Agoraphobia developing from anxiety - what will help?

Feelthingsgettingworse · 2023-06-08T07:49:57+00:00

I already have some problems that I struggle with (ASD,ADHD,OCD) Im now struggling to leave my house at all, can’t do it when alone and even with someone it’s a struggle and 9/10 I can’t do it. It’s a combination of pre existing sensory issues and now anxiety on top of that . I’m not even sure why. I did have very severe covid a few months ago and haven’t fully recovered and it has coincided with that but I’m lot sure if that’s they reason? I already see my gp regularly and I dont feel I want to take antidepressants as I dont feel depressed as such . I’m just not sure what to do as this is coming up for 6 months now and I’m feeling suffocated by myself if that makes sense

miniegg3 · 08/06/2023 08:53

Anti depressants aren't just for suppression. I was at a similar stage to you about 15 years ago, leaving the house to go anywhere just resulted in panic attacks and had anxiety almost constantly eve at home
Citalopram really turned everything around for me, give the medication a chance x

miniegg3 · 08/06/2023 08:54

*depression

Original poster

Feelthingsgettingworse · 08/06/2023 08:56

miniegg3 · 08/06/2023 08:53

Anti depressants aren't just for suppression. I was at a similar stage to you about 15 years ago, leaving the house to go anywhere just resulted in panic attacks and had anxiety almost constantly eve at home
Citalopram really turned everything around for me, give the medication a chance x

I just can’t tolerate anything that will give me side effects as I have such severe sensory issues and the gp keeps pushing them but it’s likely I’ll get a new set of issues from medication and I really want to avoid that if possible, and even if I had non side effects the anxiety about it will be there so it’s this awful round in circles thing as sensory issues are controlling me

OP posts:

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 08/06/2023 08:57

I've been there. And I'm afraid the best thing is to do it. Go outside by yourself and stand on the driveway until you feel calm. The next day, walk 30 seconds up the road and come back. Do that again the next day, and the next day and the next day, until it doesn't make you anxious. Then go 2 minutes up the road and come back, and repeat. You get the idea. (If you're already able to walk 2 mins away by yourself, obviously pick a starting point that is just beyond what you currently feel ok with). Listen to music, carry water, whatever helps. I couldn't leave the house at all a few years ago, and now it's not an issue 99% of the time (I still struggle a bit on public transport).

But antidepressants are not only for depression, they can help with anxiety as well, so it might be worth discussing them with your GP. Although I am a hypocrite here because I won't take antidepressants because I have severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and am too scared of potential nausea and sickness from them.

Original poster

Feelthingsgettingworse · 08/06/2023 08:58

I was offered sertraline and the side effects are just not things I can cope with. I’ll have a look at citalopram

OP posts:

Original poster

Feelthingsgettingworse · 08/06/2023 08:59

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 08/06/2023 08:57

I've been there. And I'm afraid the best thing is to do it. Go outside by yourself and stand on the driveway until you feel calm. The next day, walk 30 seconds up the road and come back. Do that again the next day, and the next day and the next day, until it doesn't make you anxious. Then go 2 minutes up the road and come back, and repeat. You get the idea. (If you're already able to walk 2 mins away by yourself, obviously pick a starting point that is just beyond what you currently feel ok with). Listen to music, carry water, whatever helps. I couldn't leave the house at all a few years ago, and now it's not an issue 99% of the time (I still struggle a bit on public transport).

But antidepressants are not only for depression, they can help with anxiety as well, so it might be worth discussing them with your GP. Although I am a hypocrite here because I won't take antidepressants because I have severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and am too scared of potential nausea and sickness from them.

This is my problem too and why I declined sertraline

OP posts:

TheoreticalRefusal · 08/06/2023 09:03

Won't lie, I had side effects when I started antidepressants but they wore off after a couple of weeks (first few days was the worst). They really help with my anxiety - ASD here too. I wouldn't function even half as well without them... Anxiety is a real brute if it gets hold of you. And you don't feel a big huge "ooh I'm happy now" when you take them, it's just like a pressure of lifting off somewhere. My sensory issues are quite bad but they're much worse when I'm stressed and anxious?

TheoreticalRefusal · 08/06/2023 09:04

Just to add, I literally treated starting the antidepressants as being ill - for a week, my focus was on resting and trying to eat. I couldn't start them while trying to function properly.

miniegg3 · 08/06/2023 09:59

RightWhereYouLeftMe · 08/06/2023 08:57

I've been there. And I'm afraid the best thing is to do it. Go outside by yourself and stand on the driveway until you feel calm. The next day, walk 30 seconds up the road and come back. Do that again the next day, and the next day and the next day, until it doesn't make you anxious. Then go 2 minutes up the road and come back, and repeat. You get the idea. (If you're already able to walk 2 mins away by yourself, obviously pick a starting point that is just beyond what you currently feel ok with). Listen to music, carry water, whatever helps. I couldn't leave the house at all a few years ago, and now it's not an issue 99% of the time (I still struggle a bit on public transport).

But antidepressants are not only for depression, they can help with anxiety as well, so it might be worth discussing them with your GP. Although I am a hypocrite here because I won't take antidepressants because I have severe emetophobia (fear of vomiting) and am too scared of potential nausea and sickness from them.

I have severe emetaphobia too 🤣 I think that's the main cause of my anxiety tbh.

They come with side effects but not for everyone of course. I had mild effects from both citalopram and sertraline (was put on sertraline whhile pregnant, didnt work for me personally), but neither caused nausea. Honestly if you get through a couple weeks of side effects it can be life changing.

I also carry domperidone (anti emetic) Im my purse which makes me feel better 🤣 I've only ever taken it when we had a bug in the house and I felt sick ( i think just from anxiety but still)