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 20 April 2025 (5 days ago) by Loulou28
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
127 Answers Page 4
Loulou28
7 July 2013
Kaylyn, it can get better. I have been there for so long I can't remember.
I have been on every medicine out there. Recently my psych added Buspirone. I started at 15 mg plus 150 Zoloft, and chlonopin or Xanax as needed. I noticed after a week or 2 a definate difference... that pit of adrenaline has gone silent. She recently upped my dose to 30 mg. this is the first med to take that feeling out of my gut! I slowly took myself off the other meds. I need to let my doc know this... nobody should do it without doc supervision.
I now realize I have to give my brain time to get used to Not having the panic... I'm physically not feeling panic, but emotionally I have to adjust.
It can get better. Be patient and know it CAN get better!
I just wish everyone was seeing a good doc. When I read what some docs are prescribing, I wonder why they are not at therapeutic levels? My family doc prescribed way too low. Once I switched to a psyc, the knowledge they had really helped me.
I wish you luck. I have been there, and know how incredibly bad it affects your life. Hang in there!
Inactive
24 June 2013
Dear Kaylyn, I can so understand your problem. I have many medical problems and the pain is either a 7 up to 9 ( on 1-10 scale). It makes me so anxious because there are more times than not that I cannot do even the simplest of everyday things. I am afraid to even check the mail, as the box is at end of driveway and I am afraid I wont be able to make it back up the hill. Afraid to be in public, even close to home because I have severe vomiting and diarrhea that hits with no warning. I have left the house 4 times this year and those were doc appts. I am on Xanax 5 times a day and Remeron at night, When I have absolutely no choice but to leave the house I have to plan days ahead so that on that day I only have to get up, get dressed and go, hopefully with a friend or family member to help me if I freak. I know this is no solution for you, but had to let you know you are not alone. Be sure you main dr knows the severity of your anxiety.
Unfortunately my "pain specialist" refuses to prescribe any thing else cause I am on so much already. Same dr that made sign a contract that I would not seek help else where or even fill rx's any where else. Control freak, yes. But don't know where to start to find a new one and afraid new one would take away some pain meds. Good luck, hon. I'll be keeping an eye on your answers and responses. I am very new to this site, wish I knew how to add you as a friend. Take care, be well as possible. ChelleKay
ranalee74
24 June 2013
Yes I do and felt like it was only me if I had my way id never leave. I feel like I can't communicate with others I'm extremely depressed and I feel like this is going to be my life from now on.
sunnydeesez
7 June 2013
yes ive had it for years but i do leave my house i live with it but sometimes it gets lonely because i also dont want to see anyone but yet i do . i dont want to go out but i know i need to, i dont buy food for a while unitl i really need to go out. to others i appear normal but inside its difficult xxx i certainly couldnt hold down a full time job but people think its laziness but i have a degree despite these feelings. i think it is more common than you think. xxx dee
MuseMyself
7 June 2013
I relate to your not wanting to be seen and waiting until the last minute to do things... AND VERY MUCH TO THE PEOPLE THINKING ITS LAZINESS! Or for me when I was younger attention... at the moment I am having a tough time again. I have been doing the things others need me to do. I get this way season to season usually I get myself out of it in the warmer weather by going to a river not many people know about and kayak its peaceful and I'm getting out and about... I'll get there soon... enough babbles from me- Take care!
Delila
24 June 2013
Hi Sunny', i've only just come across your response. I think you & i are very similar! I can relate to everything you have said. I suffer from agoraphobia, & if i had it my way, i would seldom leave my home. Luckily i have support workers, family & a close friend, who help me with general day to day tasks, such as shopping. I don't go out every day. I do enjoy being outdoors if i am with someone who i trust & understands me, but i don't go out for too long, i get tired easily. Do you have any help, do you engage in counselling, or similar? How long have you felt this way?
babygirl26
31 May 2013
hi kaylyn, well i too, experience this. i havent been on any medication so i guess the only way to fix myself is,to take control of my mind.. are you on any medication? dont feel alone i go through the same thing.. just now i found a sweet on the table. i putit in my mouth and immediately got a panic attack.. i thought that the sweet had some deadly virus on it. and i freaked out. it just sucks when i cant control it
lady2882
19 May 2013
I can relate to being housebound. I live in the country with no close neighbors so it is more like yardbound for me as the yard seems safe but then I have 3 dogs, 2 Boxers and a Australian cattle dog. They make me feel safe.
