Anxiety Agrophobia

[Redglitter]

I should have maybe nc for this but here goes

I'm currently being treated - unsuccessfully - for anxiety Agrophobia. I'm totally happy in my own house, I can cope with going to my mums or to work but other than that I can't face going out

It doesn't matter if it's going to my best friends or my brothers but I get upright anxious and get terrible chest pains. I'm on citalopram, propanalol and diazapam. I just can't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I don't know what the answer is but I can't go on like this

[Redglitter]

What I should have asked is has anyone else experienced anything similar

[vomistheworst]

Yes, I've been there, but not for around 12 years or so. I had a period of a couple of years in my early 20s where I could barely leave the house. Like you, I had a couple of places I could go that I deemed to be 'safe'. For example, I could walk the 5 minute journey into town and walk around town for half an hour, then walk home (although would be having panic attacks by the end of this), but only if it was between 10am and 3pm. I couldn't leave the house once dusk started to fall, even if it was to put something in the dustbin which was 4 steps away from my front door. I felt OK being at my mum and dad's house, but it was a 20 minutes journey away on the bus (impossible) or by car (couldn't drive - was given a lift, and would have panic attacks the entire time). It was truly miserable and I really understand how you must be feeling.

I wish I had some good advice, but I don't really know how I overcame it. I was put on Seroxat, which is not widely used these days because it has so many nasty side effects, so Citalopram is definitely a better option, and Diazepam when I needed it. They took the edge off of the symptoms. I can remember forcing myself to go out for little walks, and adding an extra minute every day. That helped. But then suddenly, I was fine again and I don't know why. Maybe the combination of drugs and forcing myself to go out every day suddenly kicked in. So, I'm sorry not to be much help, but I just wanted to extend some support. x

[greece1946]

Hi, I am a mum of 2 older children. I have been suffering from anxiety and agrophobia since may, and it is very hard to bear.I used to go everywhere on my own, but now home is my safe haven. I have a very supportive husband and children, but I want to conquer this myself. I am currently in therapy, but any useful comments or ideas would help.

[wfrances]

i ve suffered severe debilitating agoraphobia and social phobia for 19 years.
mine is hard to treat as my fear is rational. (i also have severe ptsd)
even in my house i dont feel safe (safer but not safe enough to relax)so i get no respite.