i know the feeling, i can go to the mall if i am with my best friend. we have been best friends for 20 years. and i feel so at ease around him. he understands to he would never ask me to go somewhere i am not comfortable.
Panic attacks started when I was 10, 2 years later I developed agoraphobia... during those first 5 years I had no idea what is going on and didn't even know the name of my problem. My worst period was when I was 29 and 14 months I wasn't able to go from my room to living room, I remember I cried when I had to go to bathroom. I'm 51 now and last 8 years I've made a huge progress - I go out every day, enjoy my walk, coffee, hanging with my friends 😊 I can even travel some short distance alone. If anyone who will read this comment feels similar like I did I want to encourage you to keep trying, expose yourself to that fear and, trust me, you will be much better ❤ Believe in yourself, find small things that make you happy, be grateful and love yourself 🥰
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Proud to be 1 in 5 million. Does Agoraphobia suck? It sure does. But I've never loved and been kind to myself as much as I do now. "You cannot shame yourself into change. You can only love yourself into evolution"
Thank you for that quote. It brings new hope for me to find the motivation to push through my personal struggles and "evolve" into the independent and self sufficient human being I long to be 👍😉
this so resonates-I have friends that are trying to push me out for visits etc and it just makes me feel worse and more ashamed....I just know I will do baby steps and get out in the real world eventually I just need to be supported in that
I had a major setback for the last few months after years of anxiety (health, agoraphobia, general). I recently had a trip that I had to drive 100 plus miles to and stay a week then drive back! Up until the trip last week I was back to having anxiety and border line panic attacks (using my tools in the work belt) just going down the street again. Last Thursday was the trip. I had the worst anxiety (dpdr, dizziness, nausea, that jittery feeling and intrusive thoughts). I almost told my wife and 4 kids I couldn’t do it! I said “to hell with it”! Anxiety is the biggest liar! I drove the 100 miles…the drive was supposed to be 2 hrs that turned into 2 1//2…traffic jammed, took a wrong turn went on wrong freeway! I was tested but I kept not fighting it and allowed and even said to the anxiety…is this all you got! Give me more, make me feel even worse! I did it! I own that space! Thank you for videos! It had helped me face my anxiety and see it as a lie! Anxiety is a doing disorder and I gotta keep doing and keep making progress, or else, what’s in store for my future? NOTHING!
Well done! Actually when you said to your anxiety:"Give me more, make it worst of you!", you used a CBT approach, aka willingly accepting to feel it. That often works very well. For most agoraphobia sufferers (including myself) it is difficult to understand that the only way out is in fact to accept to go through all these terrible feelings. Ironically, the amygdala in the brain (which turns on anxiety) reprograms itself only when it is activated, that means that agoraphobia sufferers have to feel uncomfortable on purpose without retreating from situation. Only then the dissociation between 'feeling uncomfortable/anxious' and 'being in danger' takes place in the brain. So the most difficult part is to act first, knowing that feelings will follow actions, and not vice versa.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you for sharing your story. This is exactly me. It's always truly inspiring to hear of others fighting back their anxiety and winning. So well done, my friend and I genuinely hope you remain undefeated, Champ 😉👍
Been struggling with this for years, its debilitating and frustrating. I even have panic attacks in my own home still. Ill be 30 this year and I've missed so much of my 20s :/
How did you overcome it? Did you take medication? How long did it take? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really trying to overcome this agoraphobia, it's really interfering with family activites out there. Any tips, I would really appreciate!
@@DanielRamirez-df6vr no worries, I’m here to answer you. I’m not on medication I decided to do it naturally it’s tough but once you realize it’s just anxiety. You mentally want to overcome it. When I had bad agoraphobia I’m talking about I couldn’t even get out my room. I just kept practicing… I’d go into another room and another until my nervous system felt calmer. Then I’d go outside.. then from there I picked a location and I would go even if it was for a while. It’s a daily practice once I started to do that my body felt calms I still have my moments with anxiety but I always remind myself “I’m safe”
Thank you for making this video. I've struggled with agoraphobia for over 25yrs. I was raped at 19yrs old and the agoraphobia started at 20. It was so bad I couldn't leave my house in my 20's. I'm 45 and I work but bridges and the beltway has been my struggle for 20 yrs. I just want to be free from this mess. I just told my co worker I'm going to find a therapist to get out of this cycle. My coworker suffers from agoraphobia as well.
Hello, I am close in age and empathize with your experience. I am so sorry that happened to you. I had a similar experience that contributed to my agoraphobia. This video doesn't address when the bad things you are worried about happening if you go outside are based on historical traumatic experience! Something bad DID happen to us, so how do we shut off the anxiety of knowing this very real thing could happen again! I am currently agoraphobic and in therapy trying to get past this.
Funny timing. I just got home from getting my haircut. The 2 women who work at the barber shop are very friendly and I’ve been going there for 24 years. But, as usual, it took me days to finally get up the nerve to get there. I get so uncomfortable thinking about being there and sitting in the small waiting area with strangers. Thank God when I got there I was the only customer.
That's your survival brain protecting you even when you don't need it. It often works outside of reality. The defence mechanisms switch on "just in case ". All the things you fear will happen when you throw yourself into these situations, do these things ever happen? No. Like this video the only way through this is to throw yourself into the "danger" zone more and more until your brain realises it actually isn't dangerous then gets easier and easier.
@@SunnyBoyy448 yes, or the Dare method, or the Anxious truth method, they all have a grounding in Claire Weekes' methodology; face your fear dead on, don't flee, and sit with the discomfort until your brain and nervous system recognises there's nothing to be fearful/panicked about.
I like "The Anxious Truth" podcast and I hope the audio you shared helped some people, but I think a lot of people (myself included) that suffer from agoraphobia understand that it isn't the supermarket, the trip on the highway, etc... that causes heightened anxiety and panic at all. It is possible to simultaneously know the supermarket isn't the source of the issue while also avoiding it so you don't even risk the possibility of experiencing discomfort and/or an attack. Anxiety issues exacerbate themselves into this constant inner dialogue of trying to figure out root issues, but when you're in that "fight or flight" situation, you tend to not care about causes and just want the episode to end.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
My agoraphobia is about people hurting me and me not being able to stop them. Be it through humiliating me, bullying or literally stalking me and acting like a predator. I don't feel that fear when someone else is with me because nobody has done those things to me when I'm with someone.
oh my god, you took the words out of my mouth! i actually start to feel OVERconfident when i'm with other people. like i'd be the one to ask for the manager or start a conversation with a stranger. but my body acts like i'm actively DYING if i have to go anywhere by myself. i've been attacked before when i was alone at the gas station and im fucking terrified of that happening again.
mine stems from my father, he was an abusive drunk, that used to beat me as a child. there was a lot of stuff that happened in my childhood that my mother tells me that i have no clue of. i blocked a lot of it out, and my father died when i was 12, i thought finally i will be free of it, i was so wrong. it really sucks living like this. i think the worst thing, my mother told me a few years back, that when i was 9, i tried hanging myself in the basement. and my mother said something told her she had to go to the basement, and she found me hanging. i blocked it out i guess, but part of me wishes she never told me, because it breaks my heart that my mother had to go through that.
i've been in a situation i mistook a panic attack for a heart attack. i legitimately thought i was dying and called an ambulance. I desperately want to treat my anxiety and agoraphobia. i'm tired of struggling with basic things like going to the store or to the laundromat. i want to do things like fly alone and go out with friends (last time i went out i even went to an arcade i previously enjoyed, but i broke down and had to leave on my own birthday. which just left me embarrassed) my agoraphobia has gotten to the point i was avoiding showers just cuz the confinement and steam made me feel even more panicked. (i'm working on this now and having my partner encourage me every day) but i hope people out there learn to confront their fears as well. we can make a better life for ourselves and not let anxiety control us
I feel ya, I was in your shoes. You should try some herbal teas like Passionflower or Valerian to help calm your nerves. It helped me whenever I got too anxious and wired. Also, in a pinch a doctor told me to drink Benadryl, and it worked!
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I got diagnosed with agoraphobia 6 years ago and my psychiatrist wasn’t great at explaining it to me. I’ve learned sm more about it as the years have gone on and it’s been so beneficial. It never goes away but learning new skills has helped me so much. I went to having episodes 3x a day to 2x a month. Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. And learn to enjoy every moment, even the scary ones!! Sending love to everyone here!
Exposure therapy does work. You have to overcome your fears and dislikes. You have to challenge yourself to do what you don't want to do. The more you do something that you are afraid of... the more your fear goes away.
Thank you for reiterating this. It's always good to remember and repeat, so we never forget what we need to do to overcome our seemingly never ending fears or anxieties 👍
Thank you. I attempted an interstate trip today and got 3/4 of the way there, realized I was in a big wide open desert, started to panic, and bailed. I was riiight at the cusp of where I needed to be and I let my brain trick me. I've had anxiety my entire life. I literally don't know what it feels like to live an entire day without anxiety. I'm 35 now and I'm not spending the second half of my life like this. Tomorrow, armed with this information, in going to attempt a slightly altered version of the trip I attempted today and I will make it. 😊
Super cool to see one of my biggest OCD helpers commenting on here as well. Clicked the vid because my OCD lead to an inability to leave home for awhile. Went scrolling and what a neat surprise. Wishing you well. :)
Thank you so much for creating this video. Ive been working through what i now know is agoraphobia and thought it was driving anxiety. 15 months ago i had a series of panic attacks while I was driving my van. Totally unrelated to anything, i simply believe I was burnt out and the winter weather was a tad crummy. Ever since then, I have had such fear of having another panic attack while driving. I have peace driving to my normal daily locations, but have total fear when needing to drive further distances from my home. This has been so crippling. Looking back I can see that I have gone through stages in my life where driving anxiety was more prevelent than others, but those panic attacks last year really threw me into a brain dilemma that im still trying to dog myself out of. This information was so helpful and everything I've been doing to help myself is everything you said DON'T DO! 🤣 Control ...ugh....sigh. "Let go of control and face your feelings" is exactly what I needed to hear. I know I'm a good driver and I know I'm going to get back to where i was prior to the panic attacks, even if it takes me some time and a lot of prayer. 🙏❤️ Thank you again for this video.
