Hi Lauren, did you still use antidepressants while recovering from agoraphobia and doing exposure therapy? I’m currently doing exposure therapy while off my antidepressant and it’s quite hard, I’m curious if you’re still on yours or if you managed to recover without using them anymore. Thanks 😊
Thank you so much for making this, when you took any of the medication did you found it actually made your anxiety worse at all? I'm currently on day 3 of an antidepressant and I feel like I'm going so far backwards it's hard to keep taking it
Really good discussion, Lauren. I certainly feel like there are times that I've pushed too far and encountered more than a panic attack, but a traumatic panic event. Your discussion here makes me question how much of that trauma was caused by me rigidly trying to push through, versus how much was the actual situation itself being "too much". Either way, these traumatic panic events have definitely set me back, or introduced a new set of PTSD-like symptoms that I've had to dismantle over time. I guess where I'm going with this (sorry, I'm formulating my thoughts on the fly a little here, again, thanks to your thought provocative video), is that I do believe that you can push "too far". But if your goal in exposure therapy is to avoid discomfort, then you're simply re-enforcing your boundaries and building those boundaries stronger. The goal of exposure therapy should always be to experience discomfort and practice using the tools that alleviate it. Hopefully that makes sense!
I hear you, John, and I appreciate your insights, too. It’s a really hard time to strike a balance - when you are trying to do something you are physically, emotionally and mentally afraid of, so there is a need there to “encourage” yourself in a firm way but then also wanting to soften and accept the feelings, which we are so hardwired to avoid. It is hard to know if the trauma is more due to that rigidity, as you say, or due to the flooding of fear - it seems more likely to be the flooding of fear for sure! I think I spent a long time holding back, just doing tiny bits at a time whenever I felt the teeniest bit capable, but when I took a big leap and flew overseas - even though it was a LOT, I was sort of soothed to find that my panic had been not much different than the panic I had back home. It was all the same fear, really. But perhaps that was just that particular circumstance. Regardless, I respect your experiences and the resulting point of view, and 100% agree about the goal of exposure!
6+ years for me, i have a disabled pug and i cant help but blame myself for stopping his walks, i can hardly look after myself because of my mental health, i also have really bad health anxiety but my bowels for a year have been very concerning and yet i'm too scared to get help for it so i hope one day the universe helps me but for now, i just accept whatever happens, happens for a reason😪 i got emotional at how relatable your story was, i missed out on so much, even saying goodbye to two dear family members, agoraphobia is such a cruel disease, so glad you found your way 'NOT HOME' 😂🙏🏻❤️🩹
I would give a kidney without anesthetic to be able to travel in a CAR by myself and take my dog to the local shopping centre which is 7 mins drive away. It’s been more than 11 years and I still can’t do it
I hear a lot of passion, and a lot of drive in your words. No idea what time it is where you are, but can you make a step towards this right now?? I am here for you. I know there is so much in you that feels afraid, but there is obviously so much in you that knows exactly what you want and understands that there will be some pain involved in getting there. It's ok to feel the discomfort. It's ok to feel scared. It's ok to get in the car and have your hands shake and your breath catch in your chest. You look over at your doggo and you say, Lets try this, you and me. You just stay open to feeling the worst of it. I promise you, the frustration of WANTING to do it and not doing it feels 100x worse than the actual process of doing it.
@@LaurenRose. Awww Lauren 😭😭 you have no idea what these words mean to me. I live in Melbourne, Australia. I also have a medical procedure coming up in less than 2 weeks. I am petrified of just getting there eventhough my parents are taking me. This is not a life
Agoraphobia is the complication of anxiety disorder or panic attacks. The presenting symptoms may be physical, behavioral or cognitive. Ayurvedic medicines can help a great deal in this situation. Planet Ayurveda’s stress support capsules, ashwagandha and tulsi capsules along with detox tea will strengthen the nervous system in order to combat with this condition.
