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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.
Hi there,
Barfer has given you some excellent suggestions and it is important getting any thyroid conditions under control.
With the benzo, perhaps you got so used to a certain level of calmness while on the med and didn't learn how to deal with anxiety symptoms triggered by various situations in your life. So now, you are off Klonopin and your body is all anxious and you don't know how to cope with it except retreat to a comfort zone. This is why your doctor probably is suggesting Klonopin or Paxil.
You fear Klonopin, so don't go there . Get your thyroid issues sorted out like barfer suggested. Next step you could consider is perhaps Valium - as a as needed basis whilst you see a therapist who can take you to the next level - some sort of exposure therapy. You mention , nothing helps , possibly because you haven't found the right therapist and perhaps you are too anxious to practise any strategies and wanting a quick fix. This is a normal reaction and you are just normal. You are a normal, healthy person who is just going through a bit of crisis at the moment.
Beta blockers are good but not without the side effects, some cause depression as they can cross the brain barrier etc. , sleep disorders in some and some are unsuitable for asthmatics. Long term usage seems to even link it to development of diabetes now. This is from what I know as I was considering a beta blocker of a different kind this time around. A few years back, my blocker caused depression and wheezing. So consult your doctor and while I might be an exception, it is my understanding that there are many people who don't seem to have much issues with blockers apart from mild fatigue.
Finally, I suggest that if you are housebound and can do some form of movement exercise, do it - suggestion, dance, housework, some gentle stretches.This is to get your cardiovascular fitness level and it will burn some of the adrenaline and get the endorphins (feel good hormone) going . This in turn will help you have fewer symptoms when you venture out of the house.
Take care.
Sumi
Barfer has given you some excellent suggestions and it is important getting any thyroid conditions under control.
With the benzo, perhaps you got so used to a certain level of calmness while on the med and didn't learn how to deal with anxiety symptoms triggered by various situations in your life. So now, you are off Klonopin and your body is all anxious and you don't know how to cope with it except retreat to a comfort zone. This is why your doctor probably is suggesting Klonopin or Paxil.
You fear Klonopin, so don't go there . Get your thyroid issues sorted out like barfer suggested. Next step you could consider is perhaps Valium - as a as needed basis whilst you see a therapist who can take you to the next level - some sort of exposure therapy. You mention , nothing helps , possibly because you haven't found the right therapist and perhaps you are too anxious to practise any strategies and wanting a quick fix. This is a normal reaction and you are just normal. You are a normal, healthy person who is just going through a bit of crisis at the moment.
Beta blockers are good but not without the side effects, some cause depression as they can cross the brain barrier etc. , sleep disorders in some and some are unsuitable for asthmatics. Long term usage seems to even link it to development of diabetes now. This is from what I know as I was considering a beta blocker of a different kind this time around. A few years back, my blocker caused depression and wheezing. So consult your doctor and while I might be an exception, it is my understanding that there are many people who don't seem to have much issues with blockers apart from mild fatigue.
Finally, I suggest that if you are housebound and can do some form of movement exercise, do it - suggestion, dance, housework, some gentle stretches.This is to get your cardiovascular fitness level and it will burn some of the adrenaline and get the endorphins (feel good hormone) going . This in turn will help you have fewer symptoms when you venture out of the house.
Take care.
Sumi
Quote:
I was not going to share this, because my Agoraphobia was medication induced.
Why wouldn't you share this information? This is an open discussion for people who have experienced agoraphobia or know someone who has. This is exactly the type of discussion that we want. All experiences are worthy and wanted.
OK, now I just want to throw this idea out to you, I went to your profile page and noticed that you are in another forum here regarding thyroid. Are you aware that a thyroid condition could give you symptoms of anxiety/panic that could enhance a feeling of agoraphobia? There are a lot of people who take thyroid medication and immediately find that their anxiety diminishes. I'm not saying that this is your situation but it might be something to look at. You may be blaming the klonopin for something that really is a thyroid condition. Were you taking any other drugs while you were on klonopin and during the weaning besides the Valium (during weaning)? I doesn't sound like you were taking that much of klonopin so it shouldn't have been that big a deal getting off of it, if done correctly. It's too bad you didn't get advice from Ryan...I'm sure you wouldn't be in the state you are now if you did.
