I haven't left mine in 9 months and its driving me crazy, I feel so helpless and some days I can't stand it but when I think about getting in the car and going somewhere I feel panic and think its too far to go. Panic starts setting in and I feel like I could die if I try it.
Does anyone have anxiety so bad that they can't leave their house?
Question posted by kaylyn on 16 May 2011
Last updated on 18 August 2023 by catherine60
126 Answers Page 2
Hello everyone I started on prozac and Buspar for anxiety 25 years ago. Iwent off prozac and started Cymbalta. It drove me into breakdown. I finally got off this terrible med and went back to prozac went up to 80mgs. It did take suicidal thoughts away but I gained 50 lbs. So now so fat and can't breathe. But not suicidal anymore What would you do? My doctor switched me to a blood pressure med gained 12lbs in 10 days
Hi.
I can tell you what helped me. Mindfulness helped a lot, a quick search on amazon and you will find books and audio cds. Exercise helped and so did healthy living. Cognitive-behavioral therapy may be very helpful for you. Speak to your doctor and they will refer you to a counselor. You can be the man you wish to be.
Best wishes
You don't have to live like that! Have you ever reached out for professional help?
I have the same problem. I cannot even go into my front yard for fear that I am being watched and that people think I look strange or awkward. Just now I have a nervous stomach thinking about it. I have lived in torture my whole life. Family visiting is hard and even entertaining my own grown up children and their partners at christmas I find difficult and I hate myself for this. I cannot prepare food in front of anyone I cannot sign my name properly in front of anyone as my hand freezers. When I was in school everyone called me the strange kid and I was bullied relentlessly. Now I am 63 and it is only worse as I cannot work and I am too young to receive the pension so we live on my husbands pension and some online sales that I have. I hate my life.
Yes most definitely!
When my anxiety is really crippling I can literally get stuck in whatever room I'm in, it's hideous, the thought of getting into my car is something I can't fathom when it's that bad, it's just too much, even trying to count is out of the question for me, I find that if I can get my breathing under some kind of control, keep the room cool and remain as calm as possible, then I can take the first step, it may take a long time but I know when I take that step (literally trying to walk) I'm on the right track, it can take hours to get out of the room and the only pressure I put on myself is a shower - I find that v difficult, the noise and the feeling of the water but it feels like a huge accomplishment, the car can stay in the garden that's out of my depth at times, after a while when the panic subsibes I try to just sit in my garden
I know how your feeling, trying to do much will feel overwhelming, start with something smaller and build up to driving, I hope this is of some help
I've been dealing with this for over 20 years it's HORRID. I'm so sorry that your having this, I'd not wish it on my worst enemy...
Same here. Just this past Wednesday, I took one 20mg tablet of Citalopram and it only made things worst. I'm still feeling symptoms from that one dosage! Just waiting for it to leave my system. I've decided to exercise instead to lift my seratonin (I pray I spelled it correctly) levels.
I pray, in the name of Jesus Christ that you no longer go through these attacks. Amen
I haven't left my room in 2weeks. I feel like I can't or something bad will happen. Under my comforter is the only place I feel safe. Things are getting worse. Like I have my friend go to the store for me, I haven't gone tanning which I love and I don't shower for 2-3 days at a time. I'm falling apart but I don't care about anything anymore so life has become dark n broken.
First are you under a Dr care or are you on any medications for your anxiety? If not the first thing is do is get a Dr. I know it's hard to leave the house sometimes. I'm the same way. Even when I feel good I don't like crowds and am more of a stay at home person. Still working with my psychiatrist to get a med that works as good as my last one. Which I was taken off of. Sorry about the rambling, try and find a psychiatrist and make yourself an appointment. Take someone with you to make you feel more relaxed. Good luck!
