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Agoraphobia and housebound
This is something I have been interested in discussing on this forum. I'm just wondering how many of us are agoraphobic and to what extent. I know that I am and fight it all the time but make sure that I do leave my home most days. I have a very dear friend who hasn't left her home in almost 7 years. She has had all kinds of therapy and has tried SSRIs and other meds but is now VERY meds phobic and even with the CBT she finally gave up and just stays home. I'm wondering if there are others on this forum who are like her or are the majority like me. I wish there was something I can do to help her but she is just plain scared to leave her house. She has tried on occasion and has had some success but very minimal and therefore doesn't leave home. We don't even discuss it that much anymore. Our discussions are about everything but... I have to say that she is a perfect example of someone who would benefit from more CBT and medication because she definitely doesn't have any depression, she just has GAD with panic. I would love to know who on this board has agoraphobia and if they have been housebound or are still housebound and how they are dealing with it.
LOL...Walmart is the devil! :0) Okay, not really....but I HAVE found it to be a common trigger place amongst the anxious.
AJW...I'm glad you were comfy enough to share your story. I think that is one of the biggest benefits of these types of forums...being able to learn from others....and share in others' experiences.
I am so sorry you went through what you did...I can't imagine how frustrating and scary it was for you. Thing is...while I have no idea if the benzo really WAS the cause or not....I NEVER say "never" or "always" with medications. You very well could be the 0.1% to end up with an almost unreported problem, ya know? Obviously, you have been working with an endocrinologist, and have had a VERY thorough work up...which would rule out the common and more rare causes of an enlarged thyroid. Basically, everyone...you, the docs...are left scratching your head...and I can certainly understand you relating the issue to the benzo withdrawl. Common sense and process of elimination huh? I just wish for YOUR sake that they would somehow be able to verify that for you...because it is hard being left to feel that you have "decided" this was the cause. If that made any sense, you know?
I also totally can understand how you would feel the way you do about meds....I mean, how could you NOT right? I'm sorry you went through all of this....it sounds like you are on the path to recovery...which is great. If you get a chance...read my journals about panic, etc (some are from this thread, so it would be redundant)...but a lot of the techniques I have tried to overcome agoraphobia have been very successful.
Thanks again for sharing your ordeal with us. Best of luck, and I hope you never experience anything like it again.
AJW...I'm glad you were comfy enough to share your story. I think that is one of the biggest benefits of these types of forums...being able to learn from others....and share in others' experiences.
I am so sorry you went through what you did...I can't imagine how frustrating and scary it was for you. Thing is...while I have no idea if the benzo really WAS the cause or not....I NEVER say "never" or "always" with medications. You very well could be the 0.1% to end up with an almost unreported problem, ya know? Obviously, you have been working with an endocrinologist, and have had a VERY thorough work up...which would rule out the common and more rare causes of an enlarged thyroid. Basically, everyone...you, the docs...are left scratching your head...and I can certainly understand you relating the issue to the benzo withdrawl. Common sense and process of elimination huh? I just wish for YOUR sake that they would somehow be able to verify that for you...because it is hard being left to feel that you have "decided" this was the cause. If that made any sense, you know?
I also totally can understand how you would feel the way you do about meds....I mean, how could you NOT right? I'm sorry you went through all of this....it sounds like you are on the path to recovery...which is great. If you get a chance...read my journals about panic, etc (some are from this thread, so it would be redundant)...but a lot of the techniques I have tried to overcome agoraphobia have been very successful.
Thanks again for sharing your ordeal with us. Best of luck, and I hope you never experience anything like it again.
You shouldn't be afraid of Walmart! It's just like MedHelp...one stop shopping! At Walmart you can get fresh vegetables, shorts, shoes and beef all under one roof. Here at MedHelp, you can find out if your dog has fleas in the pet section, if your aunt's rash needs ointment in the dermatology forum, and how about that arthritis issue or if you really are pregnant or was it just indigestion....You see, one stop shopping. Mind you there are no line-ups here. LOL
i find it greatly amusing how many of us are arfraid of walmart!