My family told me if I didn’t go away and get help. They wouldn’t bother with me. I couldn’t find any place that took my insurance, at the same time the person who started this “witch hunt” used my agoraphobia as an excuse to not give me my share of an inheritance so they told ppl I was on drugs. But I kept testing negative. I’ve been bullied by my own family for a disease I don’t even understand and I hate it, and they gave me an impossible ultimatum. Which they never did when my dad was alive. But literally within 24 hours after his funeral, they cut me off entirely, including my kids who wound up brainwashed. Now. I’m actually worse than I was before bc this is someone I trusted with my life.
wow i’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and now on meds and therapist told me i have agoraphobia and recommended this channel and i’ve never related to something more
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I have CFS and at my worst when I was bedbound I was scared to leave my bedroom in case it was too much for my body. I didn’t see my house for over 18months, just the bedroom. I was scared to shower or bathe, even with help, so for 18 months I didn’t. I was scared of my children because they were so loud and noisy and they would overwhelm me and fatigue very quickly. I don’t think I suffered from agoraphobia but it feels similar. The fear was HUGE
I found my own way to cure social anxiety, bare with me im dead serious. When i buy shoes i but 2 pairs of the same shoe but with different colors. For example: i wear one red and s blue shoe, or a pink and a yellow shoe. People will look at you, some giggle, some stares, some probably think youre slow. After 2 weeks i dont mind when people notice me, look at me, or what they might think of me. It REALLY WORKS for me, just wanted to share. Anxiety is now 10% of what it was. Different color shoes works as a exposure therapy.
I can second (and third) this! I have autism and a lot of social anxiety. I used to dress very plainly and boring so I wouldn't stand out in any way. During covid I finally started adding a bunch of color to my wardrobe. Nobody would see it anyway. I finally started wearing the things I actually liked, but never felt comfortable with in public. Eventually lockdowns were lifted and I kept wearing my new clothes since I felt good in them. Not only were the responses, if any, always positive. I just learned people really don't care all that much. Then, not so long ago, I was invited to a very fancy wedding but didn't own or ever wore a suit before. I also really didn't think I'd feel comfortable in fancy clothes like that. Of course I first thought about getting the most common, unimaginative, typical suit and tie and get it over with. But while looking for one I came across an eye-catching blue suit with a fancy floral print which I really liked the look of. Somehow I managed to convince myself to get the fancy one ("as a joke" I thought). My friends absolutely LOVED it, most other people didn't even mention it or gave compliments too. The huge amount of anxiety I had for this fancy, busy wedding melted away like snow and I had an amazing time. (I was literally contemplating of not going to the wedding only a day before buying the suit!)
@@waltdistel716 Yeah they dont really care but if they do care or not like it , its not a big deal. I have adhd and Asperger, dont know if thats why im always anxious around alot of people. It has faded alot tho its almost gone by this point. When someone looks at me, then my shoes, then me i giggle in my head, i imagine her getting home "i saw the weirdest thing on the bus" And its only color of the shoes 😂 Keep dressing however you want, the more interesting others think you are the less anxiety you get
I stumbled onto a similar fix: cycling gear. Cycling bibs are tight and awkward and padded in a way that looks like a diaper, garnering similar stares. Realized that I didn't really care, and that they wouldn't either the second I was out of their line of sight. Made grocery trips in them anyway as part of a physical therapy regimen, and I hadn't expected "decreased social anxiety" to be one of the secondary benefits!
This video came very handy. This past week I had a setback with my PD and agoraphobia. I was afraid my life was going to be limited again. I then realized I am not that person anymore. I also realized it does not matter where I am. I just gotta look around and see that there's no danger
Thank you Emma for creating such a thoughtful video! I didn't realize I was experiencing agoraphobia until I watched this video. I get so excited everytime I watch one of your videos. Each video I watch teaches me more about myself, and therefore, life. You are empowering me to understand myself and to be able to manage my mind. I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!! With such a powerful effect on me, each video you put out must change many many lives (for the better.)
I understand that anxiety isn’t gonna hurt me but when I leave the house to go to work I shake and sweat how can I feel like that all day and be productive at work with such intense feelings that don’t go away
Prayer works for me. As I prepare for the day, and throughout it, I give Thanks to GOD for His "Peace". Making a conscious choice to Receive it. Letting It settle in. Carry It with you throughout the day. Blessings🦋
Hello! This video had disappeared. And now it is back. I'm glad it's back. Thank you very much for this video! And thank you very much for posting it again. I was a bit sad when I realized it had disappeared.
thank you SO MUCH for this video. I have been struggling for years to get back into going walking by myself which in turn has made my mental and physical health worse. I'm just so terrified of all the things that could go wrong and it keeps me from doing it. I appreciate this advice so much. 🖤 I have started little exposures but I haven't been able to be consistent with it yet.
Oh my goodness thank you so much for this. I've been dealing with this for 3 years. I can go outside but can't leave my driveway with having some level of anxiety.. because of a podcast of yours I listened to recently I did repetitive exposure therapy today drove to the end of my road several times for an hour.. it was REALLY hard but I did it!! Thank you for your videos you don't know how much they have helped me!!!
@@tayloryeates9484 I'm so sorry I don't know how to do this stuff but if you look back to her last video it's that one she talks about exposure therapy
This video is so helpful in reminding me how to get back into my pre-covid state of being able to actually leave the house and meet up with friends and do the shopping and drive out on busy roads. Every point made in this video is absolutely spot on. I used to use all of these helpful tips to help me to continue managing my anxiety and pushing through it to do all things I had too. COVID forced us to stay I side our homes and thus stay inside my most comfortable sanctuary, which set me right back to square one. I am now finding things much harder to cope with than ever before and I am losing motivation to push myself beyond my own made limitations through the anxiety I feel. Thank you so much for this video. Time for me to get my butt out of bed, showered, dressed and off to the shops. No more dallying.
For me, it's a struggle to leave the house, but once I get out, I feel a lot better. It's weird. I am not afraid or what's out there, it's like a physical block that I have. An invisible force field within myself. I feel trapped within myself and I try to burst out, but end up procrastinating and by the time I'm ready to get out the day if almost over.
Oh, it feels that way for me wheb im struggling with my adhd. If you arent afraid and feel like doing the things is sort of stuck behind a paywall, consider getting screened for adhd! Also, im not a dr 😅
Thank you for this video! I've been suffering from Agoraphobia for almost 10 years now. Exposure therapy wouldn't be as hard if it was "only" about the panic - I can tolerate my heart racing and I can tolerate dissociation. I can even tolerate a panic attack. What is unbearable for me is the sudden (and real!) urge many agoraphobics get to need a toilet right now. I know there are people who don't experience this so called "toilet anxiety" - but many agoraphobics do. It makes it so much harder.
THANK YOU for reuploading this. It touches everything correctly and describes my agoraphobia to a T. I can share this video with family members who have questions. Sending it to my therapist now 😅
Great content Emma. I listen to your content each morning on my walks and find them as great refreshers and appreciate what you are doing for self-care. The more authentic voices that can connect with the different personalities out there the better. I enjoy seeing your short content recently as well. You are a great mentor from afar.
I would argue that ongoing, regular panic is, indeed dangerous because excessive, long term increased levels of cortisol causes disease, damage, and a shortened life.
Okay but if you see it this way, you’ll have to leave the house at some point. You will still feel the panic all the time. Going out when you fear leaving the house is excessive increased levels of cortisol but after many attempts, that cortisol level will go down.
Thank you for this! I wouldn't go so far as to call myself Agoraphobic, but I have crippling levels of social anxiety that has majorly impeded my ability to have real relationships. (I obsess over all the possible ways that other people might judge me) Yes, my heart sank when I heard "Exposure Therapy" but I actually took a lot of comfort in hearing that it doesn't have to be anything major and I can just focus on one minor fear to strengthen my resilience. One of my biggest fears is people thinking I'm acting like a child. So, I'm going to (try to) commit myself to regularly go on the swing set at the little park near my house. It sounds so dumb, but I'm legitimately scared of doing it. As a 32 year old woman, I'm quite certain I will look like a fool using playground equipment that's meant for children. But it's a relatively isolated park and I THINK I can do it. . . (Wish me luck 😭)
As someone who suffered from Agoraphobia, one thing that help me a lot is to talk to my family and friends while seeing professional help, to everyone that suffers from this, I know your pain, I’ve been there, just know that in the end your going to make it and everything is going to be ok❤
I have been agoraphobic since the lockdown! Before, I had maybe 3 or 4 panic attacks a year in a car from age 5. Now I am 30 and can't get in a car without the fear of a panic attack 😥
Learning HOW to Calm yourself from a panic attack or trauma trigger, is probably one of the most beneficial ways of pushing through self limiting fears such as agoraphobia. Knowing that Wherever you are or the circumstance, that YOU Can Control the bodily sensations, with deep breathing, grounding, cold water, humming, a whiff of essential oil, or many other techniques, allows the freedom to take the Cure with you. As you practice, you gain confidence in your own abilities... Losing the fear of the circumstance.
