Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

23,095 Members

43,236 Posts

2 Online

BorachioHatpeg 06/30/2020

I've attempted online support groups in the past but I've never gotten past filling out the profile details. So this is my first time actually reaching out. I have been housebound with agoraphobia for 5 years now (I've left around once or twice a year) and lately I've been in the worst shape yet. I've realised that I no longer have any plans or expectations or even hope for getting better. I have a wonderful husband who still somehow puts up with me but he's gone 12-16 hours a day working hard at the peak of his career that he truly enjoys. I have a part time roomate/ best friend who trys to help me not feel so lost and alone but there is only so much he can do. I'm more lost and alone than ever before and I am desperately afraid that this is how it will be until I can no longer take it. I really don't expect to find any magical answers as I am very much aware of the things available to me that I could or should and have or haven't tried. I just desperately need human interaction. I'm smart and witty and patient with others and very understanding. I'm also unreliable and inconsistent and generally bad at being a friend. I have a successful dog boarding business for a bit of financial supplementation to a very small monthly disability check. Husband and roomate do all of the people parts and I care for the furry guests. I get joy and some satisfaction there... Idk what else to say.

Thor2008 06/30/2020

You have come to the right place. Daily Strength is a place of support and information. I think I know the answer but do you have a psycharist or a therapist? COVID has brought telemedicine to the fore, so it is much more available and once you get in with those providers they will probably be willing to continue with telehealth. The help you need right on your computer so you don't have to leave. And mailed drugs is pretty easy also. I do that. You have my dream job - boarding dogs. Would love that. Can you get another roommate to keep you company? You are also doing something that is very good for your condition - writing about it. Telling yourself and sometimes others what is going on and how you feel. You will find wonderful supportive people on this board.

BorachioHatpeg 06/30/2020

Thank you for responding Thor2008! Thanks for the Telehealth advice. I've tried it and I couldn't even manage to force myself to video chat and so I gave up (because of course I did). I'm terrified of losing the cognitive function I've been able to regain so I'm not ready to consider meds again. The dog business was a miraculous unplanned and unexpected outcome of my husband being laid off a few years back. He was scouring the internet in the two weeks of joblessness he experienced, looking for income opportunities. By the time we got our first booking he was already back to work but we decided to do it anyway, not expecting much. Fast forward a few years and 60 +glowing reviews and more than 100 dogs later and what do you know? I'm actually great at it! You should try out rover.com or something like that if you ever want to try it out.

artgrrl 06/30/2020

I am not agoraphobic tho I have extreme anxiety. My son who is 27 and lives at home (with me) has it tho. So I thank you both for your replies. It will help me understand him better❤️

hyperpgal 06/30/2020

Welcome Borachio! Congrats for reaching out--I think that was very brave--so don't count yourself out-you are already working on it. I love that you've found a career that you love that fits your life-I love animals. They can be the best company!

BorachioHatpeg 06/30/2020

Thanks so much hyperpgal. The dogs that I get to spend time with have been an actual life saver. It's the thing that makes me feel less useless and like I am pretty good at at least 1 thing. They help me so much more than I have ever been able to help them (though I do my best to keep them healthy and happy). I'm doing a new client meet and greet tonight, for the 1st time, by myself and I'm terrified. My roomate was supposed to help me (why I agreed to it) but he took off early this morning, and my husband will be in a different state working. Shitty.

BorachioHatpeg 06/30/2020

Thanks for responding artgrrl. Definitely try to do as much research as possible on agoraphobia if you are seeking understanding. The information available over the past couple of years is much more accurate and thorough than it used to be. Still it's tough to understand even for those experiencing it. Do your best to remain patient and understanding and informed and good luck to you both. Some sufferers manage recovery quickly and most are able to manage the symptoms with therapy and hard work.

here 06/30/2020

stick with it my friend. im new here but during crises 4 years ago this kind of thing REALLY DID help me survive day to day. im not sure id have made it without it

BorachioHatpeg 06/30/2020

Thank you here. I'm thinking anything is better than nothing. So far this has already helped me get through some of this morning

BarbJ 07/06/2020

I'm sorry you are experiencing all these emotions. I'm glad you have all the fur babies to keep you somewhat occupied. I'm new to this online support group, but have found comfort in people's responses to my post. I'm hoping you will find happiness. I just wanted you to know you're not alone and I'll be praying for you.

SDeluca 07/06/2020

Hi,

Well, you do have a lot going for you. You have a supportive husband (even if it's just financially, hey, that's something!). You have your own business and a disability check every month which is great. So at least you are doing SOMETHING and have some kind of income, even if it's not as much as you might like. You have a good friend who seems to help you as best as he can.

You have a lot more than a lot of other people. The only thing that you have to try and overcome is the agoraphobia. I don't know if you tried therapy and/ or medication. If not, now is the time to look into both of those things. Or even a live support group (once Covid is over). For now you can do teleconferencing support. It's better than nothing, although I don't do it. Real life support group has helped me tremendously in the past, more than therapy ever helped.

Join the Conversation