My situation is very different. I am homebond more so because I fear the outside world. Every time I walk outside I feel like people are after me. Not to mention I have had issues with drug addiction in the past. My neighbors do not like me very well. There’s a lot of aggressive people around my area and I fear that I am going to get into a fight. I got into a situation with a neighbor last year and I am on probation.
Gotta remind myself; There is no such perfect time to go out 1. They’re not thinking about me and have their own lives 2. I don’t always need validated emotion from another person 3. It’s okay if I am by myself doing a thing out there 4. You are not being seen doing anything wrong 5. You’ve been alone in an apartment this long. What’s the difference?
I'm the exact same right now. It's terrifying how I can be so desperate before going to bed yet when I wake up my brain tells me everything is fine just sit at your desk again.
Hi! I've been dealing with this for 10 years and I'm at a breaking point starting exposure therapy. Is there any way I can contact you and ask you a few questions about life after agoraphobia?
I feel like you’ve just read my story word for word! I started getting agoraphobia symptoms after lockdown and I became housebound last year. It started getting better for me with walks, going further as soon as I felt more comfortable. It’s been 9ish months and I can now drive around my town (mostly), I’ve been to the gym, went shopping the other day, things I could only have dreamed of a few months ago. Some stuff is still a no go and it’s such a longgg process but thank you for giving me some hope that it is possible to get back to normal. Also a hugeeee well done to you, it’s so much harder than people will know.
Hi ☺️ I have just made a video response to this question! (Or, my thoughts on it, at least) Hope it is helpful ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fjt4rcoyto4.html
I’ve struggeled with this since I was 10. I’m 23 and can count on 1 hand the amount of times I’ve slept away from the house. I’ve missed out on travel, college, and work opportunities. I don’t have friends anymore. After so many years of living a shell I honestly don’t know what my next steps will look like.
Thank you so much for this message and your videos in general ❤ I experience really harsh physical symptoms with agoraphobia and it's been so hard getting out into the world again. At first I thought there must be something going on with my heart or my gut and I got so many medical tests done, but they all concluded the same: it was a pretty extreme psychosomatic anxiety. Now I know I just need to learn that it's okay to feel nauseous or dizzy or agitated while doing all those things that scare me but I really want to do (like traveling or hiking). It's not about fighting anxiety but embracing it without so much suffering. Your videos are helping me a lot, I wish you the best!!
I’ve been like this since the start of pandemic in 2020, I’ve left my home a handful of times from then to now…the thing that stops me is I feel like I’m going to burst out in tears and I hate crying in front of people. I make it a couple houses up and then that feeling comes over me and I turn back around. I want to enjoy life again. I have hope, I hate feeling like a prisoner.
I wonder how many people have similar stories to yours. Lost in the obvious scientific part of the pandemic, and the horrible fact that it was politicized, is the mental health toll it has taken. It’s just not healthy to feel trapped, to feel confined, and for those of us who have dealt with anxiety through our lives, a pandemic is the last thing we needed. Yes, the pandemic is technically over but those other aspects remain. I for one understand how this horrible experience has taken, and is still taking, a toll on the sensitive among us. You’re not alone.
Wow. The alien feeling of seeing other people have fun. Yes. I oscillate between extremes. I face terror and go to events and have a blast. But then I wake up the next morning and feel frozen again. Every day is a battle beyond words. I’m fucking tired.
It’s been over two years since my agoraphobia journey started. I couldn’t leave my home for months and it took a lot of exposure and practice to feel more comfortable leaving the house. I have now traveled to San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Corpus, basically all over Texas by Vehicle. My next big step is flying. What scares me about flying is the thought of not being able to get off if I need to. I just don’t want to feel the intensity of a panic attack mid-flight and create a scene. I’m also afraid of landing at my destination and immediately regretting being so far away from home. As mentioned in the video, these are just creative ways that our mind thinks of in order to hold us back, to keep us “safe” when in reality we are safe. I’m scheduling a discovery flight this coming week for exposure and practice with flying. I can now leave my home comfortably, I can go out, I can do road trips. Now I just need to fly so I can travel.
