It is a panic attack. And a need to stay away from multiple stimuli. I stopped going shopping for quite a while because of this. My hubby started insisting I go. He would drive and I would take a xanax. It got easier and easier and then I started cutting back on the dosage of xanax. Now, I can go into stores without a problem.

It sounds like Agoraphobia or anxiety. Both can be helped with medication.

PS: You felt safe at home in familiar surroundings. Our cars are an extension of our homes. Stores are "risky" because they aren't part of what we consider home.

Hi,

I get them sometimes and it can be scary. I always carry a Lorazepam in my purse for that reason. When I feel it coming on I chew it and within 5 minutes the panic attack passes. I'm not sure of the cause of yours but mine is part of my PTSD.

I have had it happen more then once to me...panic/confusion...scares me...yet when I am in my own home...all the familiar sounds and smells I have No panic attacks...this has gradually gotten worse over the last 10 years...when my husband takes me places all I can think about is going home...I have no attacks when he or my daughter are with me...but i just cannot have a good time cause i want to be at home...hope it gets no worse then this...have no clue what causes the sensation...have to say I am scared of very little.so no answers as I am in the same spot as you hon !!


Bonnie

I think this is agoraphobia. My understanding is that you develop an irrational fear of something not related to anything that has caused you any trauma in your lifetime...like being afraid to go over a bridge. The fear is fear of not being in control, and may not have anything to do what you are becoming afraid of. If this is indeed what you have, then you need to seek therapy as soon as possible. The drugs may enable you to do the task that you are afraid of but it will not address what you are really afraid of. Therefore the fear will pop up over something else.

I have agoraphobia, which began just this way, only in my case, one morning I couldn't go to work. Nor the 2nd, morning, nor the 3rd. From that day, I did not leave my home for more than a year, except to go to the doctor or therapist. Now, several years down the road, I rarely leave my house, never alone. My doctor said it was tied to the many tragedies I have uffered in my life. He said I had simply decided, sub-consciously, that the world is a cold, cruel place, and I wanted no part of it. I want to be in my comfort zone, which for me is my home. It has expanded enough that it now includes the car to a certain extent, and certain places, under certain conditions, if one or more of mu daughters are with me. Basically I live my life within the walls of my home. Therapy and medication can help, for many people it can be 'cured', or at least managed. I guess it depends on the person, and how hard they are willing to work on it, and how badly they want to go out. In my case, frankly, I am happy in my home, and it doesn't really bother me that I can't go out. Of course, I'm old! Less seriously, in your case, it may be a temporary case of anxiety and panic attacks that can easily be stopped with the right combination of meds and/or therapy. In any case, you do need to seek care, as it can progress very rapidly, as it did in my case. Left on its own it came become severe. In some cases people do not leave one room, or even a bed, for years. So, try not to worry about it, as that will make it worse, but do see your doctor asap. If you have any questions, you know, of course, that I will be happy to answer them if I can can. DS does have communities for both panic attacks and agoraphobia. I wish you the very best. Love, Sandra