Hi,
I too suffer from agoraphobia . It limits what I can do. The effects of it makes going out exhausting.

Hi, sue521,
I can truly relate to your post. I have been on disabiilty for a year now and mostly homebound. My insurance company found me a therapist who goes to patients' homes and I'm really looking forward to starting with her. I too have no real friends or any family, except my husband from whom I'm separated. Every day is a struggle; being positive is difficult. But I turned down an opportunity to be a client in an organization which requires me to never have a job again. I have not yet given hope that I will work again. After driving comfortably for 30 years, I find myself dreading getting behind the wheel.. But I do it anyway or my errand doesn't get done. Please keep sharing how you are doing.

Howdy! I It almost seems like you are telling *my* story with a few exceptions. I have suffered from anxiety and agoraphobia long before I knew there were names for it so most of my childhood was spent being told that I was "just nervous." It was not comforting because it did not appear there was a cause nor cure for it and that I was the only person in the world with the condition(s). I have been on short term disability from my employer for six months now and about to go to long-term, also having filed with the Social Security Administration for what is now diagnosed as NINE disabling conditions. I have a very difficult time leaving the house and also have that phone phobia leaving me with only online friends and a wife who is somewhat understanding to my condition(s) but so difficult to describe my issues outside of "having a bad day." ... so glad to hear your comment, "But I am now trying to rebuild my life." ... You can do it! We can do it!!! We can do it together by sharing our ears and shoulders to each other. Count me in your friend circle and let's talk about the "the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can... and the wisdom to know the difference." I am hoping to hear more from and about you.

Greetings, I am new to this group, just joined today, I'm almost eighteen years old and my friends consist of three people whom I call Smiley, Optimist Prime, and Grasshopper, i have a strange habit to give my friends nicknames. If I have a choice, I don't leave home. It hasn't never really been a problem for me because I'm school and have very limited friends. My life revolves around my art, literature, horses, and dogs, and because of my OCD, my constant need to clean. It practically causes me to have a heartache to talk over the phone but I am taking a huge leap. I'm publishing my book which is going to put me right in the thick of things. Not completely sure how I'm going to manage to do this, but I'm determined and very stubborn. I hate being around people even though I don't know why. Every time I'm out in public, I am totally exhausted when I get home so I limit my trips to down to practically none. I'm guessing that's not healthy. My parents don't seem to complain, they seem to be relieved I'm nothing like other teenagers. I bury myself in my chores and my writing. I too am looking for friends to help me and in turn I want to help them.

Hi. I suffer from anxiety and social phobia among other things. I would like to have some friends to talk to about this. I don't have any in real life. People seem to think I'm weird because I'm a loner. I have a full time job and it's a struggle to get through the days. I cant lose my job but i would like to be more normal there so people are not whispering about me and thinking im a weirdo. I wish i was normal. There are times i wish i had a friend to talk to. Im 47. Single mom.

You are not alone, my problem is social anxiety, I actually like being around people, (not every day) its being at social events that bother me, cook-outs, parties, church socials, getting invited over someones house for a meal, I don't feel right at these events. It feels like I want to leave as soon as I get there.