If you find out that there is no thyroid problem, then you will need to address the agoraphobia and panic with CBT and because you are doing the therapy and seeing a psychiatrist presently without much success, I hate to tell you this but medication may be your only other option if you are looking to have a full life. Psychiatrists are always very quick to suggest an SSRI when there is GAD and panic. I'm not the least bit surprised that you doctor felt that Paxil would help. The fact that he wants to introduce the klonopin again is because of the panic attacks that have lead you to agoraphobia. I'm no doctor, but I can understand why he is suggesting this. He wants to ensure that all bases are covered and you can have at least a chance at a full life. You may find after a while that you may not need the paxil but, at least for now, what have you got to lose? You admitted that you can't leave your house right now and certainly aren't living the life you want, why not give it a shot. I had to try various drug before I hit on one that worked for me. What I learned from that, way after the fact, that I confused some drugs as being bad and not working for me when really I was still experiencing side effects of coming off of another drug. I know that now because I am on one of the drugs right now and it is working for me, but I had tried in in the past and thought it was the culprit for more anxiety feelings when it was really the drug I had just come off. Meds are really funny and different for everyone. One may work for you that absolutely wouldn't for me. It is a bit of a stab in the dark as to which one would be right but that stab in the dark is worth it if it lets you have the life you deserve. If you have read this discussion from the beginning, you know that it started with my concern for a friend who has been housebound for approximately 7 years. Please don't let that be you! Do whatever it takes to get out and don't let the fear of medication stop you. I've got news for you, most of us (people with GAD and panic) have a fear of medication and don't want to take it. Even my doctor said that it's always his GAD patients who once they start feeling better, they go off their meds because they think they don't need them anymore. His heart patients wouldn't think of doing that nor his epileptic or thyroid patients...no, it's his GAD patients that take themselves off the meds and then wonder why thy have side effect or that their GAD comes back. You know why it comes back, because it never really went away! It was the medication and the therapy that made them feel better. Now don't get me wrong, some people can go off meds and be great for the rest of their lives and able to control their GAD and then there are people like me who will probably need some sort of medication forever. That used to bother me until I went off all meds and after 5 months decided I'd had enough of trying to prove to myself that I didn't need meds. Many sleepless nights, headaches, panic attacks later, I went back to my doctor and said that I had given it my best shot and now I admit I need medication and here I am back to sleeping well, very few headaches and I haven't had a panic attack since being on my full dose of meds.
I also, want to add that it is not unusual for performers to have anxiety issues. There are alot who have to take a beta blocker or a benzo before they perform. I can't tell you how common this is. Most performers, not all, but most, are like thoroughbreds, they tend to be a little higher strung and have that extra surge of adrenaline. That's what makes them so great.
I was not going to share this, because my Agoraphobia was medication induced.
Why wouldn't you share this information? This is an open discussion for people who have experienced agoraphobia or know someone who has. This is exactly the type of discussion that we want. All experiences are worthy and wanted.
OK, now I just want to throw this idea out to you, I went to your profile page and noticed that you are in another forum here regarding thyroid. Are you aware that a thyroid condition could give you symptoms of anxiety/panic that could enhance a feeling of agoraphobia? There are a lot of people who take thyroid medication and immediately find that their anxiety diminishes. I'm not saying that this is your situation but it might be something to look at. You may be blaming the klonopin for something that really is a thyroid condition. Were you taking any other drugs while you were on klonopin and during the weaning besides the Valium (during weaning)? I doesn't sound like you were taking that much of klonopin so it shouldn't have been that big a deal getting off of it, if done correctly. It's too bad you didn't get advice from Ryan...I'm sure you wouldn't be in the state you are now if you did.