These things are best learned and practiced consistently when not having the attacks so they're ingrained and easier, almost automatic. It's work that's worth it
I just realized there's a name for the fear I have... It feels reassuring that it's not stupid but also sad that it's going to be a lot harder to solve than i thought...
I've been experiencing a fear, not agoraphobia, but thought maybe this could help me. I swapped out agoraphobia for my fear and you still described my thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We've never met yet you read me like a book. The answer is to begin collecting good experiences so my brain can learn. This is cathartic. This is from Jesus. Ready or not here I gooooooooo.
I had no idea until now that i had agoraphobia. I hated my kids concerts, driving to the city, getting stuck in traffic, afraid to go to the hairdresser, afraid of walking too far from my car, afraid of flying, going to mass, queueing, afraid of soiling myself. I have been trying for YEARS to fix my anxiety but once i got over one trigger, the trigger would change shortly after and the cycle began again! This is nuts to me😮
The lead climbing example is so lovely and relatable! I'm a climber among other things and have dealt regularly with that fear along with my other anxieties.
I’m so sorry for everyone who deals with this. I feel like I may be heading down this path. As much as I can I want to just stay home. I’m terrified of not having certain medication when I’m out. So now I bring every single medication with me “just in case”. I’m scared to get vertigo, nausea, anxiety, panic attacks, stomach pain, or just anything. It’s terrifying. I feel ok as long as I bring every medication for every symptom I might feel. It’s horrible.
My anxiety and P.T.S.D is so severe i cant even comprehend these videos untill i pop a klonopin. I feel so much shame and humiliation. I go to the gym 2-3 days a week and thats a struggle as well. I also attend therapy. Im sweating as im typing this😂😢. I refuse to give up tho and i know i need to up my dose of klonopin for a while untill i conquer this. I know i cant avoid these emotions, so i remember how i feel and write them down. My plan is to taper off when i can and take the bull by the horns. Wish me luck ❤
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I was never diagnosed with agoraphobia, but I was diagnosed with panic disorder about a decade ago, and…it definitely manifested in a lot of the ways described in this video. If I had been able to afford to see a psychiatrist instead of a GP for my panic disorder, maybe they’d have identified me as having agoraphobia too, and maybe I’d have gotten more specific treatment/therapy. It took me years of work (supported by medication) to get through it and past it. Sometimes I think the pandemic set me back, though.
I do have to say I credit Xanax with helping me teach my brain that I could feel safe going places. There was a time period when I couldn’t have functioned in terms of going to work and having a social life if it weren’t for knowing that I COULD shut down my panic if I needed to. More often than not, I didn’t actually have to take the medication, but sometimes I did, and that was ok too.
I treated walking through my anxiety so my brain could learn like an experiment. For the first time I felt some curiosity with my anxiety. What I found on the other side was quite nice. See brain, so far so good. 😊❤
There is so much more to it than this. Exposure therapy can cause further harm for certain people. Especially some autistic folk. Also it is unsafe being out in public if your an adult and you go into sensory overload and autistic meltdown because majority of people have no awareness or skills to respond in safe, understanding ways to such distress that can be misinterpreted and people like security and the police can be called and great harm can result. So no, these are not unfounded anxieties or reasons for feeling unsafe about leaving the house. Thank you for discussing agoraphobia. As hardly anyone does.
I do worry about this as an autistic person. I'm scared to be out by myself because every single time friends or family have pointed out someone around us who was behaving in an erratic or dangerous way, or someone was following us, etc, it hasn't even been a blip on my radar. I just don't pick up on stuff like that. I'm not really scared of being in public, I'm just so naturally overwhelmed by the sensory information I'm getting that I don't notice nearly anything that I need to to keep myself safe. And unfortunately, we live in rather a scary area. There's a lot of public intoxication, violence, and crime.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Extremely helpful thank you 🙏🏾 I do exposure therapy on myself to heal from this! I do things that make me scared and talk to myself while in that space and help myself calm down. I have a bunch of tools that I use depending on the situation and what I need in the moment.
Thank you for this video. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in my early 20s, after a couple years it kinda went away but recently came back (with agoraphobia this time). My two pitfalls are thinking I can outsmart it, like if I can rationalize why I shouldn't be afraid then I won't be afraid (doesn't work), and relying on safety behaviors. I've been thinking of this as something that can be overcome with logic, brute force will power, and coping mechanisms. I guess I'm wrong in this, hence why I'm still struggling with it. I wrote notes down through your video and plan to make some changes, thank you for the insight
Thank you Emma, your wonderful... I can identify totally. Its a vicious circle. Mine wasn't panic just fear of my fealings and symptoms. Like fear of fear. Its crazy. I've got through my fear of going to big shops and walking further than my road for 4 months. But I've mastered it with your help and Music! Your safe. Come out of the fear tunnel everyone. Its silly and shouldn't let it get hold of you. Do Exposure therapy bit by bit. It works.... She's right. Have courage and be on Yr guard, see it off folks....
I'm so grateful to you and your channel! I've been experiencing agoraphobia for nearly 4 years now and it's gotten a lot better through exposure therapy BUT then I suddenly fall back into old patterns and fears which feels so frustrating! Why does this happen?
My agoraphobia started during my development of narcolepsy symptoms-I was no longer in complete control of my body. The nail in the coffin was Covid and dozens of mass shootings in this country every year. I'm agoraphobic because people scare the shit out of me.
Your videos have been a huge help. Thank you so much! I was able to go on an 8-hour drive although I didn't drive my dad did and that's a huge deal for me. I kept telling myself I was safe or just something I remember you saying and I could do this and I've done hard things before and this isn't that hard.
Some people's agoraphobia is reality-based though. For example, people from minority groups for whom it ISN'T safe outside. Some have been repeatedly traumatised over years by being attacked or bullied. They might have been actually harmed. Is this just not agoraphobia though? I'd love it if you were to address this in a video.
I can go places in a calmer state when it rains or during the night time. If it’s super bright and sunny days my anxiety peaks. I’ve tried so many meds and they made my situation worse. I wish I could fix this in 37 and had this since I was 17 years old. Life hasn’t been too nice to me. 😊
It started for me after several years of traumatic events. I stopped going to grocery stores, crowded places and stopped going out at night. Eventually i stopped going outside and only went out when i needed my medication refill. I didn't realize that it got bad when a family member addressed it a year later bc she noticed i wouldnt even go take the trasg out back and let my bro take on that task. Now, if i do go out, im usually not alone & with someone due to my frequent meltdowns in public. It took me this past year to mentally prepare to travel internationally with my fam for 3 weeks this past month. It took a HUGE toll on me forsue 😂
Its absolutely insane just how bad it can get if you let it. One day i overslept on the weekend and my routine was always the store on sunday for groceries at like 9am before it gets too packed out of convenience, not really out of fear. Something got re planted and started to slowly affect other areas, i could push through but not confidently at all. I called the crisis line to dump everything out so i can get to the store and my car was dead because i havent driven in a week. I waved and stopped a neighbor to help me jump the battery and didnt have cables. I didnt want to knock on someones door, so i called a cab to help jump me. I had no idea that would happen but as soon as it did i had to just deal with it, the only hard part was walking out the front door
I became agoraphobic at age 13 when I began having regular panic attacks. It was 100% the fear of humiliation from losing control in public. I actually avoided flying for years because I pictured myself running up and down the aisles screaming and trying to get out of the plane! 😂 but also 😢 Thank god I got better in my 20s.
@@GabbyDabs I took a short flight at 16 - NYC to Greensboro, NC both ways for a wedding. I got through a 2 hour flight ok. But by that time I had cut sugar out of my diet and exercised 1 hour daily, and that made a HUGE difference in my anxiety!
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I've been diagnosed with it after 15 years suffering. But I genuinely DO vomit in social situations, had sudden diarrhoea in social situations, had LOADS of panic attacks in public places. But I'm not entirely housebound there's TWO shops I feel reasonably safe in, a little anxious and avoid them at busiest times and use self check out but I can just about manage them. I can do countryside walks but only because if my dogs but I go to the quietest unknown places and if a group of walkers happened to be nearby I'll hide or take a different path. I feel I can't have more than one stranger in my home like for repairs etc. I feel safest in my car and my private gated garden but high anxiety on motorways so I don't do motorways. I'm also bipolar with photophobia, phonophobia, migraines, ME, fibromyalgia, CF, arthritis and severe travel sickness, general dizzy spells and always get a travelling feeling. Only time I'm okay travelling is when I'm driving.
I also wish there was more research on hormonal causation. There are times in people's lives; puberty, post-pregnancy and peri-menopause, when the imbalance of hormones can kickstart an anxiety disorder or depression when there's previously been no instance of it. And no matter how much you try to expose and 'float through' the oft times horrific anxiety and panic, when there's a PHYSIOLOGICAL cause it can feel like you're hitting a brick wall.
when i was 16 i was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, and then when i was 24, i was further diagnosed with agoraphobia. going outside doesn't bother me, it's being around people i don't know. i was in a orientation for a job when i was 24, there was a lot of people in this room, and the employer went around the room from person to person, asking what do you think your best quality is. and eventually he got to me, and i kinda locked up, i couldn't think of anything, i can't even remember what i said, but the whole time i was sitting there, i could feel everyone looking at me, it was so intense. that it not only felt like they were looking at me, but literally looking right through me. i could feel their eyes burning a hole right through me. i stuck it out until the break which was after he got to the last person about another 15 minutes, and i just couldn't do it.
