Have you got agoraphobia or panic disorder, like me?

i hate myself at times well the majority of the time anyway. I feel like a freak but i am too much of a coward to do something about it. i have agoraphobia and panic disorder. its a fear of open spaces and i cant go out anywhere because having been this way since i was 9 years old, i am basically housebound. i have to rely on others for everything although i have been to the doctor so many times with the help of friends and friends transport and practically being carried into surgery or use the wheelchair. i feel selfish and worthless. i dont like to be this way but the fear has eaten away at my life and its easy for people to say get over it but its not easy to do it. i have no motivation to do anything about it perhaps because i am lost and unsure what to do and please dont say or suggest that i have counselling or go on antidepressents because i have had years of this, it didnt help at all and i know theres no magic pill but i just want to find out how others like me cope! thanks x

Hi hun! I have agoraphobia to and panic attacks and anxiety and social phobia to and the fear of small closed in areas and especiallly the fear of people. I feel the same way to, I hate myself for being a coward, but I have a fear of people because I was sexually abuse. Were you? Or do you block these memories? Something has had to make you this way. No there is no magic pill, but I am on antidepressents and I do go to counseling, But this helps me, I'm sorry it hasn't helped you. The only thing I do is hang around close family members and close friends which are only a few. I think you are feeling this way because you want to be self confident and independent like other feel. Try not to feel you are being selfish, if your only being yourself and not viciously being selfish then you probably are not being that way. I know how you feel when you say you feel worthless, I feel the same way to, I guess because I am not able to do the things a health person can do and i don't like being sick but I am and I'm working on getting better, but it takes time, we don't know how much time it will take because with me the sexual abuse was severe and very extensive. I try to do things that I enjoy, like I love reading and coloring, I enjoy crossword puzzles and I try to keep my house clean and myself keep nice. I like to write so I write my family and friends and send them cards, as long as I don't have to deal with them in person it is easier for me. Tell yourself everyday that you are pretty, you are honest, you know how to love other, you are in control of a lot of things in your life, you are helpful when you can be anything to boost your self confidence. I hope I helped! Take care! don't beat yourself up so much you are a loving human being that deserves to feel good about yourself no matter how you are, everyone is different, Thank God! Hugs! Von

Yoga

I can only say keep trying. I developed panic attacks and PTSD from some of the stuff that happened to me at work. I tired lots of things and nothing worked. I finally found a combination of cognitive therapy and SSRI's that helped control things so I can function very well.
Good Luck

Yes, I have panic disorder. Unlike you, I have found solace with anti-depressants. They have helped me get out of the house and to hold a semi-normal life. Also, the antidepressants have made my moods much more mellow. When a person treats me poorly, I no longer lash out, I simply laugh it off.

Do not hate yourself over something that you cannot control. Your brain is wired in a different way, it does not mean that you must hate yourself. Be happy that you have friends and family that you can rely on and treat you so well.

My suggesstion is to force yourself out. Take small steps, plant a little garden (or just one outdoor plant) Find one thing you enjoy and go do it. I know many suffereing from agoraphobia find work with animials theraputic. Try that.

start small, go out to your garden, stand on the doorstep, this can be scary at first as well but persevere, do it with friends or family with you at first then try on your own, if you dont have the motivation think about all the things your missing out on, watch videos of your family playing in the park, see how happy they are, don't you want to be happy like that too?

1.What are the EXACT things that scare you?
2.You have to go back and find out WHY your scared of it answer those lost questions.
3.Little by little FACE it CONQUER your fear.
4.Only YOU can do it.

I read a phobia book I had phobia studies and I even have a list of phobias form A to Z! They interest me. I have electrophobia. I was plugging in a couple old cables and got the shock of my life
I could feel going up my hand but couldn't stop it. I'm terrified of cables pools with plugged in filters etc.

I am sorry to hear that fear has eaten away at so much of your life - how old are you now?

I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety when I was 18, but looking back had had some times of panic before that.....and some very difficult times since (not helped by an unhappy marriage - do you live alone, or if not, are your family supportive??).

I can truly say it is only coming to know the grace and love of God through Jesus that has proven of real help to me, and without this I don't think I would even be here now. My anxiety has not taken quite the same form as yours, but I can get panicky and shaky in social situations, although at the same time I want to be with people, and like you have "beaten myself up" for not being able to face the things I fear every time!

If you could be a bit easier on yourself, I am sure that would help. There is no such thing as a worthless human being!! As someone else has suggested, you could try taking small steps at a time, and REWARD yourself after you achieve this, Don't be hard on yourself if you "fail" though!

The tablets that have been helpful for me (though may not be right for you) are Propranolol (Beta blockers) on a very low dose, which do take the edge of symptoms like heart thumping and shaky hands, which in turn I found made me feel braver to face the world, and even sing and play the piano up front in church!

Blessings and peace to you - persevere, don't be too hard on yourself!!