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."

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My Rcovery from Agoraphobia

jonge
jonge
Hi guys,

I suffered from agoraphobia from age 11 to mid 20's.

My legs used to shake and I thought I'd lost the ability to walk. I'd still go out, but it was a traumatic experience and I'd always come home with my back absolutely drenched in sweat.

I'm relieved to say that it is now a thing of the past. I can now go anywhere, and I can walk down the street feeling calm and relaxed.

I still suffer from anxiety in general. But it is much lower than what it was it hardly affects me anymore.

I recovered from agoraphobia with the Dr Claire Weeks method. It's the only thing that made a difference for me.

Best,

Jon
nifer57
nifer57
Congratulations to you!!! That's wonderful, and you must be so relieved. Is the method you used based on desensitizing? I had a case manager several years ago that used desensitizing to help me get out into the community....especially to the bank, grocery and the Post Office. My Agoraphobia is not as bad in general than it used to be. But I still have really bad days, when I can't even get out onto my front porch. I take clonazapam that helps with my anxiety, but I'm still struggling to overcome it enough that I can do things like mow my lawn, go for walks etc.. Again, Congratulations!
Lonewolf363
Lonewolf363
AWESOME! Proud of you im getting there..... my best Heidi
jonge
jonge
Hi,

Weekes method is all about losing your fear of your symptoms, whether its tensions, the shakes, churning stomach or whatever. Or the feeling of panic itself.

So whenever you panic and feel shaky outside instead f tensing against it you loosen as much as possible, and instead of running away GO INTO the fear.

After time, from repeatedly letting yourself open up to the fear willingly you lose your fear of it. You learn to live with ear. You get to see that fear. although frightening, is just a feeling, just a old bogey that only holds power over you if you fear it and make it important.

Best,

Jon
jonge
jonge
I forgot to mention, that eventually you get to the stage where you think, "oh these symptoms again. I don't care." And when you stop caring it loses its power over you.

If you are interested lots of her books and audios are available on Amazon!

Best,

Jon
sue521
sue521
Hi. I am new to this group.Still figuring out how it works. But I wanted to congratulate you. I suffer from agoraphobia/anxiety/ptsd. I was homebound for 8 years. I started therapy 5 years ago. I've had trauma, CBT and exposure therapy. I can now go out in the world in the mornings and do just about anything. I am working on going out in the afternoon. This is hard for me, but I am taking baby steps. I am so happy that you have come so far. Agoraphobia is not easy to overcome, but it is possible. With the right kind of help, we can overcome this. Again, I am so happy for you.