My friends all know that if i go into walmart that i can say at any point in time i need to leave and we leave right there right then, leaving shopping carts wherever we may be at the time!
I have said many times that walmart is my idea of hell! lol!
im glad i found this post i dont know where there are any forum just for aggoraphobia and ive been having issues lateley and really needed this! good luck to us all!
My friends all know that if i go into walmart that i can say at any point in time i need to leave and we leave right there right then, leaving shopping carts wherever we may be at the time!
I have said many times that walmart is my idea of hell! lol!
im glad i found this post i dont know where there are any forum just for aggoraphobia and ive been having issues lateley and really needed this! good luck to us all!
Quote: just have to continue working myself out of agoraphobia
And you will! You are doing an excellent job of reaching that goal.
Do you work out or swim? I have a pool and lately I've found it most helpful with anxiety. I go down at a time when I can have the space all to myself and I swim lengths. It makes me feel absolutely refreshed. I also have a gym which I'm trying to use more frequently and every time I go, I'm glad I did because working out seems to help with that excess adrenaline. You don't have to even leave your house to work out. Even if you don't have weights at home, you can use filled bottles of detergent or use books instead of free-weights. Push ups and sit ups don't require anything and they give you a good workout. Also, a skipping rope will give you great cardio and it doesn't have to be an expensive rope from a sporting goods store, it can be any rope. Just another thought!
And you will! You are doing an excellent job of reaching that goal.
Do you work out or swim? I have a pool and lately I've found it most helpful with anxiety. I go down at a time when I can have the space all to myself and I swim lengths. It makes me feel absolutely refreshed. I also have a gym which I'm trying to use more frequently and every time I go, I'm glad I did because working out seems to help with that excess adrenaline. You don't have to even leave your house to work out. Even if you don't have weights at home, you can use filled bottles of detergent or use books instead of free-weights. Push ups and sit ups don't require anything and they give you a good workout. Also, a skipping rope will give you great cardio and it doesn't have to be an expensive rope from a sporting goods store, it can be any rope. Just another thought!
Hi Barfer,
Thanks for understanding. You have been so very helpful, and I really appreciate all you've shared.
A graph sounds like a great idea. I have kept a journal, but hardly write in it much anymore.
My agrophobia began from crowds & traffic, such as if I visit a small peaceful independant store, I am fine, but as soon as I go back out into traffic, my anxieties go into overload, I have no trouble in quiet, empty fast food places. I go into panic, in places like Walmart, large resturants etc....
I try to adjust and take care of life necessaties during the night, I'm thankful for 24 hour stores.
But over stimulation creates chaos with my nervous system. I have found relief wearing super dark sunglasses during the day, to reduce stimulation.
Staying at home alone, is the only place I can feel comfort, no stimulation to my nervous system, reason I spend majority of my time in my home.
When I try to leave my home and go out during the day.
Fear = anxiety, chest tightness and sob. What I am afraid of, I still haven't figured out.
Cause most times, after an hour or two, I adjust to a certain level of comfort, although I have chest tightness/sob, but not nearly as bad as when I came off Klonopin. So alot has improved over the months, just have to continue working myself out of agrophobia.
Thanks for understanding. You have been so very helpful, and I really appreciate all you've shared.
A graph sounds like a great idea. I have kept a journal, but hardly write in it much anymore.
My agrophobia began from crowds & traffic, such as if I visit a small peaceful independant store, I am fine, but as soon as I go back out into traffic, my anxieties go into overload, I have no trouble in quiet, empty fast food places. I go into panic, in places like Walmart, large resturants etc....
I try to adjust and take care of life necessaties during the night, I'm thankful for 24 hour stores.
But over stimulation creates chaos with my nervous system. I have found relief wearing super dark sunglasses during the day, to reduce stimulation.
