Agoraphobia Support Group

Hi. My name is Connie, and I've struggled with agoraphobia for many years. I have gotten tremendous healing for anxiety and panic attacks through my motivation and the help of a few wonderful therapists. I know that this can increase and lessen, and I'm at a 'stuck' spot now.

I can't seem to even do daily chores around the house, and it's maddening! This has never happened before. It used to be that I could do ANYTHING in the house -- it was just leaving the house sometimes that was so difficult -- getting the mail, etc.

I work and everything but on my days off, like today, I only feel 'safe' either in my bedroom or sitting on the couch. I don't want to make any unnecessary noise. And yes, it all goes back to childhood. I know I have a chemical imbalance, too, but this setback really is getting to me!

Any suggestions for feeling safe just walking around your own house and getting things accomplished??

Thx much, and am so glad to have found others who won't think I'm nuts!

Connie

Welcome, welcome, welcome! So glad you found us! I'm sorry there won't be as much traffic today as there usually is...football Sunday and all. Most of us, I think Anna is the exception, are football nuts! I have trouble with getting chores done also. Not that I can't move around the house, I just get that close one eye and slightly jittery feeling when I am up and around for too long. I spend ENTIRELY too much time on this computer! lol

You will gets lots of great advice and tons of warm welcomes here. Just knowing all these people here understand and truly care really makes a difference!

Welcome again Connie! Have a great day!

Angie

Thanks so much, Angie, for your kind note. I'm sitting here in tears about the cleaning thing. Just getting your message helps so much. I spend too much time on the computer as well

I'll let you get back to football!!! Because I live in Denver, I should be a "Go Broncos" fan, but I had so much of the Chicago Bears growing up -- I'd rather watch a good drama or listen to Beatles music

I know that a good cry helps sometimes. Thx for the caring...

I love your Superwoman costume. I'm gutsy, too, but just to a point... I have a shy side, too.

Connie,

Sometimes for me when everything else just doesn't seem to work I go to Pandora.com and listen to some music. Just get lost into the music for a little while and not to worry about anything else even for a couple of songs. Guess you could call it meditating Kody style lol. This seems to be things a bit together for me.

As the Beatles would say And anytime you feel the pain, hey Connie, refrain, Dont carry the world upon your shoulders.

I replaced your name with Jude. I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

Very clever! And Paul McC is my hearthrob!!!!!!

I like Pandora, too. Also, watching 'The View'. I love Whoppi Goldberg.

Have a nice rest of Sunday. We've got stormclouds over the metro area. I love rain, tho!

Hi Connie,

It's nice to have you with us here. I would say that one thing I hvae done when I feel anxiety about getting up and about. I get my ipod and wear it while I am cleaning and just sing and think about other things. It has really seemed to help a lot.

Hi Connie, A big warm welcome to you!

Now for the important stuff. Are you married? What color is your hair? How old are you? Do you have a sense of humor? (geez, I hope so)

I'm just kidding with ya! You're gonna love this place. There's just a great balance of serious support and advice and down right raw humor. It's these girls here that seem to get a little rowdy. I can see already you're gonna fit right in! So welcome and I'll meet ya at a post! (what?)

Connie

I'm sure I'm not the best one to give you advice about feeling safe in your house but I sure can relate. I feel the same way only for me it's my oversized recliner! I had a fall this past winter and broke my knee-cap. Needless to say it was a big setback for me. I spent weeks stuck in this chair on my keester. My son did the house work my neice did the shopping. It was an agoraphobic dream come true! The pain meds had some nasty side affects though. Just in the last few weeks I have healed enough not to have to use a scooter in the store to shop. It made my agoraphobia worse much worse. I find myself unsure on my feet as well as the anxiety inside me. I have lost the ability to walk around much at all.

I have decided that tomorrow is the day I will begin to keep up with my housework. I might even get some intentional exercise! But I will remember baby stepps.

While I'm at it welcome to all the new members!

Kathy you have been gone longer than me. Fling with the painter?

I 'observed' (wink, wink) that there are those on this forum that hint at you being a 'ladies man'. When I read all that you have written, I thought. . . Pshaw! They HAVE to be talking about some other man!

But, seriously. . . yes, I do have a good sense of humor. I grew up on the South Side of Chicago. You either cultivate a sense of humor, or it all starts to go downhill.

.

Thank you for the warm welcome and the ??????????????s I must say that, as a teacher, this is your first warning! Any more sly comments or questions and it's off to the principal's office for you!

Just kidding. Have a great week from a person in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I just completed my Playlist on this site (thanks to Anna, who told me how to do it). The songs can give you an idea of who I am and what is important to me.

Peace and love,

Connie

Thank you, Hope. It helps when someone reminds me about 'baby steps'. Have a great tomorrow, but don't push yourself. I work with the sweetest, most fun two-year-old and we're going shopping for tempera paint and other art supplies tomorrow. Such fun! I never feel anxious when I do outings with Mitch. He is a sweetheart. No 'terrible twos' for him. Now...if I could meet an adult man with the same qualities...

Connie