Isolated

Hello @Silent1

I'm glad that you've found this space to share what you're going through and want to take a moment to welcome you here.

It's so disheartening to hear that your GP has expressed that they're too busy to continue helping you. I know that many GPs are being stretched very thin and I hope you know that this isn't a reflection on you and your needs, rather it's a reflection on the healthcare system at the moment and what needs to change. Having said that, I know that there are GPs out there who are able to help, or at least ones who will provide you with a referral to ensure that you're receiving care even if they aren't in a position to give it at that time.

Did you and your GP ever talk about reaching out to a psychologist?

These challenges you're facing aren't something you need to go through alone. Reaching out here has been a really great first step, and we are here to support you, though to ensure that you're getting the level of support you need here I really encourage you to keep on taking steps towards to creating a support network for yourself, starting with having a look for another GP and speaking with them about a mental health care plan, which enables you to have up to 10 subsidised session with a psychologist per year.

Does this sound like something that you're able to work towards?

I just wanted to welcome you to the forum @Silent1 and say you're not alone in feeling isolated, although I don't experience agoraphobia, I can understand how difficult how hard that must make things. Health issues making it harder to walk too far I am also experiencing.

I was going to suggest the same thing as @Ru-bee about asking the GP for a mental health care plan to get 10 subsidised visits to talk to a psychologist. My GP put me on one earlier this year and while I had limited success with it, it was helpful for me and reduced the cost quite significantly. I even had the option of doing the consults over the phone, which may be easier for you find leaving the house for an appointment too difficult.

Other than that, people here are happy to listen and support you. I've found this group extremely helpful. Even just to have somewhere that I can reach out to and feel like I have a connection to other people has been a big improvement for me. I wish you all the best in finding support that helps you the most.

Hi Silent1. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I don't have agoraphobia but I have isolated myself for years because of combined mental health and physical health issues. I am currently doing exposure therapy.

Have you thought about trying some small exercises with weights/food cans/milk cartons or a theraband in your home? Step up and down for a couple of minutes? What about doing house chores on a regular basis (daily)?

Other things I tried was setting a goal to go somewhere I liked every day. Didn't matter when/what time. Just go there and come back.

As @Ru-bee and @MJG017 mentioned, you should be able to get access to a mental health plan for a psychologist. You may need to find your own psychologist online prior to seeing your GP and see if they offer phone/video sessions for you. The psychologist may be able to refer you to a nurse/social worker who could visit your home once a week/fortnight and you can ask them to take you out on walks or whatever else you would like to achieve.

Hope this helps.

HI @Silent1

Welcome to the forums 🙂

Others have given you some good steps to take.

Some local community centres have a coffee and chat social hour or two. You can bring knitting or a book, etc. There is also the option of volunteering in some capacity. Do you like animals? You might be able to volunteer at a shelter for a couple hours?

I did like the suggestion of walking around with tins and shopping in the house 🙂 Or you could put on one or two songs every day and dance. One little routine change. Start small.

I understand how frustrating it is to deal with the health system, and with limited options. I also find myself not socialising much now, after years of chronic illness.

Hopefully the connections will come together for you again, when you're ready 🌸