Agoraphobia - Looking to hear your experiences

Sorry @tyme Meant to tag you in that post😊.

Wow @Louie333 . I can't believe how much I can relate to the over stimulated talking talking... so much so, my sister thought I was a social butterfly and loved hanging out! If only she could read that it was my anxiety talking, and not me!

I avoid social situations where I can. I socialise as part of work, OR the other thing is the kids. I take the kids out and that helps ease my anxiety.

I feel that if I slowly stopped going out, then I'd be back to square one where I didn't go anywhere for years. Now that I'm out, I'm careful not to coop up at home.

Oh, you too! @tyme And my sister always thought exactly the same! She is also agoraphobic but will go to certain places as long at is with someone trusted. I freak her out because she just can't understand how I can enter into a million anxiety driven overcompensating social butterfly conversations.

I sometimes have thought people mistake it for intoxication, it sort of can feel like that.

I once did an impromptu mime followed by a monologue performance act in a busy shoe shop in Newtown, it was entirely because I was beyond stressed out of my mind, no one would have guessed😂

Definitely taking kids out helps a lot. Before last Christmas we were disco ice skating. It is very real, once you slide back into not going out, it is really hard to avoid falling into another long cycle. Might have to sharpen the skates in the hopes this long cycle breaks.

I have a fear of driving further than 15 minutes from home. Did something radical and drove 40 minutes today. Managed to side swipe a metal post due to being anxious but still, a start! Figuring if that fear can be overcome then getting to where to I know no one might help.

I am so glad you are out even though it is not easy!

Hi @Louie333 @tyme

It's strange how we react differently to being over stimulated. I would never dream of talking to someone I know let alone a stranger. The more I can just become unseen, the better.

Even going out with hubby and friends, I struggle to connect. I just try to blend into the background.

@Louie333 well done on the drive. Sounds like you really stepped out of your comfort zone.

Wishing you both a good day today. Have hairdressers today. Lucky going there is not anxiety provoking.

Pretty impressive, the both of you ! @Snowie @Louie333 !

@tyme @Louie333 me today

😔

Arghhh.... I hear and feel the feeling @Snowie

At other times, I just don't think about it so I can get out.

So true.. it's too 'peoply' out there. I'm sure @Louie333 can also agree 🙂

And look, maybe it's not 'wrong' to feel this way? Are we being too hard on ourselves becuase we just don't want to be around people?

I'm not sure if it is wrong @tyme

My psych tells me to get out of the house, go for a walk, go down the street, catch up with a friend. It's good for you she says.

Besides going to the supermarket maybe once or twice a week, I rarely do these things.

I hear it's 'good', but to what extent? @Snowie

Is it ''wrong" to have a quieter personality?

I can see the issue when it stops you from living, but I'm not sure it's wrong not to necessarily like going out.

I reckon if I had a choice, I'd just stay home all day.... stay in my PJs.

Even when I go for a walk, I prefer to go myself or with the kids. I don't like going with other adults.

I've always had a quieter personality @tyme

Growing up I never really had friends. I was never close to anyone.

Even now I don't have any friends. If we go out with others then it is always hubby's friends.

Since my MH issues, besides hubby and professionals, I have never had someone irl ask how I am.