Anxiety Agrophobia

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I've been suffering from depression for several years, being managed by anti depressants and beta blockers.

more recently though my anxiety issues have been getting worse and worse. I get chest pains & struggle to breathe. I'm quite happy at home, my mums or at work but other than that can't cope with going out. Thankfully my friends are understanding and come to mine to socialise but it's getting so I can't face shopping or even doctors appointments (thankfully my surgery does phone appts ). Has/does anyone else have this and how did or do you cope

My doc put me on Diazepam this week. 2mg 3 times a day, so far I'm not feeling any difference

No one?

Have you tried CBT therapy?

Which anti depressant are you on Red?

I've had councelling in the past but not tried cbt

I'm on fluoxeteine dosage has recently been increased

If fluoxetine has generally worked for you then it may be best to stick with it, especially if the dose needed tweaking. You could always talk to the doctor about changing meds though - sertraline and citalopram are often used for anxiety.

Be careful with the diazepam, if it isn't making a difference it probably isn't worth the risk of becoming dependent and having worse anxiety when you have to stop taking it. Maybe it would be better to take sporadically than regularly, but I am not a medical person so please check with your doctor. I would ask why he is advising a low regular dose over a slightly higher 'as and when' dose, that could be more effective but less likely to create dependence. Be careful though, not sure if you can drive with it so check on that if you drive.

I hope someone who knows more about your specific issues will come on with some more advice .

doctors appt tomorrow. Assuming I can make it out the house that is

My anxiety also manifests itself as acrophobia so you have my sympathy!! I didn't get on with fluoxetine but found lofepramine to be very effective with interspersed 6-8 week top ups on diazepam when it got really bad.

I tried cbt but couldn't get on with it but did find a very helpful gp who listened and didn't treat me like a complete nut job helped. his suggestions centered around forcing myself out, starting with out the bedroom and slowly increasing and also to not stop going out when u felt it start off with a new bout iyswim

hard as hell but it has helped. I still can't stand crowds though

I try to walk round the block, which takes say 15 mins, sometimes I have to stop halfway, but I feel safe anyway. also I go to the local sainsbury which is slightly further (it's one of those neighbourhood ones). going into town proper I will do only once a week, it's too much for me really. might your friends and family help you? again I hope more mumsnetters can add their messages for you. good wishes