If you find out that there is no thyroid problem, then you will need to address the agoraphobia and panic with CBT and because you are doing the therapy and seeing a psychiatrist presently without much success, I hate to tell you this but medication may be your only other option if you are looking to have a full life. Psychiatrists are always very quick to suggest an SSRI when there is GAD and panic. I'm not the least bit surprised that you doctor felt that Paxil would help. The fact that he wants to introduce the klonopin again is because of the panic attacks that have lead you to agoraphobia. I'm no doctor, but I can understand why he is suggesting this. He wants to ensure that all bases are covered and you can have at least a chance at a full life. You may find after a while that you may not need the paxil but, at least for now, what have you got to lose? You admitted that you can't leave your house right now and certainly aren't living the life you want, why not give it a shot. I had to try various drug before I hit on one that worked for me. What I learned from that, way after the fact, that I confused some drugs as being bad and not working for me when really I was still experiencing side effects of coming off of another drug. I know that now because I am on one of the drugs right now and it is working for me, but I had tried in in the past and thought it was the culprit for more anxiety feelings when it was really the drug I had just come off. Meds are really funny and different for everyone. One may work for you that absolutely wouldn't for me. It is a bit of a stab in the dark as to which one would be right but that stab in the dark is worth it if it lets you have the life you deserve. If you have read this discussion from the beginning, you know that it started with my concern for a friend who has been housebound for approximately 7 years. Please don't let that be you! Do whatever it takes to get out and don't let the fear of medication stop you. I've got news for you, most of us (people with GAD and panic) have a fear of medication and don't want to take it. Even my doctor said that it's always his GAD patients who once they start feeling better, they go off their meds because they think they don't need them anymore. His heart patients wouldn't think of doing that nor his epileptic or thyroid patients...no, it's his GAD patients that take themselves off the meds and then wonder why thy have side effect or that their GAD comes back. You know why it comes back, because it never really went away! It was the medication and the therapy that made them feel better. Now don't get me wrong, some people can go off meds and be great for the rest of their lives and able to control their GAD and then there are people like me who will probably need some sort of medication forever. That used to bother me until I went off all meds and after 5 months decided I'd had enough of trying to prove to myself that I didn't need meds. Many sleepless nights, headaches, panic attacks later, I went back to my doctor and said that I had given it my best shot and now I admit I need medication and here I am back to sleeping well, very few headaches and I haven't had a panic attack since being on my full dose of meds.
I also, want to add that it is not unusual for performers to have anxiety issues. There are alot who have to take a beta blocker or a benzo before they perform. I can't tell you how common this is. Most performers, not all, but most, are like thoroughbreds, they tend to be a little higher strung and have that extra surge of adrenaline. That's what makes them so great.
JS...what an interesting idea...invite a bunch of your anxious friends to come visit. I'll bring the EKG machine and my BP cuff. Now, someone needs to sign up to bring a thermometer and some adult diapers (koff koff). It sounds like fun already! :0)
You aren't that far from me...and I just took a weekend trip to VA in Feb for a baby showe (IN the snow.ack!). It might be like a group therapy outing. The only thing I ask (besides the depends) is that it would be planned well ahead...so we could all cancel and re-schedule about 230 times each!
Seriously, though...I think it would be a great idea....and while it may be a little "weird" at first..I have a feeling we'd all talk till our throats hurt...and prolly have a great time.
Oh, and I concur...I could've down without the elevator story as well. *thud*
Barfer...thanks for the poopy pants tips...lol. I don't have a chronic problem with that or anything...just when panic strikes.....so do my bowels. Triple overtime. Okay...TMI. Some people are afraid of fainting, some afraid of vomiting...I'm afraid of involuntarily "letting loose" in me drawers. ;0)
You aren't that far from me...and I just took a weekend trip to VA in Feb for a baby showe (IN the snow.ack!). It might be like a group therapy outing. The only thing I ask (besides the depends) is that it would be planned well ahead...so we could all cancel and re-schedule about 230 times each!
Seriously, though...I think it would be a great idea....and while it may be a little "weird" at first..I have a feeling we'd all talk till our throats hurt...and prolly have a great time.
Oh, and I concur...I could've down without the elevator story as well. *thud*
Barfer...thanks for the poopy pants tips...lol. I don't have a chronic problem with that or anything...just when panic strikes.....so do my bowels. Triple overtime. Okay...TMI. Some people are afraid of fainting, some afraid of vomiting...I'm afraid of involuntarily "letting loose" in me drawers. ;0)
I was not going to share this, because my Agrophobia was medication induced.
I have never had Agrophobia in my entire life, I was always a very outgoing, outdoors, socilazing person, I have performed in front of large crowds as a musician, National pool tournaments etc.....
I was prescribed .5mg Klonopin one time a night for sleep, I took it for 8 months and weaned myself off using Valium, Ashton manual and the supporto of benzo forums.
