Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety Support Group
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."
I feel closed in and judged by everyone when I am in large crowds so much that I either avoid gatherings or I find some place barely has any people in it. I never went to dances and going shopping is hard enough on me as is. I don't drive because my fear sets in about other's driving and the lack of trust and reaction I have in myself added with the responsibility of whoever is with me. This goes for public transportation too. So, how am I suppose to work while feeling this was on top of having depression and anxiety disorder? What job will hire someone who has never been able to work because of these and has no skills? And say I do find a place that would hire me and keep me away from large crowds and not drive. How long will they keep me after having to call out for every downspiral I get or doctor appointment made? So I trying for SSI because in my location, there is no other alternative for someone like me.
I know how well that condition sucks! I've been there, too. It was some years ago and I had similar thoughts and feeling such as yours. HOWEVER, I did recover! I recovered on my own -- all by my lonesome w/out anybody's help. So, IT IS POSSIBLE to recover. The important thing to note is:
1) YOU DO have skills! Look: you are QUITE well spoken and apparently can FIND groups like this to express yourself. THAAAAAAT is an accomplished skill!
2) You seem to be able to articulate clearly what you are AFRAID to do, and THAT TOOOOOO is a skill (of higher cognitive intelligence).
You see, the real issue here is YOUR THOUGHTS! Your thoughts of fear are taking a hold of you in an abnormal manner. The steps I took to get out of it were the following:
1) I stopped comparing myself to others (it only added to my distress);
2) I took an assessment of all the good qualities I possessed and studied this list daily (and frequently);
3) Remember, a big part of this condition is due to lack of self-esteem, so doing things to rebuild your confidence REALLY Helps! What kinds of things you ask? Here's some simple ones:
- getting out of bed at a certain hour, say 6am; or - writing a LIST of daily goals (things you want / can / must achieve today, etc.
4) Tune-into EMPOWERING audios and videos to enhance your self esteem AND to cure yourself from agoraphobic thought patterns.
5) I found out that stress burns up vitamin B's in the body and that without proper nutrition (0r supplementation when eating a bad diet) that the lack of certain vitamins WILL CAUSE agoraphobic symptoms to appear!
Remember -- you are SO LUCKY! There are so many more resources out there (on line) than when I went thru this phase! I had to find and create my own tape recordings to try to hypnotize myself out of my stagnant thoughts. You have so much more at your disposal on YouTube, today. Take a look at it! IT WILL HELP (if not CURE you!)
You may as well forget about SSI. They take forever (and I mean years and years!) to respond in any helpful way to you. By the time you make even a dent in that route, you could've been half way home to a normal life!
Try these suggestions. They WILL Help! I guarantee it!
Here is a link to some links that will help:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=healing+agrophobia
Hope this helps! Good luck!
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder that does qualify as a disability. Doesn't hurt to try for it. But if you need a lawyer they might require you to meet with them.
I'm new to the board and your post is the first I've replied to . I can't speak for anyone else but panic with agoraphobia is probably the greatest challenge I've faced in my life, and that's saying something.
Trying to work outside the home while dealing with agoraphobia can be difficult. I've been there. However, working from home can be an option. This condition is how I first got started working from home. As much as I would prefer working in an actual "bricks and mortar' office (pay is better), I have to play with the hand I've been dealt. Like you, driving became more and more difficult because of the fear. I actually stopped altogether 3 years ago. It took away my independence. When you go from hopping in the car anytime you feel like it to waiting on someone to take you places, it's hard. Like you, at times I feel closed in as well as judged by the people around me. However, I'm slowly working my way out of this, and have decided that if other people have an issue with my condition, that's their problem. I may not ever get back to life BEFORE agoraphobia but I'm going to keep trying.
There's one thing I want you to keep in mind. The name of this website is Daily Strength. Living with panic and/or agoraphobia takes daily strength, which is what those of us who live with this disorder have, strength.