Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia

heh my first anything! I have had agoraphobia and panic disorder for over 11 years but the past 9 years have been intense. I barely even go into my own yard... it really doesn't help that each time I go outside I hear my neighbours talking about how I am outside- worse those people are very open about disliking me so yeah it's no wonder I have gotten worse. I don't have any advice except don't cut off the people in your life. I got cut off and now I feel trapped and lonely. So keep your people, explain your situation and if you can get advice from someone that can tell you how your friends can help you without pressure. I would beg you to do it. I'm absolutely certain that you don't want to end up like me. I wish you the best and I believe you will be strong enough to maintain your circle of support and hope for your future

Hi @Lou_Pee, welcome to the forums! 😊

Thank you for sharing a little about what you've been experiencing. It sounds like you've been carrying a lot with the Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia, and I can understand why it would feel isolating when so many everyday things can be difficult even when you're still managing to work and function.

You're definitely not alone here, and I'm sure you'll find others who can relate to what you're experiencing and share what has helped them along the way.

I'm really glad you've joined us and reached out!

Hi @RhiAl, welcome to the forums! 😊

Thank you for sharing your experience and for being so open with Lou_Pee. It sounds like you've been dealing with agoraphobia and panic disorder for a really long time, and feeling isolated from the people around you must be incredibly difficult

I really hope being here gives you an opportunity to connect with others who understand what you're going through and helps you feel a little less alone. Thank you for reaching out and supporting another new member too 😊

Hi @Lou_Pee, I'm wondering if https://arcvic.org.au may help a bit.

As psychology students, I think this is an important topic to study because panic disorder and agoraphobia can affect both emotional wellbeing and everyday functioning. Understanding possible symptoms, triggers, and evidence-based approaches can help us develop a better perspective as future professionals. I was also researching <a href="https://www.theresearchguardian.com/au/do-my-assignment-australia/">write my assignment australia</a> while studying related academic topics, and discussions like this are useful for exploring psychological concepts in more depth.

Hi Rhi AI, thanks for replying. I don’t really have ‘physical’ friends these days, so I already feel the lonely. I didn’t leave my house for 2 years, so I hear you there as well. I started walking out to the letterbox….much like a skiddish cat………. .every….single…….day.

Even when my skin was crawling, even when I wanted to do a nervous pee, even when my heart rate was high, even when I didn’t think I could breathe and my throat tightened. But one day without any expectation I walked a little slower, over time I breathed a little easier and now I can do things I never thought I would do again. I still can’t do everything, but we need to fight and practice…..

every…….single…..day……

Thank you so much for reaching out and letting me know I’m not alone. x

I couldn’t access your link as it came up that it wasn’t safe. Is there perhaps another way?

I feel it’s super hard for psychologists who have never experienced what we experience to grasp what’s happening on the inside. The closest I could explain it as is like this; Feeling as though you’re drowning whilst being expected to achieve the set tasks whilst appearing to be socially ‘normal’ so as to not draw attention to the fact that you’re actually drowning. Meanwhile your muscles are tightening, your shoulders are twisting and your head refuses to look up to see what’s actually going on around you out of fear that you’ll see something that you can’t handle or someone that you know (who will want to talk to you, which you can’t handle whilst you’re drowning). Make sense?

Please don’t get me wrong, I have a psychologist and he’s very important to me. He is a friend that I pay for, but he can’t ‘fix’ or ‘guide me’ through recovery….only I walk the path.

If I can help in any way please let me know.

Hi I use to be very outgoing. But now I haven’t left the home in at least 8 years. Everything is done through my home. I I only know a hand full of people and have no friends. I know I’m not going to cope when my kids leave who are all adults now and it scares me.

Hi there @DeLoneRanger

We wanted to take this opportunity to welcome you to the forums 👋

We hope that you find the forums a great place to connect with other members, share stories and ideas, and find the support and connection you deserve.

Feel free to Introduce yourself here if you haven’t already!

We look forward to seeing you around on the forums!

i dont have much to add, but you are not alone, i came here because i also feel the same way, ive had agrophoia since march this year due to a near death expericne from a car accident (head-on collision) ive been terrifed to even go to my own bins out the front. i cant be near roads, no way could i get into a car without sprialling. life has been so isolating and i just, dont see how recovery is possible when the town i live in has exteremly limited resources and i'm viewed as " too complex" to help. :(