Mild Agoraphobia?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I have not been "out out" since February of this year. I've gone a few places but I left before it got too late, and I felt like I couldn't really enjoy myself. I felt like I was going explode. I got home and checked my blood pressure and it was pretty high. I'm just worried about having a panic attack while out or driving. I can get up and go to work with no problem and go certain places during the day that don't require alot of activity, but when it comes to getting out and having fun with my friends I can't do it. I'm just too scared something will happen. My 25th birthday is next month and I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy it. My doctor has prescribed me Lexapro and xanax (which I'm too scared to take) what should I do? If I can go to work and all that why can't I get out at night? Please help!

1 like, 18 replies

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  • Posted

    Hi there,

    Read Jenni's new discussion about lexapro.

    Don't be afraid to take prescribed meds - you need them at the moment.

    Love Tess xxx

    • Posted

      I know but I can't help it. I don't want it to make my anxiety worse or cause suicidal thoughts or give me bad side effects.

    • Posted

      Please read jenni's post about Lexapro.

      Also, I am going to get an agoraphobia expert to answer you.

      Love Tess xx

    • Posted

      Ughhhh , that's the same way I feel , you are not alone

    • Posted

      It really sucks and I'm hoping you feel better. I got kind of fed up today because I got asked out on a date by a guy I really like, but I declined because I'm too anxious to get out at night.

    • Posted

      OMG 😩 that's the story of my life sounds like myself I don't want to do anything , I force myself to go to work monday-friday I fight anxiety all day everyday at work , home and whoever else I am , its beginning to be another fulltime job

  • Posted

    Is therapy a possibility for you? Medication can certainly help if you can bring yourself to take it but even then it should ideally be combined with therapy for the best outcome and lots of people do very well with therapy alone.

    I am considering a new medication myself, been on diazepam for far too long and the problem with benzodiazepines is that if you use them on a regular basis you get dependent and tolerant and Xanax is a benzo so only really suitable either for short term use or on an as and when basis.

    I have never tried Lexapro so can't comment on that but I know some people do find it useful.

    It's all about mindset though really, you ask why you can go to work but not get out at night, you probably think you feel differently going to work but the truth is you think differently, thought and feeling are so closely linked and fear becomes a habit so you come to expect the fear and sure enough it comes.

    Therapy can help you to change that thinking pattern so please do try it if you can, you deserve to feel better than this.

    • Posted

      Thank you for your response. I am currently doing CBT sessions. I am on my fourth one. My pyschologist is currently out of town so I won't go back until Sept. 21st. But yes, if I can beat this without medication I would prefer that but I feel like I'm at a point that medication is my only option. But I will say that I overall feel 50% better.

    • Posted

      You will be just fine and someday look back and at this as a bump in the road

      Learn from my mistake

      I missed years of happiness , don't you do it please . Not sure this helps but i was told that a physciatrist is better at this disorder than a physicologist . Your just fine honest you are

      Start living

      Push yourself through it . Xo

    • Posted

      Judy is right - a psychiatrist can prescribe medication and although most psychologists are very good at what they do, they have no prescribing rights.

      Go for it, Simon!

      Love Tess xxx

  • Posted

    Ask your Dr about the old drug Disiprimine

    It gave me back my life around 33

    I had a very close friend who was a head nurse at a physciatric hospital

    She said that is a very old drug but the drug of choice for panic/anxiety .... It is very, very hard to get on but it worked like a miracle

    My friend hadn't driven in 10 years, she was put on this medication and was driving, socializing and doing all the things she wouldn't do prior . Don't miss out on life, you will if you don't seek treatment of some kind . Therepy also works for many .

    • Posted

      Ok. I will take that into consideration and talk to my doctors about it. Thank you for your response!
  • Posted

    I have difficulty going out by myself, especially at night. I can do local areas.

    My husband takes me by car when he's well, he has an inherited medical condition.I have my license but haven't done any driving

    for years. I haven't been on public transport for years either.

    We're both retired.

    I know how very difficult it can make life. I'm hoping once I start to feel better I'll

    be able to do more stuff and travel by myself again.

    I wasn't always like this. I used to be able to get out and do things by myself.

    It seems so long ago though.

    We can all support each other.

    • Posted

      Please ask your Dr about the medication

      Disiprimine ..... I took it for years, went and did everything , i was close to agoraphobia . Weened myself off about 10 years ago because i understand panic and have learned that its not going to kill me , nothing is going to happen and i am ok smile and i should be thankful for good health .

      My best friend and a few other friends i found out years ago were also on Disiprimine , one hadnt driven for ten or more years, she drives everywhere, does everything

      Panic is what causes rapid heartbeat , dizziness, fear of dying, fear you'll pass out among a crowd ( embarrassin) want to drop everything ( i left full grocery carts at times) and run home cause you feel safe , sad, breathlessness without exertion, shaky, scared, feeling of impending doom etc etc . It is ALL common symptoms of anxiety .

      Im thankful each day i wake up 😊

      Please ask your Dr about that med

      Lots of them will say thats an old drug etc . But it works for many, its just a little hard getting on , exaggerates your panic a little , but after two weeks your feel so much better and you will begin to get your life back . Xoxo

    • Posted

      Thank you for your information judyp. I will certainly ask about

      Disiprimine.xoxo

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