Hello, thank you for your words of wisdom. They make total sense with a normal brain way of thinking and rationalising. Very valuable steps tobwork through. Many blessings a mum in the UK 🇬🇧🙏
I know that there is so much to know about neuroplasticity. In some was characteristic be positive and negative, know what they are. Life or people always seeking out negativity . Controlling anger, learn to say nice things about self, that should be easier if worry more about self, not so much about others
I have serious issues with the bus. Every work day, I am exposed to my stressor. I can barely get to and from work. It doesn't get better. Unless the bus is empty. I can't do anything else, and I just say home.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I’ve had agoraphobia for over a decade. It used to be only really in cars/public transport. Especially if there’s traffic and I feel stuck. It proceeded to things like hairdressers too. I actually got over it for years but then got stuck in traffic needing the toilet for like 2 hours and it came back. Limits me to what I do. Anywhere my wife wants to go my question is always “how far away is it?” If it’s over 20 minutes drive that’s panic attack territory. Now it’s proceeded to often all day long anxiety due to health anxiety. Having both is brutal because the acrophobia is worse because now I’m worried about my health when I’m outside stuck somewhere. I also quit nicotine whilst having a mental breakdown after having a serious allergic reaction which hospitalised me and I nearly died. Now I have GERDS. It’s been an awful few months. Main issue is being scared of panicking like is said in this video. Im not even a fearful person at all. Pure agoraphobia was manageable although not good at all. Now every day is a nightmare. Trying to improve and don’t want to rely on medication. I’m 100% clean from anything right now and want to push through like that rather than masking it or relying on it which will bring it back eventually.
I find that anxious wrecks like me have all of these fears because we think too much about everything and in my case think too deep about life and try to figure everything out. My agoraphobia is less now due to throwing myself into what I fear more and more until it gets easier and easier. What everyone needs to make their brain realise is all the things we fear about going out and being in public etc all the things we catastrophize about never come true except in our heads and how it makes us feel. I think the news doesnt help because always reporting someone being stabbed and all this craziness happens in public and makes us just want to be safe and stay in smh. Thats what fear in our mind is our survival brain "protecting" us but really its destroying us. We deserve to enjoy being out like everyone else. Thats what we need to train our brains to realise what is true. Start with baby steps and keep going into the uncomfortable zone then take it a step further.
My agoraphobia started as generalized anxiety from being laughed at in middle school and high school. That led to social anxiety. That led to panic disorder. That led to agoraphobia. The only medication that worked were benzos and I became addicted. Without benzos it's all of those symptoms X10. About 3 or 4 years of being terrified to go 1/4 of a mile down the road to the gas station for cigarettes. I finally had enough. I got off the benzos and for some CBT seems to work but it did not help me because I am a stubborn person mentally The only thing that seems to work for me and I hope it stays that way is to go through the terror. Expose yourself so much that it becomes more of your life than being at home. Make it a point to spend most of the day outside at the store, driving or whatever it is. Desensitizing is the scariest but quickest and most efficient cure. It is not for everybody. You have to be very, very self-aware of how you're thinking and feeling. But if you are one of those that think you can face the fears and push through like a warrior, I recommend it. I still struggle daily but I went from being stuck in my bedroom to a workaholic. (Still have tremendous social anxiety and generalized but getting out of the house and being around people is a start.) There is a saying some use that says when things seem hard try to make it harder. Only then you will grow. And I have found these words to be very true God bless. I pray God will surround those with nothing but his peace and love for those suffering from this terrible rewiring of the brain 💚
i’m not sure if it’s agoraphobia, or ptsd, but last year we went to a state fair and someone started shooting right behind us and it’s been hard to go to the stores since
I've been agoraphobic since I was a teenager, and I got prescribed antidepressants a few years after having started experiencing panic attacks and agoraphobia - and I would actually not recommend anyone using antidepressants for agoraphobia. It might help in the beginning but our bodies get used to the medication after some time, and the "good effect" from the antidepressants wear off - because that's what our brain does. After some time on antidepressants I still had agoraphobia + the problems with trying to come off antidepressants. I've been on antidepressants for 15 years now, and I wish I had gotten therapy from the start to deal with the fear of having anxiety. Antidepressants are basically avoidance in a pill + all the potential side-effects, and withdrawal symptoms when you no longer want to use it.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything. And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
The hardest thing is comorbidity. I have agoraphobia as a result of emetophobia because my biggest fear is throwing up in public while I'm far away from my refuge (my home). Even queuing at the supermarket checkout is awful, because I feel trapped and I think "What if I start feeling sick?". I do exposure therapy, it's long and exhausting, but I cannot accept that vomit is possible. I mean, if I'd allow all my anxiety to happen, something bad could happen, I could throw up because nausea is a normal response to anxiety. So I'd prove to myself that what I do is dangerous or that's what I perceive. That's why I never feel safe. Does anyone feel the same way that I do?
I am almost 7 years into this current status, the fourth time in my life that I have had what we used to call a nervous breakdown. One thing that may help you that works for me, especially when I get terrified which brings on that feeling like I am going to just pass out, is to try to notice something about the person in front or behind me in the line and speak to them--maybe they have a nice shirt or pretty hair, it doesn't have to be something big. No one has ever been mean to me or refused to engage in a conversation while we are waiting our turn. I have met some really neat people I would have never met otherwise, and while we are talking, most of my fear dissipates. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their life stories, and so while they are talking and I am listening, I can relax. I do know what you mean about having the feared event happening and it reinforcing the fear. I have had some brutal panic attacks in the grocery store, and kept going, sobbing. It is a struggle, and I have sometimes had to run to the bathroom in the store (the feared attack of diarrhea in the store and will I make it to the toilet) but just going to the store is a triumph for both of us. And I know what you mean by never feeling safe. My therapist has helped me dig into my past and we have discovered where some of my fears come from, events in my childhood that were terrifying and my parents scolding me for crying. That knowledge helps too, to know why you are frightened and to know that you aren't imagining that you are in fear! Knowledge is power, and I hate it when people ask me what I am afraid of and all I can say is "I don't know, I am just afraid." I send healing wishes to you and hope that one day we will both be free of these fears.
@@shirleykaye4344 thank you Shirley, you wrote the kindest message I've ever received. Thank you for the suggestion of noticing and speaking to the people in the line. I'll try to put it into practice. I had some horrible panick/anxiety attacks while going for a walk with a terrible nausea even recently, the day after I always go for another walk because I don't want the phobia to prevail, but sometimes the panick attack is so discouraging. You think you're doing great, making progress, but all of sudden you have the panick attack and it seems that you lose all the progress you made. I also have events in my childhood that caused the phobia and my parents mocking me, they never reassured me while I was terrified. It's not easy to forgive. Maybe that's why I would feel really embarassed If felt sick in public. I send the same wishes to you, hoping our fears will be just a bad memory soon.
Improve your mental health with the free course, courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd
Every video makes me feel less alone and weird, best therapist I’ve ever listened to.
You're not alone!!
Same!❤
i know the feeling, i can go to the mall if i am with my best friend. we have been best friends for 20 years. and i feel so at ease around him. he understands to he would never ask me to go somewhere i am not comfortable.
Panic attacks started when I was 10, 2 years later I developed agoraphobia... during those first 5 years I had no idea what is going on and didn't even know the name of my problem. My worst period was when I was 29 and 14 months I wasn't able to go from my room to living room, I remember I cried when I had to go to bathroom. I'm 51 now and last 8 years I've made a huge progress - I go out every day, enjoy my walk, coffee, hanging with my friends 😊 I can even travel some short distance alone. If anyone who will read this comment feels similar like I did I want to encourage you to keep trying, expose yourself to that fear and, trust me, you will be much better ❤ Believe in yourself, find small things that make you happy, be grateful and love yourself 🥰
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you for sharing this. I am very proud of you for this progress you have made. Well done 👏
@@gamer-8955 🍀❤️
Open spaces are a challenge for me.
Is there any way I can message you?
Proud to be 1 in 5 million. Does Agoraphobia suck? It sure does. But I've never loved and been kind to myself as much as I do now. "You cannot shame yourself into change. You can only love yourself into evolution"
🥰🌷💫🌷💫🌷🙏
Thanks for that.
Thank you for that quote. It brings new hope for me to find the motivation to push through my personal struggles and "evolve" into the independent and self sufficient human being I long to be 👍😉
this so resonates-I have friends that are trying to push me out for visits etc and it just makes me feel worse and more ashamed....I just know I will do baby steps and get out in the real world eventually I just need to be supported in that
You cannot shame yourself into change. Man that means a lot to me
I had a major setback for the last few months after years of anxiety (health, agoraphobia, general). I recently had a trip that I had to drive 100 plus miles to and stay a week then drive back! Up until the trip last week I was back to having anxiety and border line panic attacks (using my tools in the work belt) just going down the street again. Last Thursday was the trip. I had the worst anxiety (dpdr, dizziness, nausea, that jittery feeling and intrusive thoughts). I almost told my wife and 4 kids I couldn’t do it! I said “to hell with it”! Anxiety is the biggest liar! I drove the 100 miles…the drive was supposed to be 2 hrs that turned into 2 1//2…traffic jammed, took a wrong turn went on wrong freeway! I was tested but I kept not fighting it and allowed and even said to the anxiety…is this all you got! Give me more, make me feel even worse! I did it! I own that space! Thank you for videos! It had helped me face my anxiety and see it as a lie! Anxiety is a doing disorder and I gotta keep doing and keep making progress, or else, what’s in store for my future? NOTHING!