Staying at home alone, is the only place I can feel comfort, no stimulation to my nervous system, reason I spend majority of my time in my home.
When I try to leave my home and go out during the day.
Fear = anxiety, chest tightness and sob. What I am afraid of, I still haven't figured out.
Cause most times, after an hour or two, I adjust to a certain level of comfort, although I have chest tightness/sob, but not nearly as bad as when I came off Klonopin. So alot has improved over the months, just have to continue working myself out of agrophobia.
Hello AJWS6,
Read your post and I nderstand where you are coming from .Everyone is different when it comes to their experiences with medication . I have heard many horror stories about long term benzo use and would say I was rather surprised and pleased that there were many members who didn't have much problems with long term use and when withdrawing. Anti depressants are not innocent as they are claimed to be either for some.
I am not anti - medication either , just cautious and at times I realise that even if I don't like it I find relief in medications. I am sensitive to medication and a friend of mine mentioned that according to her doctor there is about 1 % of the population in Aust who are sensitive to medications - so lots of trial and error . So perhaps you were sensitive to Klonopin. Only you would know your body better.
A bit like me with my beta blocker experience, initially not many believed my side effects, they told me I was imagining them. Later on they found out I was asthmatic and indeed that particular blocker commonly causes respiratory problems,sleep loss and depression in some people. Usually one has to weigh the benefits and costs of using a med.
It is great that you shared your story, especially for people like myself who prefer to use benzos for a as needed basis only. It presents another persons struggles. I know I am sensitive to meds and my doctors acknowledge that too and I do admit some of the side effects may be anxiety also. I know one thing though that despite my fears of medication and withdrawals etc, I will not hesitate to go on any even long term if necessary when I cannot function properly. I would weigh out the pros and cons.
So AJ, listen to your instincts and take small steps towards recovery and soon you will find yourself taking larger steps. Try your best not to relive your bad withdrawal experience. It is like a post traumatic stress. I should know, I still have flashbacks of bad memories. If you find a good therapist who understands that you are a bit anti-med right now, consult them. Someone who can help you change your way of thinking which I suspect is happening with you. After all your body had a bit of shock coming out of the calmness of the benzo.
Take care.
Sumi
Read your post and I nderstand where you are coming from .Everyone is different when it comes to their experiences with medication . I have heard many horror stories about long term benzo use and would say I was rather surprised and pleased that there were many members who didn't have much problems with long term use and when withdrawing. Anti depressants are not innocent as they are claimed to be either for some.
I am not anti - medication either , just cautious and at times I realise that even if I don't like it I find relief in medications. I am sensitive to medication and a friend of mine mentioned that according to her doctor there is about 1 % of the population in Aust who are sensitive to medications - so lots of trial and error . So perhaps you were sensitive to Klonopin. Only you would know your body better.
A bit like me with my beta blocker experience, initially not many believed my side effects, they told me I was imagining them. Later on they found out I was asthmatic and indeed that particular blocker commonly causes respiratory problems,sleep loss and depression in some people. Usually one has to weigh the benefits and costs of using a med.
It is great that you shared your story, especially for people like myself who prefer to use benzos for a as needed basis only. It presents another persons struggles. I know I am sensitive to meds and my doctors acknowledge that too and I do admit some of the side effects may be anxiety also. I know one thing though that despite my fears of medication and withdrawals etc, I will not hesitate to go on any even long term if necessary when I cannot function properly. I would weigh out the pros and cons.
So AJ, listen to your instincts and take small steps towards recovery and soon you will find yourself taking larger steps. Try your best not to relive your bad withdrawal experience. It is like a post traumatic stress. I should know, I still have flashbacks of bad memories. If you find a good therapist who understands that you are a bit anti-med right now, consult them. Someone who can help you change your way of thinking which I suspect is happening with you. After all your body had a bit of shock coming out of the calmness of the benzo.
Take care.
Sumi
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