But the only way I can go anywhere is if my husband comes with me. He has to stay close to me the whole time no matter what or I panic.
MuseMyself
19 May 2013
I relate to you sooo much! It's very difficult to take that step out of the closed door speaking about myself when I write... literally I couldn't get over the step to close the opened door one summer day I kept going back and forth I finally talked to myself got on the porch locked the door and ran to my car because of the bee's lol afraid of bee's! I took a drive where I know not many people know about down the shore... ever since that day in that summer I fished , kayaked, enjoyed being out! I could be around people not to far after and it only took that first step-in the winter time/change of season I do have a difficult time- it's a battle we need to conquer one step at a time.
Knowing we are not alone helps support helps understanding helps! Even though, I don't wish any of this on my worst of foes-I feel better knowing I'm not alone and no matter what no matter if someone is on step 1 or 58 we all have wisdom to share comfort and support it's up to us to say --- fill in blank I am going to go for a walk you dont control me! Even if, you get dressed and out thst door a few feet and turned around it's more than you did in 9month and you ONLY fail by not trying... I wish you the best take care!
willseth
14 May 2013
no
bamamichelle78
29 April 2013
Yes,i dont like social gathering or anything.When i eat out i always use the drive thru..also have a phobia (huge phobia) of people coughing sneezing in restaurants,etc I have to take someone with me normally to get out of the house.
extremely anxious
31 Jan 2013
Yes. I just realized that I had not left my house except once a month in the past three years and that is only to see my pain management Dr. And I only go see him because I'm miserable if I don't. On the way over there I'm a nervous wreck. Then just the past two weeks ago I had a reaction to the fentanyl patch that put me in the hospital. I was so nervous that I did research on it. This is when I found that I isolate myself. I looked up the definition and it was me exactly! Its really scary. I'm forcing myself to go to the psychiatrist appointment that's coming up. I'll be praying for you. I know what you're going through. I dont know how to add you as a friend on this but I'll try.
Victoria58
30 April 2013
As for me, i do the same thing, dont go ANYWHERE unless its to my psychiatrist. So far so good with med mangement, and extinsive therapy. In order to get better, we are going to have to fight the uncomfortable to become stonger and conquor our fears. But Panic Attacks have stole my life, and my independancy as a Single women. I dont wish them on my worst enemy. Family doctors are BS..They try to play it off like "Mr Super Doctor" gotta go by the book. And also the morons that have abused the benzo's have ruined it for the ones that really need it, and take it responsably. Also you will start feeling stronger each time you go see your head Doctor and free. Iam not where iam suppose to be, but iam a whole lot farther than i used to be, and still have a ways to go..Prayers and Blessings too you Victoria
johnrecovered
18 Jan 2013
YES!
My name is john, I have 9-for real- college degrees, and was homebound agoraphobic for years! would not even leave ROOM to meet visitors!
The hell of it was, I have a PHD in Neuroscience! I knew the anxiety was "symptomatic" but it was hell!
Finale: I got well! Have a highest level stress job now; still have anxiety "waves", but never to point of not working.
How did I get well? Blood sweat and tears, prayer, medications, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Compliance was biggest set back- I didn't take meds as my best of the best colleague psychiatrist prescribed them-and I didn't do cog-behavioral therapy and self-work in books faithfully. So what could have been 18 months went over 10 years!
