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Agoraphobia HELP!!

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Posted 11/15/2007 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone

I am sooooooooooooo fend up with being housebound my anxiety is so bad right now I feel if I can find support or help in my town or find some way of coping with it some where some how I just might as well give up on life because this is just not living. I have talk to my shrink about so many times but he just tells me to get more exposure but god that is easier said than done when you are filled with so much fear. Meds don't help in anyway at least any that I have been on.

So people please help me I'm heading for rock bottom god yet again

Thanks confused

Posted 11/16/2007 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Dottie... I am so sorry you are feeling so lousy. I really am. I think based on what your shrink is saying to you, maybe it's time to find someone new, someone who is more willing to work with you. What meds have you been on? I was dealing with agoraphobia for a while there, and used Xanax and Lexapro to help me out of it. I am now on Klonopin, and am off Lexapro, as of lastnight, and starting Effexor XR tomorrow. I hope you are able to get the help you need. Best Wishes!
Posted 11/16/2007 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dottie,

I sure know how you feel, I'm agoraphobic too and the frustration and dissapointment of it can really get to me at times as well.  I do have a good therapist, but not a whole lot of daily suppport in getting out.  My husband is supportive, but he works all week and by the time he gets home it's dark and I don't like going out after dark right now.  Weekends are iffy as well, since sometimes he has to work, or he goes hunting.  So, it's hard for me to get out on a regular basis, which I know is what I need to be doing.  I was biking every day, but now it's gotten too cold (I'm in Minnesota), so now I have no way to get out on my own.   I want you to know you are not alone and that I'll be here to talk if you'd like too.  Do you use cbt?  Have you read any books by Claire Weekes?  She has some great books on anxiety/panic and does talk about agoraphobia as well.  Her methods have helped me more than anything else to get a handle on the constant anxiety.  Keep in touch, if you'd like. 

Posted 11/16/2007 4:43 PM (GMT 0)

Dear Dottie,

I am sorry you are not having success with finding help in dealing with your agorphobia. Many people have successfully used “Baby Steps” to overcome agoraphobia.  Try starting  with a short-term goal, and then create a series of "baby steps" leading up to that goal.

Perhaps you just want to go walk for a few blocks.  Create your series of babysteps in your mind.  How can you do this?   Remember with babysteps you can work up to big steps but please give yourself time.

Don't set you goals to high, they may sound tiny but they shoudl be achievable. Don't beat yourself up if you don't make it the first try.  Just do it again.

I have heard of some people that benefit from hypnosis. :-)

I know you can do this even thow it seems impossible now.  Remember babysteps.  You may only go out the door and 2 doors down on your first outing. That is a great accomplishment from where you are now. So please know we are here for you. With work on your part and lots of support from us, I know you will make it.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 11/17/2007 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
I suffer from this as well. I will go out in public but I have anxiety attacks a lot where there are too many people and things like that. I also constantly am afraid of what people are thinking about me. I am fine at work, but in social settings it is terrible. My psychologist thinks I have agoraphobia AND social anxiety. I don't know about the social anxiety thing, because I am fine talking to people, but on the inside I am paranoid that they don't like me or are thinking bad things about me.
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