I have had anxiety and panic attacks since I was a child. As I grew older they became a lot worse. I know part of the reason I have severe anxiety and panic attacks which stems from things I went through as a young child, teen, and young adult. I also have several health conditions that contribute to my anxiety and panic attacks. I take anxiety meds twice a day and made myself think about the things that happened in the past and was finally able to make peace within myself. This didn't take away all of my anxiety and panic attacks but it helped a lot. In the past two years I have found myself worse than ever and don't want to leave my house/yard. There has been several events over the past two years that has caused me this major setback. My oldest son was in a bad accident (lady ran a flashing red light) with injuries and totally his car.
Then less than two years later my youngest son and oldest son (2nd one in less than two years for my oldest son) was in a major accident (uninsured lady hit the head on causing them to hit a utlity pole head on) causing them injuries and totally my youngest son's car. My father pasted away, then I had something happen to me a few months ago that I can't discuss right now. Because of these events the progress that I had made is gone and even caused my anxiety and panic attacks to be the worst ever. I start to have anxiety, panic attacks, and hyperventilat which causes me to feel hot and I start to sweat if I think that I have to leave my house. I also do this when I have to make important phone calls or decisions. I know I can and will over come this major setback but I know it will take time, willpower and courage. I can't say that I will ever be able to overcome these attacks 100% but I know that I can get them under better control an minimize the severity of it. Just know that you are not alone and I know for me hearing what other people are going through and how they cope with it has helped me. I feel sure that you can overcome this herdle because it took courage for you to just post this. Prayers going up in hopes that you can face this one small step at a time.
Are you under a Drs care? If not why not? With everything that you are have going on. Get into see a psychiatrist. Someone that can prescribe something to help with anxiety. Plus sounds like you need someone to talk to. Good luck
Sorry for all the typos, I sent it from my cell and autocorrect hates me. I have an amazing doctor that treats most all of my health conditions and has for several years now. I take two doses of meds for it daily and could increase it but because I already take so much so I decided not to. I have never been to a Psychiatrist etc. but honestly for me I don't think that would benefit me too much. My Neurologist that treats most of my health care issues is a great listener and never rushes me out the door. I am not against seeing a Psychiatrist etc. and would encourage others to if they feel it might help them. I just don't feel it would be beneficial for me and my situation, I am making it over this hurdle and will continue to push forward.
I am a veteran that deals with PTSD and agoraphobia on a daily basis. The anxiety can be peralizing. I cause me to live a very lonely life but I refuse to let it win. I try to push forward and find joy in the small things
Keep pushing forward. You are in my prayer.
New to the forum and ran across this topic. I thought I had social anxiety for a long time but I was wrong. I am an introvert. Simple as that. Fear does not affect me. I don’t like people. Heck I have a hard time being around my friends and family. I like being alone and doing my own thing. I hate talking on the phone. I love getting out though and driving my truck but that first step out the back door is hard because of people (and traffic). There is no cure. You are hot wired as either being an introvert or extrovert the moment your brain developes. I am saying this because other people here have said the same thing. I am not making light of anyone’s anxiety problems or agoraphobia but those of you with slighter symptoms, research introvert and learn how you can deal with situations. It helped me.
I don’t feel safe outside my home... in fact I feel safest in my room. I hate leaving it
When I have to go to the store. My anxiety is so bad I feel I’m drowning. I’m a survivor of stage 3B breast cancer. I don’t know if this is the reason. But I had many people proud of my strength. I was strong. But now I am weak. I have had depression my whole life but this is a whole other level. Suicide is a daily thought. If I won’t. But wish I could. It’s tough. My dogs are the only thing keeping me going ... what can we do?
I have battling &dx with not only ptsd,anxiety attacks, panic attacks but now I have agoraphobia.I'm fighting to at least step out a little each day,it's hard but we have to take baby steps.I feel your pain. Nobody understands unless you have this.They can say yes they do all day long but living it is devastating. I will pray for you.
Kaylyn
Your story is my story. I know this is a older post but any thoughts you have on how I can get over this would be so appreciated. I'm alone and terrified. Trying for 7 months to battle depression panic and anxiety disorder and now Agoraphobia and social phobia. I feel completely broken
I have the same problem, society socks when it causes this type. Hope you get better,,,
Related topics
sta-d, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.