anyone know anything about agoraphobia---and how/where to get help???

Question

i cant leave my house----i just was wondering if anyone has any recomendations----of any kind----in order to get out-----im already on meds for other mental illnesses ( bi-polar, borderline personality....dulisional disorder---self-injury....+ others)-------this isnt new, but it has NEVER been so intense---the sheer panic, of going out----by myself---its killing me---all i have are these disparing thoughts and tremendous worry, that---its just out of control---please........if u have any experience, please share ur thoughts w/ me-------thanks! i think the biggest concern of mine---is other peoples judgements---that everyone has about the people they see in day-to-day life....and.......my life just sucks---im bored as hell----in my apt..and i cant leave---to do anything else...my energy feels like it drains to zero, everytime im "almost" ---- "out the door"---so.........then everytime i attempt---or better----almost attempt to leave......i just cant---------so, tahnks again---

Answer 1

I had those same symptoms for 5 years. I was afraid to cross the street for fear of getting run over. I found my cure. I hope this will be your cure too. Take 2 tbls. apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before a meal. Heinz vinegar has 93 vitamins and minerals. It has cured my anxiety, depression and mood swings. I am so happy now. I can go outside now. I have a little fear, but most of it is gone. I also in my mind's eye see myself. crossing a simple street. I sometimes would go out late at night when nobody was out and that helped too. I live in a very safe neighborhood.

Answer 2

I suffer from agoraphobia but now it is just off and on. I am very sorry that you have to go through this too. I was completely housebound in 1993, 1994,1996 and off and on since 2000. I am in intense therapy now two times a week. I have tried many medications but they only take the edge off. The therapy has helped me more than anything and it gives me a reason to leave the house. Once in awhile I am able to get out and go to a friends that is 2 miles but other than that my life is very limited. I can tell you that there is hope and things can get better. It is very scary......if you ever want to talk feel free to email me and the I will give you my IM. You can find my email addy in my profile. I do hope you can somehow get to a Dr. and they will listen so you can get help. Being and feeling stuck is the worst feeling but it is not permanent even though it may feel like it is. Don't ever give up~

Answer 3

I suffer from agoraphobia, along with a few anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder. So I can relate. I don't leave my house unless I absolutely need to.
First, I'm sure you already know the importance of talking to your doctor (since you are already on meds). Therapy is key in situations like this, because there is that "fight or flight" mindset. Working with a therapist can really help change your point-of-view (along with proper meds).
Also, I found this link to be helpful:
http://www.agoraphobia-panic-attacks.com/articles1.html
And just know that you're not alone. I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

Answer 4

I really like Judy's answer and would like to add to that what someone else said about envision yourself walking out the door; envision nothing happening, that it was uneventful. Then work your way to doing it; like Judy said start with just having your door open (back door, front door,or even a window) then work your way to getting near it; sit by your door and read a book, do a crossword puzzle; continue there with baby steps. If you feel uncomfortable take a step back. Don't force yourself into complete discomfort, allow yourself to take a step back when you start to feel apprehensive, but try not to continue going back. Practice thinking everything your not (that it is okay outside, that no one really will be paying attention to you, etc...just keep telling yourself that) I have had periods in my life where I felt like if just let myself indulge in my thoughts that i would just never leave the house...that is when i just give myself pep talks until i start listening to myself. Also, talk to your therapist about a change in meds or doses. Find a trusted person/family member to help you; to make you feel safe. Also, write down your fears and then have that trusted person help you work through them. Using a journal can really help you to work through your feelings and may help you to understand the underlying problem. You have to realize that while there may be a few jerks out there, most people really are absorbed in their own lives and don't even pay attention to other people on the street. I bet you can remember a time when you left the house and everything was okay. Concentrate on that time. My heart goes out to you, and I hope, no, I know you will overcome this. Please don't hurt yourself (you referrred to self injury) you are worth the life you are living and you deserve happiness and comfort; sometimes you just have to allow yourself these things ( I used to just terribly knock myself down over mistakes, until one day my therapist said I was allowed to make mistakes and that tomorrow is a new day...somehow her giving me permission helped me to better heal myself) Anyway, with some work you will overcome this (that's what you just keep telling yourself) and don't give up hope! Feel free to e-mail me and let me know how you are doing or if you are bored and just wanna chat. I'll be routing for you! Take care

Answer 5

Hi, my name is Brian and I have Agorahobia too. I don't know much about the rest of that stuff you got, but I've had Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia, and Depression issues throughout most of my life. In the winter of 1998 I became housebound with Agoraphobia, and stayed in my house until sometime in the year 2000 when I finally got tired of my Agoraphobias **** and decided to fight back! I'm serious, I had to literally look at how pathetic my life was at that time, get pissed and do something about it. First, and probably most importantly, I met Jesus Christ and got saved over a christian crisis phoneline. See my biggest fear was dying from one of my Panic Attacks, but faith in God took that fear away. Because I knew that since Jesus for gave my sins, if I really did die I'd be up in heaven with God and my Grandma. Somehow death by panic attack wasn't "quite" as scary after that. Next, I got into see a Dr, who set me up with the Therapist who still occasionally helps me to this day. Talking about this crap really does help you know, it helped me alot. Also my family was huge help during that time, my support system was literally huge! My therapist put me on Xanax, and Paxil and that evened out my brain chemistry, and help of my family, and my faith in God, helped me cope with the fear enough to get a Job as a sales clerk at Dollar General in 01', and after that it was just victory after victory. Now I own my own business, I've been to and graduated from college, I own my own home, I'm engaged to be married, and although it's still kind of hard for me to leave town sometimes, I live a fairly normal life.
I know Anxiety, depression and Agoraphobia will probably always be issuse for me, and I can live with it now. Someday you'll learn to cope too. You'll see.
I just mainly told you all this so you could see that you're not alone, and hopefully believe that it will all be ok in Gods good time.
Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Sure does sound like agoraphobia! But the only way to know for sure is to seek professional help. The best and easiest thing you can do is talk to your family doctor, tell them everything you just said here, and go from there. They can help you! Give them a call. Good luck!

Answer 7

sounds all too familiar. i am going through a stage at the moment where i wont even go out to my clothes line. the best thing is to find someone you feel safe with and go out for a few minutes, but if that is not possible at moment tnen make sure that you are relaxed and start by just opening your door and windows, while remaining calm. remember the fear is in our mind and it has phobia attached the the end of it coz it is irrational. force yourself to stand half in and half out of the doorway. you will feel better for it. then take just one step out. when you see that nothing bad happens you will feel more confident. i mean you may feel freaked out but recognise that nothing has happened to u as a result. like you have not been attacked or laughed at or anything like that. please at least stand near your open door. and maybe you might require a higher dose of medication at this particular stage-it is worth having a chat to your doctor about it. i often go and sit on my porch at night. or hang washing at night. i am not suggesting you go on a full scale outing once it is dark coz you may not live in a friendly area, but it may be easier to venture out even just infront of your buildin if you are not so worried by the negitive asessment of others. and if you cant stand near your open door today, there is always tomorrow. and you know what don't give a crap what other people think. most people just go about their own business, but yes there are those who don't but you just ignore those fools. they have small minds and think all sorts of stuff about EVERYONE not just you, but there thoughts are nothing!! certainly not worth you going through hell. i am obese and not giving a crap what athers may or may not think of me has turned my life around. i am me and that is that. we all eat, we all crap, and we all return from whence we came! live your life! as for me not going out i think i need some meds again, coz it is certainly not due to others this time. best wishes.