Agoraphobia Support Group

i am new to this forum but i would love to know if there is an end to all this agoraphobia? i have had panic attacks for about 8 years and now im afraid to drive my car even to the store....how do we end this?

I would say what has worked for many of us is taking baby steps toward whatever goal we're trying to reach. If the goal is driving to the store, you could start out just sitting in your car, then maybe backing out of the driveway, and so on until you're finally driving all the way to the store. The only catch is that it can take a very long time, so long that sometimes it may not seem like it's working. My progress has come over a period of years... At one point when I was homebound it took the better part of six months to be comfortable walking three blocks down the street to buy something in the gas station.

So don't give up! Just take it slow and know it will eventually get easier.

iappreciate the help any little bit helps. do i take medication? or do you?

I do take medication, it definitely makes a big difference. I would say tranquilizers like Xanax or Klonopin do the best job of relieving anxiety quickly, but doctors are becoming more and more wary of prescribing them. Still, if your anxiety level is high you should be able to get a prescription. They are very good at relieving anxiety and helping you get to stores, etc.

I also take an anti-depressant and sometimes an anti-psychotic. Anti-depressants are prescribed routinely for anxiety, but I can't say they've made a huge difference for me. If anything they may be helping with depression a bit. The anti-psychotic I've been on in the past has made me a bit more stable, but it can definitely make you lethargic at time.

Lots of people do fight agoraphobia without meds, but finding the right mix of meds really can make all the difference in the world.

this is great help im just having a tough time dealing with it? i cant even make it to the doctors

That's a tough one... I had the same trouble in the beginning. Honestly I kept canceling appointments until I finally found a doctor that did house calls, and even that was pretty rough. Unfortunately most areas don't have that option. The only way to get help may be to just bite the bullet and force yourself in to a doctor appointment.

Do you have someone that could go with you? That may help with getting there. And anything else you can do to make the appointment easier is a good idea. In the past I have gone and checked out doctor's offices the day before just so I would know exactly how everything was setup, etc.

These days going to the doctor is the one thing I never cancel, regardless of how hard it may be, mostly because I know without the medication I'm never going to get anywhere. And remember, the agoraphobia is why you're going there in the first place. You don't have to worry about freaking out, they've seen panic attacks before. If you're having a problem when you go, just tell them. They may be able to make things easier for you.

There have been quite a few of us that were homebound and even roombound. I was for a while. It takes time, effort, therapy, meds, patience and trust. It IS possible to live a life within the outside world.

One step at a time.

Do you have a therapist or counselor?

Do you take meds?

What type of coping skills do you have?

Welcome to the group

Cheryl

i have no clue how to set this stuf up its all new to me..ive had panic attacks for a while and the worst thing was i avoided highways and that was pety much it...but now im scared to drive down the road..i have anti depressants but im afraid to take them if that makes any sence

what do you think is the best road to take?? i want my life back i have a 14 year old daughter im afraid to go anywhere so im being a terrable father

Having a medication phobia actually seems pretty common among people with anxiety. All I can tell you is that even if you have side effects, they probably won't be much worse than the anxiety you're already feeling.

As far as the best road to take, hands down the best results come from cognitive-behavioral therapy -- taking "baby steps" like I was talking about. You just go a bit further each time and slowly become more comfortable going out. Medication can help to a point, but it's pretty hard to recover without desensitizing yourself from the situations that cause you panic.