I know exactly how you feel with the feelings of hopelessness. My anxiety keeps going in cycles of suddenly getting really bad and then even going anywhere out the house feels awful 😮💨 almost 30 and the panic/agoraphobia hasn’t improved overall greatly
I'm sorry to hear that, Ellie. The cycles can be a lot and it can be so jarring to go from generally good to that debilitating fear again. Sending you love while you navigate this period of new (and uncomfortable) growth. ❤️
I can relate so much!!! I’ve suffered with health anxiety / agoraphobia for 4 years now. But looking back to how I used to be, I’ve come on so far!! My goal that my therapist asked, was to be able to fly to Greece from the UK to see my parents. In April 2024, I flew, by myself (and my daughter) to Greece and I made it! Every little win keeps you going and makes you realise that it is really just in your head. That little anxiety voice that used to be shouting at me, is now a little whisper 😁👍 wishing everyone struggling the best and keep going!!!
I think I also have agoraphobia-panic-anxiety attacks because I really get to have the attacks, meaning, out of breath, hyperventilating and all. I can go out of the house if it’s our familial house we’re referring to, i can walk up to the market and convenience store but when I stay at our couple’s house which is farther from my comfort zone, i could not even go to the corner lot alone unless I have someone with me who knows my condition. I resigned from work because Ive become anti social in a way. I could not commute for years already and could not go out far away from home alone. I could not drive anymore along the highways because I get scared when it’s traffic, i begin to feel suffocated and claustrophobic. Now we’re scheduled to travel far but im really really scared to go even if i’d be with someone who knows my condition. I avoid a lot of situations that I feel so unsafe. I think im partially agoraphobic and at the same time have stress related panic something. I hope I could also help myself because I also feel alone and helpless. Plus the fact i have never tried riding an airplane because im scared that i might have attacks and the plane could not land to help me. 😢
This is literally the same thing I’m going through. I’ve tried many medications I tried CBT none of which helped. The only thing that helps along with my current Ssri is benzos and they’re so addictive so I need to be careful with them. It’s a vicious circle. I’m going to try exposure therapy. It’s so hard to start just thinking about having panic attacks 😩 I need to do it though! You’re an inspiration
I just want to say a huge thank you for making this video. Although I’m not completely homebound, I cannot get on public transport without panic attacks and the thoughts of how I will be so anxious and scarred that I won’t be able to get the return journey. This has now affected me everytime I drive myself anywhere. I have also read DARE and as you say the motivation you get from books is amazing. I just wanted to ask though what do you think is different between what DARE suggests you do vs what you did. You still just put yourself out there and made yourself experience the anxiety and panic. I find if I expose myself on days I don’t feel like it and have a super hard time, I actually make things worse and trigger more anxiety. I’ve noticed this when I’ve really made an extreme jump in with exposure therapy. However if I don’t do it, I feel like a failure and that I’m making things worse because I gave into the anxiety so it seems like a loose loose for me. On those harder days where you decided to not do the difficult things were you just kind to yourself and say there’s always tomorrow, today just isn’t a great day? All the books and therapy suggest this isn’t the best way but sometimes it’s just too much, I force it, then for a week or so my anxiety is way worse from forcing through the panic! I really appreciate this video and your insights and I’m glad you are much better!!! 🫶
Thank you for this video. I’m currently struggling with a bout of bad agoraphobia. I just started daily walks, I’m hoping I can come around soon and be able to start living my life again.
This has been sooooo helpful! I have developed agoraphobia after being ill in a foreign country (where I moved to with so much excitement and enthusiasm almost two years ago), for three months. I got so used to hiding and not interacting with people except for essentials. I have to just get out and see my world again, and stop searching for fix its, which I have been obsessively doing. Thank you!
