear the fear anymore. If you have set backs so what? Don't dwell on them. Just say i done better today than i was doing yesterday/last week etc.
Good luck
Darren :)
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
I agree with Darrenb74.
I have had social phobia on and off for 18 years, unfortunately I had a lot of family problems last year and it came back with avengence.
I force myself to go to the shops and face public/staff, I start shallow breathing, but make myself do it over and over again. It is the only way to get better, face your fears.
I have also suffered with agorophobia aswell in the past, brought on by not dealing with my social phobia.
I go into town and sit outside the coffee shop, have a panic attack talking to people, but I keep going back.
I know recovery is possible, I have been there, my anxiety was still in the background somewhere, but I lead a "normal life".
You have to force yourself one step at a time, it will be painfull, praise yourself for each small step and your life will get better.
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Thanks guys, I live in a small town and have never met people with the same issues I have. I have felt alone and scared for years and only when my councillor mentioned agoraphobia did I check it out online, there were times I felt I was going insane, no one else I knew could freak out in tesco for no reason. I understand working with the fear of fear but its been going on for so long and I always keep going and going that I am tired and bored of it, i wish it would go away
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
We are not born with these conditions, they are learnt, and we need to unlearn them.. unfortunately it wont just go away, you will need to work hard at getting your life back on track... working with your fears to overcome them, and to unlearn the anxiety youve associated with going out and living life.
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Hi I had agoraphobia from 2005 till 2013 but after a lot of hard work, determination and a course of cbt I had a great life from November 2013 to September 2014 I was never in my house I just wanted to go everywhere, see everything and enjoy my new found freedom and never felt my anxiety once but then in September 2014 my world came crashing down and it's back, I spent all of September and November in bed but then the thought struck me that if I did not get out of bed I would be stuck in my house for years so I am now out of my bed and facing and feeling the fear everyday and I even make myself stand in my front garden for 5 minutes every day it is so tough and I am scared witless at times but that year of freedom I had lets me know the fight will be worth it again
Re: So bored and fed up of agoraphobia
Well done millymaz and welcome to NMP :welcome:
Challenging anxiety disorders is extremely tough but you've got the right attitude and that can be half of the battle so I'm sure you will get the life back that you deserve.