HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

afraid to leave my house

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/4/2014 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
First of all, sorry for the spelling in this mesaage.
For 11 years I have had problems with panic attacks. Been going up and down over the years. Had a really good fall and winter but this spring I started to get alot of attacks. And at thw time I turned 30 in april it got teally bad. Cant seam to leave my house. Affriad of driving and walking outside. Have had all my food bought of frineds who deliverd it to me. Started last week to try to go outside once every day. Went ok. But last 2 days I have been inside. When ever I want to go outside I get affriad and my pulse starts beting. Today I had tingling in my body, some pain and like spasms in my left arm and lightheadenes. I know this is symptons for panoc attacks. But still it makes me scared. Anyone with a tip for me? Or someone who feel like me?
Posted 7/4/2014 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi jvmca,

I wanted to reply to let you know that you are not alone. I feel the same way sometimes, there have been times when I haven't left my house for weeks and had food delivered by schwans and didn't even want to go to the mailbox. I just couldn't bring myself to leave my house, I would get hot, my heart would start racing and I would get short of breath. I've also had times when I was afraid to drive and avoided driving as much as possible. It makes me scared also.

I've learned that for me isolation is one of the worse things for my illness, the more I stay in the house the harder it is for me to leave out of the house and the more I stay in the house the more time I have to worry about things and be depressed.

I can honestly say that I can't deal with the anxiety on y own I do need professional help and when I avoid going to counseling it doesn't help. When I get in the mode where it's hard for me to leave the house my counselor has me come in to see her more and if my psychiatrist finds out like she has recently she has me come in once a week which is hard. You have to make some kind of small goal or plan to leave the house, if you have any family, friends or neighbors that you talk to or feel a connection with maybe you can try to make plans with one of them. Something just to get you out of the house, even if it's just to meet for coffee or tea or go for a walk or stand outside and talk to a neighbor. I'm not sure if you go to counseling but maybe you make an appointment with your counselor and make sure you keep your appointment. You may also want to try a support group sometimes those can be really helpful. I also promised myself I would no longer order food from schwans and that I would go to the grocery store. I have to set small goals for myself so I don't get overwhelmed and I also have to make plans and try to stick to those plans and try to get myself prepared for leaving the house.

I know how hard it can be to leave the house when you're struggling with that. Hopefully others might have some better advice as I am struggling with this also and wanted you to know that you are not alone and letting you know what I am doing to try to make myself get out of the house.
Posted 7/5/2014 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Jvmca,

Welcome to the forum. We are glad that you have taken this bold step to post here and share your story. It is a great move toward getting to where you want and need to be in your recovery!

I am sorry to hear of your struggles, and hope that we can provide support for you in your efforts to get the help that you need.

I think that when one gets to the place of not easily leaving the comfort zone of home...then it makes treatment more difficult...but not impossible to obtain.

What I would suggest is a series of steps.

First, you can get started with some self-help techniques to get you to a place of being able to see a doctor. I will post them here:

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

 

Then, once you are in a calm place, and with a safe person to take you, you can go see your health care provider for treatment suggestions.

Likely medication will be a good starting point to consider. This can allow you to then explore more long term options, (once you are feeling relief from the meds) such as therpay.

Therapy will help you to use tools and skills to comfortbly manage the anxiety, panic and agoraphobia.

I know that the issues seem huge at the moment...but you can step by step break the process down into managable parts...and find healing!

We will be here for you along the way if you would like our support.;)

Just keep posting!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 7/6/2014 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hey again. Thanks alot for the fast ansvers. Means alot to me to feel that people care and that im not alone. I have a list with small tasks to do evety day outside my home but need to update it. Been cheating on it last couple of days. To see that you also try that makes me feel good. Im on the right way. The breathing manuals I will look at them more. I know how helpfull they can be. Big thanks to both of you. Im sure I will tell you more how its going for me.

// A greatfull person
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply