worsening agoraphobia

[brico]

Does anybody else have the feeling of falling off the face of the earth into that huge void called the sky? I have had agoraphobia for 15 years now but lately it has become a bit more acute as pressures from family holidays and trips seem to be getting on top ofme. I actually feel as if I am going insane. The thoughts of going to a beach or a far away place terrify me. I am44 M. I would love to hear from anyone else who experiences this as I have never been able to share my thoughts with anyone on this, but I feel as if I need to start doing something about this now...........Brico

[MrGreen]

15 Years is a long time. I assume you have seen a doctor in all that time? Been put on medication or seen a therapist? When we are down are really down. Things can seem that much harder on us. It can be like life is against us. Harder to climb back up. So easy to spiral downwards. But you have to think about getting back up. Think about a reason for getting back up. Mainly your family. Good enough reason as any. Discuss things out with your wife first off. About holidays. She will understand. She will be there for you. One step at a time. Then maybe, between you both, sit down and draw up a plan of action of how you can fight this. It will include a doctor and medication and maybe some therapy. Distraction is great tool. If we learn how to use it. You are looking ahead of yourself. The holidays. The people there. Lots of noise. All the things you imagine will bring you under. I'd be thinking of my kids. But thinking here and now. Not about next month. Forget next month for now. It is all about day by day. Each day is new beginning. Try set about a plan of action. See if it gets you anywhere. And keep us posted.

[nursegirl6572]

First if all...welcome to the forum.  You couldn't have landed in a better place.  PLEASE know that you are FAR from alone in this.  Agoraphobia is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to anxiety disorders.  It makes us feel so helpless and trapped....and literally going a block away is terrifing.  HOw could that NOT affect us, right?

Just your mention of the beach sent shivers up my spine...ick.  I'm a fellow agoraphobic.  The severity of it for me varies a lot...and personally talk therapy and medications have helped me tremendously.  Everyone is different of course...but for sure the therapy part is usually a great place to start, if you haven't already.

Of course...it isn't that easy...b/c how does one who is afraid to walk to the mailbox get him/herself to a therapy appt in a scary car around evil people?  ;0)

It isn't easy...and you'll likely need some support from your family and friends.  Do NOT suffer in silence.  I did that for the longest time and it was ridiculous.  Even if our loved ones don't exactly "understand"...just their love, support and compassion can help us in so many ways.

For starters....read through the posts on this forum (search with the keyword "agoraphobia"), and you will find a lot of information.  Also...a lot of us have written journals about our own personal experiences, how WE have overcome...or at least how we're "working it"...a few of mine are about agoraphobia.  Unfortunately I've had a lot of experience with it.  I hope reading them will give you some insight and some ideas.

Come here...share what you feel comfortable in sharing....and let this group of great people, who have a lot in common with you...support you and help you...and in turn...you can do the same for others.  You'd be surprised at how much you have to offer other people in the same boat.  But, tell us what you have done in the past...what have you tried?  Are you currently on any meds?  Therapy?  Let us get to know you a little bit better.

Lastly...for now....do NOT beat yourself up.  We anxious people are GREAT at that.  Be kind to yourself.  We cannot help WHO we are and HOW we are...just like you couldn't help it if you had diabetes, or high blood pressure.  Just because it isn't a "physical ailment" doesn't make it any less of a "condition".  We are sooo very hard on ourselves...forever feeling like we have let everyone down...and feeling :"stupid" for not being able to do the every day things everyone else in the world does without even thinking about.  

Well...guess what?  It isn't "everyone"...because there are a LOT of us out there....every one of us normal and "sane" people trying to figure out how to get through it...all of us at different points in our "recovery".  It can be done...I've COMPLETELY overcome it *several* different times.  It always seems to come back...but each time I am better and better equipped to smack it down.

Hang in there....you are among friends....and people who know exactly how you feel.  Glad you are here.