I have been benzo free since April 2007,. Within a few weeks, I developed chronic agrophobia, not being able to leave my house at all, and at times hardly able to leave my bedroom, from terrifying fears, sometimes just walking towards my front door will kick off a massive panic attack, having me call an ambulance for assistance, I have been this way for a year now, and slowly starting to venture back out into the world
I still feel as if I am being suffocating, each time I leave the house, and while out of the house. I have visit counseling, psychiatry and nothing seems to help, my doctor tried to put me back on Klonopin and add Paxil, but I am in this condition from taking Klonopin, and terrified to even try another psych med, because of what I am going through now, it's been a living he!!
I truly understand each person dealing with agrophobia, and hope I and all those suffering, work themselves out of agraphobia.
I have never had Agrophobia in my entire life, I was always a very outgoing, outdoors, socilazing person, I have performed in front of large crowds as a musician, National pool tournaments etc.....
I was prescribed .5mg Klonopin one time a night for sleep, I took it for 8 months and weaned myself off using Valium, Ashton manual and the supporto of benzo forums.
I have been benzo free since April 2007,. Within a few weeks, I developed chronic agrophobia, not being able to leave my house at all, and at times hardly able to leave my bedroom, from terrifying fears, sometimes just walking towards my front door will kick off a massive panic attack, having me call an ambulance for assistance, I have been this way for a year now, and slowly starting to venture back out into the world
I still feel as if I am being suffocating, each time I leave the house, and while out of the house. I have visit counseling, psychiatry and nothing seems to help, my doctor tried to put me back on Klonopin and add Paxil, but I am in this condition from taking Klonopin, and terrified to even try another psych med, because of what I am going through now, it's been a living he!!
I truly understand each person dealing with agrophobia, and hope I and all those suffering, work themselves out of agraphobia.
Just a story to share.
When I first started with my anxiety and depression, I had already booked a trip to Italy. I SO DID NOT WANT TO GO!!! It was terrible! My sister had to iron and pack my bags...I couldn't do anything for myself. I felt "stuck" and "paralyzed". My parents said to me, if you are that sick over it, then don't go. I was so wanting to stay home, but I said, No, I HAVE to go. I knew then, that if I didn't go, I would NEVER go anywhere again. It was horrible...I mean it. I had many anxiety attacks on the trip and felt nauseous most of the time. I did have some fun too. (believe it or not)...but no matter what...I didn't die....I didn't have to be hospitalized...I didn't pass out......I MADE IT THROUGH. And that is what I needed to experience...to do it even though it was hard. I have gotten much better through the years, however, I still do suffer at times. But I say to myself that if I didn't push through it, I would never have had my daughter who was adopted from China! I had to take a 17 hour plane ride for her...AND I MADE IT THROUGH.
My point to this story is, you have to face your fear, when you do everything for the agorophobic, you are being an "enabler". I still have difficulty driving far distances now with my daughter (unless my husband is with me). But I plan visits to friends that are far distances and I do it anyway. I can't let it overtake me....because it would be very easy to fall into that trap...way to easy. You have to force yourself, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Baby steps will take you far!
When I first started with my anxiety and depression, I had already booked a trip to Italy. I SO DID NOT WANT TO GO!!! It was terrible! My sister had to iron and pack my bags...I couldn't do anything for myself. I felt "stuck" and "paralyzed". My parents said to me, if you are that sick over it, then don't go. I was so wanting to stay home, but I said, No, I HAVE to go. I knew then, that if I didn't go, I would NEVER go anywhere again. It was horrible...I mean it. I had many anxiety attacks on the trip and felt nauseous most of the time. I did have some fun too. (believe it or not)...but no matter what...I didn't die....I didn't have to be hospitalized...I didn't pass out......I MADE IT THROUGH. And that is what I needed to experience...to do it even though it was hard. I have gotten much better through the years, however, I still do suffer at times. But I say to myself that if I didn't push through it, I would never have had my daughter who was adopted from China! I had to take a 17 hour plane ride for her...AND I MADE IT THROUGH.
My point to this story is, you have to face your fear, when you do everything for the agorophobic, you are being an "enabler". I still have difficulty driving far distances now with my daughter (unless my husband is with me). But I plan visits to friends that are far distances and I do it anyway. I can't let it overtake me....because it would be very easy to fall into that trap...way to easy. You have to force yourself, no matter how uncomfortable it is. Baby steps will take you far!
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