You did it! Proud of you! Keep going!
Well done,mate.Had it for 30 yrs and its been a nightmare.Im working on it though😊
Well done! Actually when you said to your anxiety:"Give me more, make it worst of you!", you used a CBT approach, aka willingly accepting to feel it. That often works very well. For most agoraphobia sufferers (including myself) it is difficult to understand that the only way out is in fact to accept to go through all these terrible feelings. Ironically, the amygdala in the brain (which turns on anxiety) reprograms itself only when it is activated, that means that agoraphobia sufferers have to feel uncomfortable on purpose without retreating from situation. Only then the dissociation between 'feeling uncomfortable/anxious' and 'being in danger' takes place in the brain. So the most difficult part is to act first, knowing that feelings will follow actions, and not vice versa.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you for sharing your story. This is exactly me. It's always truly inspiring to hear of others fighting back their anxiety and winning. So well done, my friend and I genuinely hope you remain undefeated, Champ 😉👍
I remember I had this when things got bad for me… now it’s like I don’t want to be home 😅 so whoever is going through this! You CAN overcome this! 🙂
Been struggling with this for years, its debilitating and frustrating. I even have panic attacks in my own home still. Ill be 30 this year and I've missed so much of my 20s :/
Same @@Pidgeonz
Did you use medication?
How did you overcome it? Did you take medication? How long did it take? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm really trying to overcome this agoraphobia, it's really interfering with family activites out there. Any tips, I would really appreciate!
@@DanielRamirez-df6vr no worries, I’m here to answer you. I’m not on medication I decided to do it naturally it’s tough but once you realize it’s just anxiety. You mentally want to overcome it. When I had bad agoraphobia I’m talking about I couldn’t even get out my room. I just kept practicing… I’d go into another room and another until my nervous system felt calmer. Then I’d go outside.. then from there I picked a location and I would go even if it was for a while. It’s a daily practice once I started to do that my body felt calms I still have my moments with anxiety but I always remind myself “I’m safe”
agoraphobia is terrible. like as if being afraid isnt bad enough, being scared of being afraid is like 1000x more anxiety.
Bruh yes 😂
Agreed
Thank you for making this video. I've struggled with agoraphobia for over 25yrs. I was raped at 19yrs old and the agoraphobia started at 20. It was so bad I couldn't leave my house in my 20's. I'm 45 and I work but bridges and the beltway has been my struggle for 20 yrs. I just want to be free from this mess. I just told my co worker I'm going to find a therapist to get out of this cycle. My coworker suffers from agoraphobia as well.
Good luck, I hope you’re doing well 😊
How are you doing today?
Hello, I am close in age and empathize with your experience. I am so sorry that happened to you. I had a similar experience that contributed to my agoraphobia. This video doesn't address when the bad things you are worried about happening if you go outside are based on historical traumatic experience! Something bad DID happen to us, so how do we shut off the anxiety of knowing this very real thing could happen again! I am currently agoraphobic and in therapy trying to get past this.
Funny timing. I just got home from getting my haircut. The 2 women who work at the barber shop are very friendly and I’ve been going there for 24 years. But, as usual, it took me days to finally get up the nerve to get there. I get so uncomfortable thinking about being there and sitting in the small waiting area with strangers. Thank God when I got there I was the only customer.
I feel you. You did great! I am proud of you.
That's your survival brain protecting you even when you don't need it. It often works outside of reality. The defence mechanisms switch on "just in case ".
All the things you fear will happen when you throw yourself into these situations, do these things ever happen? No. Like this video the only way through this is to throw yourself into the "danger" zone more and more until your brain realises it actually isn't dangerous then gets easier and easier.
I swear getting a haircut has turned into one of my last triggers. I used to feel so relaxed after haircuts that I could take a nap, too.
Learn the Claire Weekes method
@@SunnyBoyy448 yes, or the Dare method, or the Anxious truth method, they all have a grounding in Claire Weekes' methodology; face your fear dead on, don't flee, and sit with the discomfort until your brain and nervous system recognises there's nothing to be fearful/panicked about.
I like "The Anxious Truth" podcast and I hope the audio you shared helped some people, but I think a lot of people (myself included) that suffer from agoraphobia understand that it isn't the supermarket, the trip on the highway, etc... that causes heightened anxiety and panic at all. It is possible to simultaneously know the supermarket isn't the source of the issue while also avoiding it so you don't even risk the possibility of experiencing discomfort and/or an attack.
Anxiety issues exacerbate themselves into this constant inner dialogue of trying to figure out root issues, but when you're in that "fight or flight" situation, you tend to not care about causes and just want the episode to end.
agoraphobia 42 years on and off but I'm fighting back again and using these methods
❤
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Learn the Claire Weekes method
The struggles will always be there, but what is important is that you never give up. And it seems you are still fighting back, so well done
My agoraphobia is about people hurting me and me not being able to stop them. Be it through humiliating me, bullying or literally stalking me and acting like a predator. I don't feel that fear when someone else is with me because nobody has done those things to me when I'm with someone.
oh my god, you took the words out of my mouth! i actually start to feel OVERconfident when i'm with other people. like i'd be the one to ask for the manager or start a conversation with a stranger. but my body acts like i'm actively DYING if i have to go anywhere by myself. i've been attacked before when i was alone at the gas station and im fucking terrified of that happening again.
mine stems from my father, he was an abusive drunk, that used to beat me as a child. there was a lot of stuff that happened in my childhood that my mother tells me that i have no clue of. i blocked a lot of it out, and my father died when i was 12, i thought finally i will be free of it, i was so wrong. it really sucks living like this.
i think the worst thing, my mother told me a few years back, that when i was 9, i tried hanging myself in the basement. and my mother said something told her she had to go to the basement, and she found me hanging. i blocked it out i guess, but part of me wishes she never told me, because it breaks my heart that my mother had to go through that.
i've been in a situation i mistook a panic attack for a heart attack. i legitimately thought i was dying and called an ambulance. I desperately want to treat my anxiety and agoraphobia. i'm tired of struggling with basic things like going to the store or to the laundromat. i want to do things like fly alone and go out with friends (last time i went out i even went to an arcade i previously enjoyed, but i broke down and had to leave on my own birthday. which just left me embarrassed) my agoraphobia has gotten to the point i was avoiding showers just cuz the confinement and steam made me feel even more panicked. (i'm working on this now and having my partner encourage me every day) but i hope people out there learn to confront their fears as well. we can make a better life for ourselves and not let anxiety control us
Have you tried low dose medication for a short time to get you through it?
@@EMunaBee i unfortunately do not have health insurance or a job beyond streaming at the moment
I feel ya, I was in your shoes. You should try some herbal teas like Passionflower or Valerian to help calm your nerves. It helped me whenever I got too anxious and wired.
Also, in a pinch a doctor told me to drink Benadryl, and it worked!
As a philosopher once said " the cure is in the pain "
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I got diagnosed with agoraphobia 6 years ago and my psychiatrist wasn’t great at explaining it to me. I’ve learned sm more about it as the years have gone on and it’s been so beneficial. It never goes away but learning new skills has helped me so much. I went to having episodes 3x a day to 2x a month. Love yourself. Be kind to yourself. And learn to enjoy every moment, even the scary ones!! Sending love to everyone here!
Exposure therapy does work. You have to overcome your fears and dislikes. You have to challenge yourself to do what you don't want to do. The more you do something that you are afraid of... the more your fear goes away.
Thank you for reiterating this. It's always good to remember and repeat, so we never forget what we need to do to overcome our seemingly never ending fears or anxieties 👍
Thank you. I attempted an interstate trip today and got 3/4 of the way there, realized I was in a big wide open desert, started to panic, and bailed. I was riiight at the cusp of where I needed to be and I let my brain trick me. I've had anxiety my entire life. I literally don't know what it feels like to live an entire day without anxiety. I'm 35 now and I'm not spending the second half of my life like this. Tomorrow, armed with this information, in going to attempt a slightly altered version of the trip I attempted today and I will make it. 😊
How did you do
So brave!
Great video as always! 💜
Super cool to see one of my biggest OCD helpers commenting on here as well. Clicked the vid because my OCD lead to an inability to leave home for awhile. Went scrolling and what a neat surprise.
Wishing you well. :)
Thank you so much for creating this video. Ive been working through what i now know is agoraphobia and thought it was driving anxiety. 15 months ago i had a series of panic attacks while I was driving my van. Totally unrelated to anything, i simply believe I was burnt out and the winter weather was a tad crummy. Ever since then, I have had such fear of having another panic attack while driving. I have peace driving to my normal daily locations, but have total fear when needing to drive further distances from my home. This has been so crippling. Looking back I can see that I have gone through stages in my life where driving anxiety was more prevelent than others, but those panic attacks last year really threw me into a brain dilemma that im still trying to dog myself out of. This information was so helpful and everything I've been doing to help myself is everything you said DON'T DO! 🤣 Control ...ugh....sigh. "Let go of control and face your feelings" is exactly what I needed to hear. I know I'm a good driver and I know I'm going to get back to where i was prior to the panic attacks, even if it takes me some time and a lot of prayer. 🙏❤️ Thank you again for this video.