In short: STOP THE SHOW! You are sick-worse than cancer, GI disorders, anything because it messes up your ability to "step back and act". Don't "half-ass" your recovery, GET WELL! You are not weak, faking or any other LIES people tell you- get treated and focus 100% on getting well! You cannot do it though unless you have the guts to face it, and do everything you can to get well! Full time job! And you will get well if you do this! Don't piss away years for the sake of "what will people think" or your ego-like me! By God's grace, I am 100% well 90% of the time, and the other 10% I do the job each shift! Does it feel "bad" when the anxiety waves roll over me? Hell yes! Do I fold? Hell no! And they last 3-4 hours max now; the euphoria of a job well done and a good day lasts for days, and in 10 years, the work I am doing will stand and save lives-I am a top biomedical professional- the anxiety waves will be forgotten!
PLEASE: Don't be a dumbass Iike I was and "half-treat" your illness; forget people's opinions; face the problem you have-everybody has issues, yours is just more miserable to live thru than 99.99999% of people could imagine- and put in the time and focus and GET WELL! You will then have a healthy lifespan to maximize your joy and productivity!
I am here, and I know this stuff. Find a good doctor, comply with meds and therapy, and GET WELL! Don't ignore it or downplay the importance of you being well and what you can contribute!
God bless you!
john
diceyd_stephanie
17 Jan 2013
Yes, I've had anxiety so bad I couldn't leave my house, get in a car, etc. I finally found a doctor that understood me and my symptoms and got help, but have recently come off the anxiety meds bc the side effects was worse than the staying in the house. I started w/baby-steps like walking to the mail-box & back to the house. Then I had my mom come visit me almost daily, then she talked me into going with her to the store about a mile away and now I'm going places w/her. I would rather go w/out meds as be addle headed and feel nothing. I don't recommend anyone do this on their own. This is just how I did it. I still have panic attacks and am going to a Dr. soon to try a different medication, not a anti-depressant, but perhaps a benzodiazapene. I have found they work best. Everyone is different though!! I hope that helps! Sincerely dicey :D
Inactive
17 Jan 2013
It does get easier as long as you don't give up the fight. I recently decided to quite the antidepressants and I am currently taking Klonpin. I will tell you this that is my miracle pill for me
My withdrawal (even though I was slowly taken off the antidepressant ) is still occurring. Its horrible the dr tried to put me back on it but no way never again.
Good luck with your success and please update
anglet
9 Jan 2013
yes i understand that is how i fill i have been dealing with that filling for almost a year now it is so hard for me to do anything some days i dont even answer my phone i have been taking xanxa for a few years now and it really does not help anymore but yes i no how you fill i thought i was the only person who felt that way i dont talk to many people about it i guess i just dont think they would understand panic attacks are very hard to deal with i think the best thing to do about them is talk to your doctor and tell them how bad your panic attacks are maybe they could try a different med that may work
angie46
28 Oct 2012
OMG, yes !! I have the same problem... most of it is because I feel exposed when i leave my house.. I hate it !! if i am forced outside when my anxiety is intense, I can't think straight and if i have to drive... wow!! that is even worse !! I am afraid of getting in an accident.
I am forced outside because of my kids or food..
Sometimes jumping in with two feet is all we can do.. My heart goes out to you..
Angie
629253
28 Oct 2012
Dear Kaylyn, My heart goes out to you! Members of my family have the same anxiety about going places, or being in certain places, or around certain people. I have some tendencies myself... I have learned through years of research and putting into practice that my thoughts stir me up to the point of panic or complete avoidance. If I recognize my pattern of thinking at the onset, and accept those thoughts as just that, "thoughts, only thoughts", then get back to the present moment, this helps a lot. Encourage yourself to step through the feelings, a tiny bit at a time, to be able to do more in the future. Rhodiola has replaced my taking Zanax. The websites I would encourage you to visit are Midwest Center for Stress and Anxiety, and PanicAway.com. Homeopathic remedies are also available. This is not a condition that can't be fixed! There is definitely hope! God bless you on your journey!
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