yes. I don't go out at night much anymore since I moved out of the city. I get panic attacks driving or riding in the car since my accident. And I also get panic attacks when I am around alot of people sometimes. Expecailly if I am not up to it...

I was agoraphobic for many years. I weighed nearly 300 pounds and hated for people to look at me. The only thing that drove me out were my childrens programs where I would have to arrive early so i could get bench seating in the back of the room so i could find a seat my butt would fit into. Its a gradual thing. you make yourself go a little further, a little more often. It does get easier. peace

I use to be that way, and still don't like real crowded places, but i will go whre there are not big crowds. wish you the best

The only time I really leave the house is to get my kids to where they have to go, and to go to doc appointments. Me and my kids are all in all different therapies and support groups. Other than that, I truly appreciate the sanctuary that is my home.

I hate leaving my house. But you just have to, so I do. That's all there is to it for me.

hiya hon,
i was the same, for 3 yrs, and on an angry day I saw my doc & let rip! I told him that I didnt think he was helping me enough! This wasnt right! He got out his big black book, looked up my meds - he doubled the dose of my ADs (effexor)to hospital size dose (300mg). It completely sorted out my agorph. & panic attacks after about a week. might be worth chatting to the doc...
Shame, I worked my way completely off them, had an extreme unrecogised manic patch, and double fried my central nervous system to oblivion! nothing worked except diazapan- doped up to the eye balls 4 times a day-bliss!! then they put me on lithium, this worked-made me feel completely numb-but no anxiety/panic..not much of a life..seems I have the choice of numb or panic. def prefer numb..least I can now go out locally escourted..follow your moods..

Hey there,
Yep, I was Agoraphobic for many years. That and the BP got me on Soc. Sec. Disability 14 years ago. I have been able to leave my home and get out for the past 8 years, but still have periods where I just can't. It does help for me to have a husband who can do certain things.

And, there are days when I need hubby to drive me places out of town.

So you aren't alone. Hugs!

yes i don't leave the house unless i absolutely have to.

For me it comes and goes. I fight through it though and force myself to smile at people and say hello and that way I see it is not so scary. There are more nice people in the world than bad people and it is better to experience their kindness than to hide from it. Take a chance everyday. Some days little ones and some days bigger but make yourself everyday especially when it is scary. Otherwise you get lost.

So far I manage alright, its just been getting worse lately, I skipped class twice last week and I just don't do anything on the weeked. I just feel so lame not being able to do everyday things and the more that gets affected the worse I feel and it becomes this huge cycle.. sigh

The trick is to recognize the cycle as it comes around and throw a wrench in the spokes. Change things up when you see the downer coming make plans with a friend or spend the night at your folks. Something way out of the ordinary so the cycle cannot begin.

Yea that's a good idea and it helps a lot ... this trip though nothing is helping ... with any of it

I have panic attacks when I leave the apartment. I will open the door and listen to see if anyone is in the halls. If there is I wait til they reach their door. I have trouble shopping(crowds and mobility), but crowds make the anxiety hit the roof. I go out for doc appointments and I make mtself go out for coffee once a week. Take care...there are good days and bad ones. Enjoy the good daysbecause on a bad day you have a memory that days can be wonderful.

I really have to force myself to go out sometimes.Im ok going out with B (my boyfriend) or my kids but going out alone can be nightmarish at times.I forced myself to out last week as i realised that id been in the house for 4 days solid.Always feel better for getting fresh air.Realise this is a major problem for some people and im lucky i seem to be not too bad xx

Hi, lstn1drlnd!!!
I'm like that too, and I really HATE it!!!!
On garbage night, I have to wait till about 10:30 PM to take it out, so no one will see me. And then, the next day, the empty bin sits out there until just as late the next night, before I can make myself bring it in.
The outside of my property looks terrible, because I cannot make myself go out there and do what needs doing and it's the kind of stuff that you can't do in the dark.
My blinds are always closed and I never answer the door and screen all my phone calls. Even bringing in the mail, which only requires the door being opened about a foot and then reaching in the box and getting it, causes me extreme anxiety.
LOLOLOLOL!!!!! Man, this sounds so funny and nutty, when I write it out like this, but it's a bit LESS funny, going through it!!!
The last time I saw my Pdoc, I told him I needed something that would reduce my anxiety enough so that I could get some serious yardwork done and he put me on Klonopin. It helps a little bit -- but not enough to make me unafraid of my evil neighbors!!! LOL!!!!
I see him again on Nov. 8th and will see what else he has in his bag of tricks!!!
I can force myself to go out and do the things which absoutely must be done, but it really raises my anxiety level!!!
If I figure out some way of dealing with or eliminating this condition, I'll let you know. And, please!! Do the same for me!!!!
I'm sorry that you are in such an unhappy place.
Have you told your doc that you are having this reaction to the change in your med routine!!!? I really think you should!!! Another tweak might make this recent downward turn go away!!!!!! And it really does sound as though what you are going through now may very well be a reaction to that!!!
Take care!!!!