I have my sisters wedding in a week and ive been slowly driving towards the venue. It is only an 18 minute drive from my house but it just feels impossible. I am terrified that I wont make it there or that I will ruin the wedding somehow. The most terrifying thing for me above all else is the drive and I mean both drives the one to the venue and the one home. For some reason lately the drive home is sometimes just as bad and my main anxiety symptom that I am feeling besides panic is the intense tight rippling feeling over my heart almost like its being squeezed. I tapered off medication last year and have just been trying to get better. I took medication for 6 years and they only made me worse and I mean a lot worse. Ive had anxiety since I was a kid but nothing compares to the attacks I had on medication and the ones I am currently having even though the attacks since stopping have been a fraction better.
I need some help from the ladies here, This is embarrasing for me to say but I really do need advice. I’m 12 turning 13 next month, and I got my first period about 6 weeks ago and it wasn’t that bad, until I needed to shit. I had terrible anxiety that when I went I would bleed and it made me terrified and I ended up having constipation for days and days which made me feel so uncomfortable. My body finally forced me to go and it was awful I felt like I was gonna throw up and it was painful and scary. I got my second on the 14th, and I have this same phobia. I tried to change my mindset but I can’t and the same thing is happening and I’m scared of bleeding loads. I’m in discomfort and it’s making my cramps worse. I really do not know how to solve this and I fear what’s going to happen and my next period and it’s making me miserable. Please help me and give me tips ☹️
This is what I love about RU-vid…you know you are not alone! And people from all over the world go through the same thing. :) thank you. I have been dealing with anxiety and my triggers are ever-changing, I do not know what I will be fearing next - peeing, pooing, difficulty in breathing, fear of having a heart attack hahaha I am amazed I am still here battling it on! 😂I think one of the things that helped me was humor hahahaha just trying to laugh at the silliness of it all while going through it.
This is me! Mine started with dizziness and has left me housebound for 15 years. I’m scared to go out alone because the anxiety is so great that I feel Like I will faint and humiliate myself. Thanks for your story and input. Slow and steady but I’ll get there:)
Hi 😢 I’m a teacher in Malaysia, and recently I’ve been feeling exactly as you have described in your video. It started around November 2023. At first, I didn’t know what it was.. after doing some research, I realised it’s called toilet anxiety. It’s more like “what if I need to go, is there a toilet nearby?” I’ve also been observing myself, often when I feel trapped like in someone else’s car or a taxi or bus (a situation where I can’t control), the feeling will seep in, my heart will beat faster and faster and at some point, I really feel like crying as I start thinking, what if I need to go to the toilet now? Recently, my hand start shaking, but I tried to hide it and distract myself by watching RU-vid so that my friend didn’t notice (we’re in a taxi). Once, it was in the middle of manicure pedicure session, the water was warm and there’s a fan blowing straight to my face, my body just didn’t feel good, I asked the staff to stop and rushed to the toilet, luckily the toilet is just next door. I also feel like I can no longer go anywhere without checking is there a toilet nearby, even when my friend uploaded her trip in Japan on Instagram, I would ask “Is it difficult to find public toilets there?” I am not like this before. I used to go camping, hiking and travelling. I even used to travel by bus long distance when I was a student. Now, I’m starting to hate myself… As a teacher, sometimes we need to travel by bus with the students, I always fear that day will come, and I feel stressed thinking about it. In my country (Malaysia), people have started to recognise mental health treatment, but normally it’s related to other causes like the loss of loved ones or depression from studying etc not something like toilet anxiety. I’m so afraid that people will ridicule me if I tell them how I feel. I’m really worried….
I'm going thru this now, I'm starting to have my breakdowns since covid I have gone downhill fast. Been stuck in my house for 4 yrs now. Also, the world the way it is now makes it even more challenging. Many folks not very nice currently due to political reasons (I'm gay, so doesn't help even had a dentist treat me badly because of my lifestyle, clash in belief system & I'm not religious I digress...) I've had this before 10 years ago when I had to leave abusive EX....but anxiety wasn't as bad - luckily, I have wife is dr. and I have therapy but I lack friends as many are lone gone because of the pandemic and other reasons unknown.--It's been hell for me- I try to go out and sometimes I'm able but last couple of months is just not good. I do have panic disorder and have meds but I still have to deal with sudden attacks. For me, medication is necessary. Thanks for sharing.