My family told me if I didn’t go away and get help. They wouldn’t bother with me. I couldn’t find any place that took my insurance, at the same time the person who started this “witch hunt” used my agoraphobia as an excuse to not give me my share of an inheritance so they told ppl I was on drugs. But I kept testing negative. I’ve been bullied by my own family for a disease I don’t even understand and I hate it, and they gave me an impossible ultimatum. Which they never did when my dad was alive. But literally within 24 hours after his funeral, they cut me off entirely, including my kids who wound up brainwashed.
Now. I’m actually worse than I was before bc this is someone I trusted with my life.
wow i’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and now on meds and therapist told me i have agoraphobia and recommended this channel and i’ve never related to something more
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I have CFS and at my worst when I was bedbound I was scared to leave my bedroom in case it was too much for my body. I didn’t see my house for over 18months, just the bedroom. I was scared to shower or bathe, even with help, so for 18 months I didn’t. I was scared of my children because they were so loud and noisy and they would overwhelm me and fatigue very quickly. I don’t think I suffered from agoraphobia but it feels similar. The fear was HUGE
I found my own way to cure social anxiety, bare with me im dead serious.
When i buy shoes i but 2 pairs of the same shoe but with different colors.
For example: i wear one red and s blue shoe, or a pink and a yellow shoe.
People will look at you, some giggle, some stares, some probably think youre slow.
After 2 weeks i dont mind when people notice me, look at me, or what they might think of me. It REALLY WORKS for me, just wanted to share.
Anxiety is now 10% of what it was. Different color shoes works as a exposure therapy.
I can second (and third) this! I have autism and a lot of social anxiety. I used to dress very plainly and boring so I wouldn't stand out in any way. During covid I finally started adding a bunch of color to my wardrobe. Nobody would see it anyway. I finally started wearing the things I actually liked, but never felt comfortable with in public. Eventually lockdowns were lifted and I kept wearing my new clothes since I felt good in them. Not only were the responses, if any, always positive. I just learned people really don't care all that much.
Then, not so long ago, I was invited to a very fancy wedding but didn't own or ever wore a suit before. I also really didn't think I'd feel comfortable in fancy clothes like that. Of course I first thought about getting the most common, unimaginative, typical suit and tie and get it over with. But while looking for one I came across an eye-catching blue suit with a fancy floral print which I really liked the look of. Somehow I managed to convince myself to get the fancy one ("as a joke" I thought). My friends absolutely LOVED it, most other people didn't even mention it or gave compliments too. The huge amount of anxiety I had for this fancy, busy wedding melted away like snow and I had an amazing time. (I was literally contemplating of not going to the wedding only a day before buying the suit!)
@@waltdistel716 Yeah they dont really care but if they do care or not like it , its not a big deal.
I have adhd and Asperger, dont know if thats why im always anxious around alot of people.
It has faded alot tho its almost gone by this point.
When someone looks at me, then my shoes, then me i giggle in my head, i imagine her getting home "i saw the weirdest thing on the bus"
And its only color of the shoes 😂
Keep dressing however you want, the more interesting others think you are the less anxiety you get
genius!
@@LinauLee 😀
I stumbled onto a similar fix: cycling gear. Cycling bibs are tight and awkward and padded in a way that looks like a diaper, garnering similar stares. Realized that I didn't really care, and that they wouldn't either the second I was out of their line of sight.
Made grocery trips in them anyway as part of a physical therapy regimen, and I hadn't expected "decreased social anxiety" to be one of the secondary benefits!
This video came very handy. This past week I had a setback with my PD and agoraphobia. I was afraid my life was going to be limited again. I then realized I am not that person anymore. I also realized it does not matter where I am. I just gotta look around and see that there's no danger
Thank you Emma for creating such a thoughtful video!
I didn't realize I was experiencing agoraphobia until I watched this video.
I get so excited everytime I watch one of your videos.
Each video I watch teaches me more about myself, and therefore, life.
You are empowering me to understand myself and to be able to manage my mind.
I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!!
With such a powerful effect on me, each video you put out must change many many lives (for the better.)
I understand that anxiety isn’t gonna hurt me but when I leave the house to go to work I shake and sweat how can I feel like that all day and be productive at work with such intense feelings that don’t go away
Prayer works for me.
As I prepare for the day, and throughout it, I give Thanks to GOD for His "Peace".
Making a conscious choice to Receive it. Letting It settle in. Carry It with you throughout the day.
Blessings🦋
@@seabee5695 Sorry I’m not religious I don’t believe praying can cure anything I do like to meditate which works really good when I stick with it
@@Thebeachtraderjust “ask” for help with it. Ask the universe, ask your angels to help you with this fear.
And exposure therapy.
Rewatch what she says at 3:11
@@seabee5695 love this, I'm not religious but I know there is Divinity & prayer changed my life. It feels soooo good.
Hello!
This video had disappeared. And now it is back. I'm glad it's back. Thank you very much for this video! And thank you very much for posting it again. I was a bit sad when I realized it had disappeared.
thank you SO MUCH for this video. I have been struggling for years to get back into going walking by myself which in turn has made my mental and physical health worse. I'm just so terrified of all the things that could go wrong and it keeps me from doing it. I appreciate this advice so much. 🖤 I have started little exposures but I haven't been able to be consistent with it yet.
I feel exactly the same. Your story is my story, essentially. ❤️
Oh my goodness thank you so much for this. I've been dealing with this for 3 years. I can go outside but can't leave my driveway with having some level of anxiety.. because of a podcast of yours I listened to recently I did repetitive exposure therapy today drove to the end of my road several times for an hour.. it was REALLY hard but I did it!! Thank you for your videos you don't know how much they have helped me!!!
Could you link me the podcast please?
@@tayloryeates9484 I'm so sorry I don't know how to do this stuff but if you look back to her last video it's that one she talks about exposure therapy
@@tayloryeates9484th-cam.com/video/TYQ2qWgVJrY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=asr7eyoYhtFnHoRa
I apologize I didn't think I knew how to do it.. I believe it's this one
This video is so helpful in reminding me how to get back into my pre-covid state of being able to actually leave the house and meet up with friends and do the shopping and drive out on busy roads. Every point made in this video is absolutely spot on. I used to use all of these helpful tips to help me to continue managing my anxiety and pushing through it to do all things I had too. COVID forced us to stay I side our homes and thus stay inside my most comfortable sanctuary, which set me right back to square one. I am now finding things much harder to cope with than ever before and I am losing motivation to push myself beyond my own made limitations through the anxiety I feel. Thank you so much for this video. Time for me to get my butt out of bed, showered, dressed and off to the shops. No more dallying.
For me, it's a struggle to leave the house, but once I get out, I feel a lot better. It's weird. I am not afraid or what's out there, it's like a physical block that I have. An invisible force field within myself. I feel trapped within myself and I try to burst out, but end up procrastinating and by the time I'm ready to get out the day if almost over.
Oh, it feels that way for me wheb im struggling with my adhd. If you arent afraid and feel like doing the things is sort of stuck behind a paywall, consider getting screened for adhd! Also, im not a dr 😅
Thank you for this video! I've been suffering from Agoraphobia for almost 10 years now. Exposure therapy wouldn't be as hard if it was "only" about the panic - I can tolerate my heart racing and I can tolerate dissociation. I can even tolerate a panic attack. What is unbearable for me is the sudden (and real!) urge many agoraphobics get to need a toilet right now. I know there are people who don't experience this so called "toilet anxiety" - but many agoraphobics do. It makes it so much harder.
I feel so seen and validated. Thank you for helping me understand the "why" of agoraphobia.
THANK YOU for reuploading this. It touches everything correctly and describes my agoraphobia to a T. I can share this video with family members who have questions. Sending it to my therapist now 😅
Great content Emma. I listen to your content each morning on my walks and find them as great refreshers and appreciate what you are doing for self-care. The more authentic voices that can connect with the different personalities out there the better. I enjoy seeing your short content recently as well. You are a great mentor from afar.
I would argue that ongoing, regular panic is, indeed dangerous because excessive, long term increased levels of cortisol causes disease, damage, and a shortened life.
Okay but if you see it this way, you’ll have to leave the house at some point. You will still feel the panic all the time. Going out when you fear leaving the house is excessive increased levels of cortisol but after many attempts, that cortisol level will go down.
Thank you for this! I wouldn't go so far as to call myself Agoraphobic, but I have crippling levels of social anxiety that has majorly impeded my ability to have real relationships. (I obsess over all the possible ways that other people might judge me) Yes, my heart sank when I heard "Exposure Therapy" but I actually took a lot of comfort in hearing that it doesn't have to be anything major and I can just focus on one minor fear to strengthen my resilience.
One of my biggest fears is people thinking I'm acting like a child. So, I'm going to (try to) commit myself to regularly go on the swing set at the little park near my house. It sounds so dumb, but I'm legitimately scared of doing it. As a 32 year old woman, I'm quite certain I will look like a fool using playground equipment that's meant for children. But it's a relatively isolated park and I THINK I can do it. . .
