...I meant to write that I am wired to feel overstimulated/taxed in those specific scenarios -actually it is when I am around more than one or two people for long periods of time ...although it also depends on other factors as to whether this occurs so much or not much...

Thank you! I haven't looked at YET, but I will.

I have found for myself that my desire to have a life has to be stronger than my fear of dying or being trapped and alone. I meditate to calm my irrational fears because..they are irrational. I took it a step at a time. One day I would walk to the sidewalk and do that for a week. The next week it was the mailbox. The week after to a close neighbors house, and in all this nothing happened, and the fear vanished. Peace, my friend. I pray it finds you.

I am getting it over it with baby steps, similar to what you suggested. Over stimulation is a big issue that I deal with. It's not just fear, there's a lot more to it than that, but thank you!

hi healthseeker. i battle agoraphobia too. i happened upon this group and i believe everything happens for a reason.

maybe this happened so i could visit your post and also so that i would find this group : )

i have won the battle with agoraphobia before. i mean, really won it and it was totally gone. it was so gone i could not believe it.

i left a horrific relationship that was most likely the root cause or start of having agoraphobia in the first place. i think that is a large part of what got rid of it for me. i did work to get rid of it before i left the relationship though.

the steps i took were what you are doing now - taking baby steps and letting myself know that it was no small thing i was dealing with. i was not down on myself for having the - disorder. instead, i validated myself as much as i could while working to release myself from it.

i figured that i had somehow started with maybe one fear that began to overcome me and that had grown to more fears until things snowballed. so i tried to work my way back. until i was working to become not afraid of each fear.

gentle hugs.

it takes as long as it takes

Thank you LillyPotter. You are right, it did start out with just one fear that snowballed. At first it was just driving. Actually, I had a panic attack at a stoplight, and at first I just had trouble at stoplights. Then it was driving in general, and it eventually became leaving the house at all, then I had a hard time even leaving my bedroom. I am getting out more now. I really like your advice. It is rare that I get someone that validates my feelings and what I am doing to overcome it. So thank you! I am slowly winning the battle. You are so right, it does take as long as it takes. Sometimes it's hard to patient in the meantime though. At any rate, I really appreciate your thoughts.

oh! healthseeker : ) i'm so glad that was helpful to you. it does make sense, huh? i know, i couldn't remember the path as you have. i figured it had been a long time though for me. it helped me a lot too? to have a ride come for me, then i had someone waiting for me and that helped so much. a friendly someone waiting out there, as opposed to me making myself go out. i only thought about running out to get in the van nad that was a fun thing - so different.

big hugs, good for you xo

You can not be cured from this condition, but you can be better.

I was a housebound agoraphobic for many months. When I started going out, it was only around town. My anxiety disorders also include driving phobia, bridge phobia, heights, social and general. I have had anxiety since I was a young child. 23 years ago I found a treatment center for anxiety disorders that specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Long story short, it works!!! They claim to have a better than 97% success rate since 1971. This particular center is in NY - but I am a firm believer of CBT in general.
It took me a long time and a lot of effort - but I can say that today I am recovered. If I can be of any help to you, send me a message.
Recovery is possible - never give up!

Thank you anxietypath. I love to hear about success stories, and I'm always open to suggestions. Thank you again.

Hi there, I'm new to this site and relapsing from my recovery from agoraphobia and panic disorder. I had become agoraphobic when I first started having panic attacks because my comfort zone got smaller and smaller. After not being able to leave my house for 3 months I decided to give in to medication. Prozac saved my life. Meds aren't for everyone but for some people they can help a lot. Initially I got 10x worse because of side effects: heightened anxiety and panic, insomnia and nausea. But then things started getting better and continued. I would say I recovered about 90% so it is DEFINITELY possible. I also never thought I would recover and remember reading on a support group how everyone was feeling and although I sought relief from others that finally "got it" and understood how I was feeling and that I could talk and related to-I didn't see any stories of recovery and people saying they actually lived a normal life again and that was very upsetting to me. I am here to tell you that you can get better! You can live a normal life again! It's funny too that I'm telling you this because I'm in the middle of a horrible relapse. I had gotten off my medication last December 2016 and I just restarted them because I'm unmanageable again and never feel normal anymore. Having panic attacks daily again.

Feel free to reach out to me, I'm happy to talk. I need help too, lol.

What helped me the most was a support group called panicsurvivor.com but unfortunately the site isn't active anymore (you can still view posts but you can't comment, or log in or search anything) I was devastated when I tried to go on because I needed my support again. I'm lucky I found this site but it's not nearly as active as the last one I was on. Usually after posting you would have over 20 people responding to you, but I'm hopeful this site will build and become great like the other one I was a part of. But support groups helped me greatly, I also sought therapy, counseling, read articles and educated myself about my disorders. Got panic attack work books, tried every coping mechanism you could believe. For me, I hate to say it, but medication is what worked for me. I'm not proud of it, I actually am devastated I had to re start them. I feel weak and like I couldn't help myself and control my life. But sometimes we all need a little help.

There is hope, hold on to that ❤️

Hi Rippelk2, I'm glad you have found something that has worked for you. I posted this clear back in June, and I am doing a lot better in the recovery process now than I was at that time. I have taken baby steps and I am slowly desensitizing myself to things. It has been a process, but it is working.

I used to be the same way- I literally stopped driving. Stopped going into stores. Stopped everything- I stayed in my house for two weeks straight.
Then something happened and I had to break the cycle. And I went off that momentum-
I kept driving after that. I started making myself do things again. I even went in the mall today! It was a HUGE accomplishment.

I make myself do something uncomfortable everyday. (With anxiety.) so I can get better. And eventually- I won’t feel so out of it anymore. My comfort zones will be broadened.
And it’s a work in progress. But I praise God everyday I’m not where I was. Bevause the Lord, faith, and hard work within myself has definitely made a huge difference. I’ve smiled more and been excited. I actually think of plans now for the day.
And I don’t feel an overwhelming sense of dread every time I hear “we need to go to the store,” or when I want to go somewhere; the restraints aren’t there anymore. I’m still anxious. I still need breaks; but I realized I want to get through it now. And I’m not willing to let myself back track anymore. It’s literally a daily thing. But it’s been worth it. And I’m praying for you. You’re capable, you’re strong, and you will do it. ❤️❤️❤️ Lots of love and prayers.