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."
this past week has been a really rough week for me physically and mentally.
I've been super dizzy, to the point that my legs don't feel strong enough to carry me so I have not walked the dogs for two days now. I have had to hand that over to my husband and son. It's been hard to remain ok mentally as I have a really tough time dealing with being so dependent on my boys.
Yesterday I could barely walk so sat on the couch for most of the day. I did try and do a little something, managed to wash dishes simply by sitting on a chair in front of the sink. And I made the bed.
It is hard not to see these types of days as failure days. I am not good at allowing myself down days, maybe because when I am in a down period there are too many down days to deal with.
So I am back to square one and am mentally taking note of all I do and not fall victim to "I didn't do anything today". As stupid as it sounds I'm back to "I got up, got dressed, brushed my teeth, made toast, did dishes.." all that good stuff.
Does anyone else have good ways to get through down periods?
I've been super dizzy, to the point that my legs don't feel strong enough to carry me so I have not walked the dogs for two days now. I have had to hand that over to my husband and son. It's been hard to remain ok mentally as I have a really tough time dealing with being so dependent on my boys.
Yesterday I could barely walk so sat on the couch for most of the day. I did try and do a little something, managed to wash dishes simply by sitting on a chair in front of the sink. And I made the bed.
It is hard not to see these types of days as failure days. I am not good at allowing myself down days, maybe because when I am in a down period there are too many down days to deal with.
So I am back to square one and am mentally taking note of all I do and not fall victim to "I didn't do anything today". As stupid as it sounds I'm back to "I got up, got dressed, brushed my teeth, made toast, did dishes.." all that good stuff.
Does anyone else have good ways to get through down periods?
Well, I'm 41 and I still have it. I dont get depressed as much as I used too, because I have accepted that I have Agoraphobia and Social Anxiety, and now my focus is attacking it, not trying to figure out 'whats wrong with me?'.
Excercize has been my greatest friend. All my life, I have walked for miles, giving myself pep talks. I would set goals like "I think I can walk three miles today". At the end of three--I'd tell myself "you can go further". This helped me develop a belief in myself that I do have the strength to push myself harder, even though it might get uncomfortable. The payoff has been tremendous.
I've tried to quit smoking, but since that's my little imaginary friend, I have failed. Many times. The last time I tried was about 2 months ago. I made it three weeks, and in that time, I began to run on the treadmill--just light running around 4 mph to begin. Gradually, I built up speed and distance. Even though I started smoking again, I told myself "Fine, if you're gonna smoke, you're still gonna run at least two miles every time you work out--no cop outs!"
So, that's what I've been doing, and I'm thankful I push myself ---even when i think I cannot do it. Today i ran the first mile at 4.5 mph, and the second at 5mph. I still cant believe how good it feels to push, work, develop strategies to succeed, and just go for it! Sounds like depression is a big part of this for you, too, so maybe if you could set goals like "today I'm gonna take the dogs for a short, 10 min. walk". Then, if you're feeling like pushing harder, stay out for 5 or 10 minutes longer.
I've had days when I was afraid to go for my walk because i thought people could read my mind and see how truly messed up my thinking was, but I put on a cap, pulled it down to hide my face better, and went right on! By the time I got back home, my chin was up and I felt like nothing was impossible.
Excercize does absolute wonders. Hope this helps! Good luck :)))
Dee
Walking is one of my things too, but when my legs can't support me I can't walk. I've been stuck before with no way back and that is very scary, when you have to practically crawl back home.
I have tried to run or jog but each time I do, my body goes into automatic panic. Even speed walking results in automatic panic. Normal walking seems to work best for me and I do normally go twice a day every day.
However, as I said, when I am soo dizzy that i can't stand on my legs inside my home, I no longer try to go out. I am very susceptible to weather changes and also to hormonal changes and both were happening big time this week, and I'm also peri-menopausal so that adds to it as well.
Good luck!!!! I hope that you're feeling your best soon!!!!
Hopefully, the path to recovery will be quicker this time thanks to all the good work I've already put in and you will be the same.
Relapse does not mean collapse! One bad day means nothing in a lifetime.
Good luck to you x
I really do.
I feel so bad myself when I still have a day where I can't do anything.
It's at this time when I need to remind myself that I am having "good days" as well.
But it's so easy to just look at our "failiures".
It doesnt' make US failures.
We are human and we're not perfect and we're going to fall sometimes.
Don't feel too bad, okay?
Hang in there!
Blessings,
Billi