(Wish me luck 😭)
As someone who suffered from Agoraphobia, one thing that help me a lot is to talk to my family and friends while seeing professional help, to everyone that suffers from this, I know your pain, I’ve been there, just know that in the end your going to make it and everything is going to be ok❤
Thank you 😊
I have been agoraphobic since the lockdown! Before, I had maybe 3 or 4 panic attacks a year in a car from age 5. Now I am 30 and can't get in a car without the fear of a panic attack 😥
Learning HOW to Calm yourself from a panic attack or trauma trigger, is probably one of the most beneficial ways of pushing through self limiting fears such as agoraphobia.
Knowing that Wherever you are or the circumstance, that YOU Can Control the bodily sensations, with deep breathing, grounding, cold water, humming, a whiff of essential oil, or many other techniques, allows the freedom to take the Cure with you.
As you practice, you gain confidence in your own abilities... Losing the fear of the circumstance.
These things are best learned and practiced consistently when not having the attacks so they're ingrained and easier, almost automatic. It's work that's worth it
You are such a blessing Emma. Thank you so much and I hope you're having a good week!
I just realized there's a name for the fear I have... It feels reassuring that it's not stupid but also sad that it's going to be a lot harder to solve than i thought...
I've been experiencing a fear, not agoraphobia, but thought maybe this could help me. I swapped out agoraphobia for my fear and you still described my thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We've never met yet you read me like a book. The answer is to begin collecting good experiences so my brain can learn. This is cathartic. This is from Jesus. Ready or not here I gooooooooo.
I had no idea until now that i had agoraphobia. I hated my kids concerts, driving to the city, getting stuck in traffic, afraid to go to the hairdresser, afraid of walking too far from my car, afraid of flying, going to mass, queueing, afraid of soiling myself. I have been trying for YEARS to fix my anxiety but once i got over one trigger, the trigger would change shortly after and the cycle began again! This is nuts to me😮
you are good. You truly get it thank you
This is gold. It came right in time for me. Thank you, you are so gifted.
The lead climbing example is so lovely and relatable! I'm a climber among other things and have dealt regularly with that fear along with my other anxieties.
I’m so sorry for everyone who deals with this. I feel like I may be heading down this path. As much as I can I want to just stay home. I’m terrified of not having certain medication when I’m out. So now I bring every single medication with me “just in case”. I’m scared to get vertigo, nausea, anxiety, panic attacks, stomach pain, or just anything. It’s terrifying. I feel ok as long as I bring every medication for every symptom I might feel. It’s horrible.
My anxiety and P.T.S.D is so severe i cant even comprehend these videos untill i pop a klonopin. I feel so much shame and humiliation. I go to the gym 2-3 days a week and thats a struggle as well. I also attend therapy. Im sweating as im typing this😂😢. I refuse to give up tho and i know i need to up my dose of klonopin for a while untill i conquer this. I know i cant avoid these emotions, so i remember how i feel and write them down. My plan is to taper off when i can and take the bull by the horns. Wish me luck ❤
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Go get a blood panel done. Check your thyroid. Hashimoto disease or graves can make you totally whacked out. Did for me.
I was never diagnosed with agoraphobia, but I was diagnosed with panic disorder about a decade ago, and…it definitely manifested in a lot of the ways described in this video. If I had been able to afford to see a psychiatrist instead of a GP for my panic disorder, maybe they’d have identified me as having agoraphobia too, and maybe I’d have gotten more specific treatment/therapy. It took me years of work (supported by medication) to get through it and past it. Sometimes I think the pandemic set me back, though.
I do have to say I credit Xanax with helping me teach my brain that I could feel safe going places. There was a time period when I couldn’t have functioned in terms of going to work and having a social life if it weren’t for knowing that I COULD shut down my panic if I needed to. More often than not, I didn’t actually have to take the medication, but sometimes I did, and that was ok too.
I treated walking through my anxiety so my brain could learn like an experiment. For the first time I felt some curiosity with my anxiety. What I found on the other side was quite nice. See brain, so far so good. 😊❤
There is so much more to it than this. Exposure therapy can cause further harm for certain people. Especially some autistic folk. Also it is unsafe being out in public if your an adult and you go into sensory overload and autistic meltdown because majority of people have no awareness or skills to respond in safe, understanding ways to such distress that can be misinterpreted and people like security and the police can be called and great harm can result. So no, these are not unfounded anxieties or reasons for feeling unsafe about leaving the house. Thank you for discussing agoraphobia. As hardly anyone does.
I do worry about this as an autistic person. I'm scared to be out by myself because every single time friends or family have pointed out someone around us who was behaving in an erratic or dangerous way, or someone was following us, etc, it hasn't even been a blip on my radar. I just don't pick up on stuff like that. I'm not really scared of being in public, I'm just so naturally overwhelmed by the sensory information I'm getting that I don't notice nearly anything that I need to to keep myself safe. And unfortunately, we live in rather a scary area. There's a lot of public intoxication, violence, and crime.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you so much Emma, God bless you.
Extremely helpful thank you 🙏🏾 I do exposure therapy on myself to heal from this! I do things that make me scared and talk to myself while in that space and help myself calm down. I have a bunch of tools that I use depending on the situation and what I need in the moment.
Thank you for this video. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in my early 20s, after a couple years it kinda went away but recently came back (with agoraphobia this time). My two pitfalls are thinking I can outsmart it, like if I can rationalize why I shouldn't be afraid then I won't be afraid (doesn't work), and relying on safety behaviors. I've been thinking of this as something that can be overcome with logic, brute force will power, and coping mechanisms. I guess I'm wrong in this, hence why I'm still struggling with it. I wrote notes down through your video and plan to make some changes, thank you for the insight
Thank you Emma, your wonderful... I can identify totally. Its a vicious circle. Mine wasn't panic just fear of my fealings and symptoms. Like fear of fear. Its crazy. I've got through my fear of going to big shops and walking further than my road for 4 months. But I've mastered it with your help and Music! Your safe. Come out of the fear tunnel everyone. Its silly and shouldn't let it get hold of you. Do Exposure therapy bit by bit. It works.... She's right. Have courage and be on Yr guard, see it off folks....
This video is SPOT ON
Did you ever do live TH-cam? Just wanted you to know your videos are very calming to me. You are a calming person. So thankful for you.
I'm so grateful to you and your channel! I've been experiencing agoraphobia for nearly 4 years now and it's gotten a lot better through exposure therapy BUT then I suddenly fall back into old patterns and fears which feels so frustrating! Why does this happen?
I think I’m agoraphobic, I always thought I just had really bad social anxiety, but I realized it’s not even people that scare me.
My agoraphobia started during my development of narcolepsy symptoms-I was no longer in complete control of my body. The nail in the coffin was Covid and dozens of mass shootings in this country every year. I'm agoraphobic because people scare the shit out of me.
Same...
But over here in Europe it's knive attacks/ crimes...
Thank you for this video. 💜 This is helpful.
Your videos have been a huge help. Thank you so much! I was able to go on an 8-hour drive although I didn't drive my dad did and that's a huge deal for me. I kept telling myself I was safe or just something I remember you saying and I could do this and I've done hard things before and this isn't that hard.
I have agoraphobia. I really appreciate this video ❤ thank you so very much 🙏
Oh my gosh, this was exactly what happened to me a few years ago. I never understood what was happening to me. Great video🇦🇺
Some people's agoraphobia is reality-based though. For example, people from minority groups for whom it ISN'T safe outside. Some have been repeatedly traumatised over years by being attacked or bullied. They might have been actually harmed. Is this just not agoraphobia though?
I'd love it if you were to address this in a video.
I can go places in a calmer state when it rains or during the night time. If it’s super bright and sunny days my anxiety peaks. I’ve tried so many meds and they made my situation worse. I wish I could fix this in 37 and had this since I was 17 years old. Life hasn’t been too nice to me. 😊
It started for me after several years of traumatic events. I stopped going to grocery stores, crowded places and stopped going out at night. Eventually i stopped going outside and only went out when i needed my medication refill. I didn't realize that it got bad when a family member addressed it a year later bc she noticed i wouldnt even go take the trasg out back and let my bro take on that task.
Now, if i do go out, im usually not alone & with someone due to my frequent meltdowns in public.
It took me this past year to mentally prepare to travel internationally with my fam for 3 weeks this past month. It took a HUGE toll on me forsue 😂
Its absolutely insane just how bad it can get if you let it. One day i overslept on the weekend and my routine was always the store on sunday for groceries at like 9am before it gets too packed out of convenience, not really out of fear. Something got re planted and started to slowly affect other areas, i could push through but not confidently at all. I called the crisis line to dump everything out so i can get to the store and my car was dead because i havent driven in a week. I waved and stopped a neighbor to help me jump the battery and didnt have cables. I didnt want to knock on someones door, so i called a cab to help jump me. I had no idea that would happen but as soon as it did i had to just deal with it, the only hard part was walking out the front door
I became agoraphobic at age 13 when I began having regular panic attacks. It was 100% the fear of humiliation from losing control in public. I actually avoided flying for years because I pictured myself running up and down the aisles screaming and trying to get out of the plane! 😂 but also 😢 Thank god I got better in my 20s.
Did you get on a plane? I haven't flown in 15 years I'm so worried I'll freak out...
@@GabbyDabs I took a short flight at 16 - NYC to Greensboro, NC both ways for a wedding. I got through a 2 hour flight ok. But by that time I had cut sugar out of my diet and exercised 1 hour daily, and that made a HUGE difference in my anxiety!
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
In this world I can wear my mask. It can hide my embarrassment when I’m overwhelmed with anxiety. I can persevere with most everything.
