Agoraphobic for 10 year's,the last time i was social i was 14 year's old

Hi matt,

             I have very severe anxiety and i also have agoraphobia, i am trying to battle it but at the moment it is really gripping me.

You need help, i know it is incredibly hard to get it if leaving the house is impossible for you at the moment and I don't know where you live but do you have a doctor who is willing to visit you at home?

Please don't think that because you have been unwell for a long time that you can never recover, the person who has been unwell for a long time has had more time to collect bad memories and to feel deep despair but there is no other difference in you than a person who has only been suffering for a short time, you are still entirely treatable.

Medication can make a huge difference but of course you will need a doctor for that, therapy is key too and some therapists are willing to work with you online or over the phone, it's so important to make a start but you need guiding as you go if possible.

Can I ask what feelings you get if you approach the door? I know it's anxiety and I know just how crippling that is but in order to tackle the feelings it's important to understand exactly what they are and how you can challenge them.

A person with a racing heart and shaking legs will need to be taught  that those sensations are awful but not harmful and any therapist will tell you that when you first try to go out, that first foot over the door, you will panic and the only way to eventually overcome it is to feel it until it scares you less and eventually fades.

It's not easy and it takes a lot of time, I know how scary it is to do something when absolute terror holds you back from it but please believe me that it is entirely possible to do it, you just have to do it in a very gradual way.

No need to rush, rushing wont help, we are talking baby steps here, one foot over the door whilst still touching it a few times each day is a start and at this point a start is all you need to do, as you become less afraid you put both feet out, then take a few steps away from the door and so it goes on until you build it up to go further.

I do really feel you would benefit from medication though, something to calm you would certainly help you to start  those small steps, I hope you are able to get a doctor to visit you, we have so many meds that can ease anxiety now and when things are this acute medication is very valuable in recovery.