Thank Just shaed this with my parents you explain things very well.
I've been diagnosed with it after 15 years suffering. But I genuinely DO vomit in social situations, had sudden diarrhoea in social situations, had LOADS of panic attacks in public places. But I'm not entirely housebound there's TWO shops I feel reasonably safe in, a little anxious and avoid them at busiest times and use self check out but I can just about manage them. I can do countryside walks but only because if my dogs but I go to the quietest unknown places and if a group of walkers happened to be nearby I'll hide or take a different path.
I feel I can't have more than one stranger in my home like for repairs etc. I feel safest in my car and my private gated garden but high anxiety on motorways so I don't do motorways. I'm also bipolar with photophobia, phonophobia, migraines, ME, fibromyalgia, CF, arthritis and severe travel sickness, general dizzy spells and always get a travelling feeling. Only time I'm okay travelling is when I'm driving.
I also wish there was more research on hormonal causation. There are times in people's lives; puberty, post-pregnancy and peri-menopause, when the imbalance of hormones can kickstart an anxiety disorder or depression when there's previously been no instance of it. And no matter how much you try to expose and 'float through' the oft times horrific anxiety and panic, when there's a PHYSIOLOGICAL cause it can feel like you're hitting a brick wall.
Great video…..very very helpful❤
when i was 16 i was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia, and then when i was 24, i was further diagnosed with agoraphobia. going outside doesn't bother me, it's being around people i don't know.
i was in a orientation for a job when i was 24, there was a lot of people in this room, and the employer went around the room from person to person, asking what do you think your best quality is. and eventually he got to me, and i kinda locked up, i couldn't think of anything, i can't even remember what i said, but the whole time i was sitting there, i could feel everyone looking at me, it was so intense. that it not only felt like they were looking at me, but literally looking right through me.
i could feel their eyes burning a hole right through me. i stuck it out until the break which was after he got to the last person about another 15 minutes, and i just couldn't do it.
Hello, thank you for your words of wisdom. They make total sense with a normal brain way of thinking and rationalising. Very valuable steps tobwork through. Many blessings a mum in the UK 🇬🇧🙏
I know that there is so much to know about neuroplasticity. In some was characteristic be positive and negative, know what they are. Life or people always seeking out negativity . Controlling anger, learn to say nice things about self, that should be easier if worry more about self, not so much about others
This video came at the right time, thank you ❤❤❤
Thanks Doc
I have serious issues with the bus. Every work day, I am exposed to my stressor. I can barely get to and from work. It doesn't get better. Unless the bus is empty. I can't do anything else, and I just say home.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you.
Outstanding. God bless you
Brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank You 😊❤️🙏
I get those panic thoughts, and start to panic i would love to know how to reprogram the thoughts
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I’ve had agoraphobia for over a decade. It used to be only really in cars/public transport. Especially if there’s traffic and I feel stuck. It proceeded to things like hairdressers too. I actually got over it for years but then got stuck in traffic needing the toilet for like 2 hours and it came back. Limits me to what I do. Anywhere my wife wants to go my question is always “how far away is it?” If it’s over 20 minutes drive that’s panic attack territory.
Now it’s proceeded to often all day long anxiety due to health anxiety. Having both is brutal because the acrophobia is worse because now I’m worried about my health when I’m outside stuck somewhere. I also quit nicotine whilst having a mental breakdown after having a serious allergic reaction which hospitalised me and I nearly died. Now I have GERDS. It’s been an awful few months. Main issue is being scared of panicking like is said in this video. Im not even a fearful person at all. Pure agoraphobia was manageable although not good at all. Now every day is a nightmare. Trying to improve and don’t want to rely on medication. I’m 100% clean from anything right now and want to push through like that rather than masking it or relying on it which will bring it back eventually.
I have BIND. 3 years now. This is the last hill I have to climb until I'm finally free. And its a big one, but here we go 😊
Past trauma can add to more fear and can exhibit as agoraphobia. I had agoraphobia 40 years ago for 7 years and I have it now, second time around
Thank you for this video.
Thank you! it was really helpfull!
I find that anxious wrecks like me have all of these fears because we think too much about everything and in my case think too deep about life and try to figure everything out. My agoraphobia is less now due to throwing myself into what I fear more and more until it gets easier and easier. What everyone needs to make their brain realise is all the things we fear about going out and being in public etc all the things we catastrophize about never come true except in our heads and how it makes us feel.
I think the news doesnt help because always reporting someone being stabbed and all this craziness happens in public and makes us just want to be safe and stay in smh. Thats what fear in our mind is our survival brain "protecting" us but really its destroying us.
We deserve to enjoy being out like everyone else. Thats what we need to train our brains to realise what is true. Start with baby steps and keep going into the uncomfortable zone then take it a step further.
Very helpful ❤
Thank you for this video❤
Thank you so much😢😢😢
Knowledge is power. You are the best ❤
My agoraphobia started as generalized anxiety from being laughed at in middle school and high school. That led to social anxiety. That led to panic disorder. That led to agoraphobia.
The only medication that worked were benzos and I became addicted. Without benzos it's all of those symptoms X10.
About 3 or 4 years of being terrified to go 1/4 of a mile down the road to the gas station for cigarettes. I finally had enough.
I got off the benzos and for some CBT seems to work but it did not help me because I am a stubborn person mentally
The only thing that seems to work for me and I hope it stays that way is to go through the terror. Expose yourself so much that it becomes more of your life than being at home. Make it a point to spend most of the day outside at the store, driving or whatever it is.
Desensitizing is the scariest but quickest and most efficient cure.
It is not for everybody. You have to be very, very self-aware of how you're thinking and feeling.
But if you are one of those that think you can face the fears and push through like a warrior, I recommend it.
I still struggle daily but I went from being stuck in my bedroom to a workaholic.
(Still have tremendous social anxiety and generalized but getting out of the house and being around people is a start.)
There is a saying some use that says when things seem hard try to make it harder. Only then you will grow.
And I have found these words to be very true
God bless. I pray God will surround those with nothing but his peace and love for those suffering from this terrible rewiring of the brain
💚
i’m not sure if it’s agoraphobia, or ptsd, but last year we went to a state fair and someone started shooting right behind us and it’s been hard to go to the stores since
This is all true.
I've been agoraphobic since I was a teenager, and I got prescribed antidepressants a few years after having started experiencing panic attacks and agoraphobia - and I would actually not recommend anyone using antidepressants for agoraphobia. It might help in the beginning but our bodies get used to the medication after some time, and the "good effect" from the antidepressants wear off - because that's what our brain does. After some time on antidepressants I still had agoraphobia + the problems with trying to come off antidepressants. I've been on antidepressants for 15 years now, and I wish I had gotten therapy from the start to deal with the fear of having anxiety. Antidepressants are basically avoidance in a pill + all the potential side-effects, and withdrawal symptoms when you no longer want to use it.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
At the start of the video, it gave me alot of anxiety , but at the ending , it went down alot
The hardest thing is comorbidity. I have agoraphobia as a result of emetophobia because my biggest fear is throwing up in public while I'm far away from my refuge (my home). Even queuing at the supermarket checkout is awful, because I feel trapped and I think "What if I start feeling sick?". I do exposure therapy, it's long and exhausting, but I cannot accept that vomit is possible. I mean, if I'd allow all my anxiety to happen, something bad could happen, I could throw up because nausea is a normal response to anxiety. So I'd prove to myself that what I do is dangerous or that's what I perceive. That's why I never feel safe. Does anyone feel the same way that I do?
I am almost 7 years into this current status, the fourth time in my life that I have had what we used to call a nervous breakdown. One thing that may help you that works for me, especially when I get terrified which brings on that feeling like I am going to just pass out, is to try to notice something about the person in front or behind me in the line and speak to them--maybe they have a nice shirt or pretty hair, it doesn't have to be something big. No one has ever been mean to me or refused to engage in a conversation while we are waiting our turn. I have met some really neat people I would have never met otherwise, and while we are talking, most of my fear dissipates. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their life stories, and so while they are talking and I am listening, I can relax. I do know what you mean about having the feared event happening and it reinforcing the fear. I have had some brutal panic attacks in the grocery store, and kept going, sobbing. It is a struggle, and I have sometimes had to run to the bathroom in the store (the feared attack of diarrhea in the store and will I make it to the toilet) but just going to the store is a triumph for both of us. And I know what you mean by never feeling safe. My therapist has helped me dig into my past and we have discovered where some of my fears come from, events in my childhood that were terrifying and my parents scolding me for crying. That knowledge helps too, to know why you are frightened and to know that you aren't imagining that you are in fear! Knowledge is power, and I hate it when people ask me what I am afraid of and all I can say is "I don't know, I am just afraid." I send healing wishes to you and hope that one day we will both be free of these fears.
@@shirleykaye4344 thank you Shirley, you wrote the kindest message I've ever received. Thank you for the suggestion of noticing and speaking to the people in the line. I'll try to put it into practice. I had some horrible panick/anxiety attacks while going for a walk with a terrible nausea even recently, the day after I always go for another walk because I don't want the phobia to prevail, but sometimes the panick attack is so discouraging. You think you're doing great, making progress, but all of sudden you have the panick attack and it seems that you lose all the progress you made.
I also have events in my childhood that caused the phobia and my parents mocking me, they never reassured me while I was terrified. It's not easy to forgive. Maybe that's why I would feel really embarassed If felt sick in public. I send the same wishes to you, hoping our fears will be just a bad memory soon.