Agoraphobia
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September 1, 2011 - 11:13 am
I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia, along with Bipolar type 2. I was just curious what other people do to help treat/cope with their agoraphobia. I have found nothing that helps with my agoraphobia, but Xanax, which my doctor has that med down as a PRN, or a medication you take as needed, not daily. I dont want to be addicted and take Xanax every day, Im looking for a more therapy-based approach. Any input, ideas, or experiences are welcome!
Medications for August 2, 2011 to September 1, 2011
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I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Agoraphobia, along with Bipolar type 2. I was just curious what other people do to help treat/cope with their agoraphobia. I have found nothing that helps with my agoraphobia, but Xanax, which my doctor has that med down as a PRN, or a medication you take as needed, not daily. I dont want to be addicted and take Xanax every day, Im looking for a more therapy-based approach. Any input, ideas, or experiences are welcome!
Medications for August 2, 2011 to September 1, 2011
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September 2, 2011 - 6:26 am
Total Posts: 371
Joined: 05-08-2010
Joined: 05-08-2010
How are your hypomanias's with the strong anxiety and agoraphobia?
I don't have agoraphobia per se but I do get to where I can't leave the house sometimes due to paranoia or anxiety of every little step involved in leaving. I try to use logic and break it down into small steps. Doesn't always work.
I don't have agoraphobia per se but I do get to where I can't leave the house sometimes due to paranoia or anxiety of every little step involved in leaving. I try to use logic and break it down into small steps. Doesn't always work.
How are your hypomanias's with the strong anxiety and agoraphobia?
I don't have agoraphobia per se but I do get to where I can't leave the house sometimes due to paranoia or anxiety of every little step involved in leaving. I try to use logic and break it down into small steps. Doesn't always work.
I don't have agoraphobia per se but I do get to where I can't leave the house sometimes due to paranoia or anxiety of every little step involved in leaving. I try to use logic and break it down into small steps. Doesn't always work.
September 3, 2011 - 6:53 pm
Total Posts: 62
Joined: 05-29-2011
Joined: 05-29-2011
Hi,
I'm on Zoloft and Xanax (for depression, panic disorder, GAD & agoraphobia).
As yet, I'm undiagnosed BP2, going to see my psych in 2 weeks, I've been charting for 3 months now, so hopefully that will show him my mood swings.
Anyway, I think CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is what works best for agoraphobia, because it's the thought patterns which bring on panic/anxiety which then leads to agoraphobic behavior.
Xanax helps me get out of the house, but its' what I'm thinking in my head that keeps me out. You have to learn not to fear the feelings.
Meditation helps keep the anxiety down (relaxation, stomach breathing etc) as well as exercise (gets rid of excess adrenaline) and a good diet.
Medications for August 4, 2011 to September 3, 2011
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
Hi,
I'm on Zoloft and Xanax (for depression, panic disorder, GAD & agoraphobia).
As yet, I'm undiagnosed BP2, going to see my psych in 2 weeks, I've been charting for 3 months now, so hopefully that will show him my mood swings.
Anyway, I think CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is what works best for agoraphobia, because it's the thought patterns which bring on panic/anxiety which then leads to agoraphobic behavior.
Xanax helps me get out of the house, but its' what I'm thinking in my head that keeps me out. You have to learn not to fear the feelings.
Meditation helps keep the anxiety down (relaxation, stomach breathing etc) as well as exercise (gets rid of excess adrenaline) and a good diet.
Medications for August 4, 2011 to September 3, 2011
|
|
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
September 29, 2011 - 9:10 pm
Total Posts: 1
Joined: 09-29-2011
Joined: 09-29-2011
Hello,
I suffered with agoraphobia for two years. It just began one day and became my nightmare. My world began to get smaller and smaller. I thought I was either losing my mind or going to have a heart attack. When I finally did see an MD he knew immediately it was agoraphobia. Then he said, "I could give you meds for this but it would probably give you more problems than it would help you." With that he sent me on my way without really giving me a choice.
Well, I was young. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I was in a fight for my life. I decided that since it mostly happened with I was out and about, and that my fear for going to public places was growing, So I prescribed myself to going to a restaurant once a week to have a drink, or dinner by myself. I would sit there and self talk that I was a people watcher. I struggled at first, sometimes having to go out to my car and almost pass out from fear before I would be able to compose myself enough to drive myself home, But I would not give up. I kept it up. Soon my goal became to make eye contact with at least one person and remind myself that I can judge them as much as I can be judged. For some reason this thought made me feel empowered.
I moved from there to making it a point to practice the same thing wherever I experienced a panic attack. I would continue to force myself there to experience it until I felt less fear. Every time I stuck out the panic, and nothing more than the panic itself was the worst thing that would happen proved to me that beating the panic was all I really needed to do. The world was not coming to an end, I was not having a heart attack. I am not saying by any stretch that any of this was easy.
But well, this worked for me. And with this constant effort I slowly began to gain control over my life again. One day, just a suddenly as my life had been turned upside down by agoraphobia, I was able to reflectively perceive that I hadn't experienced a panic attack for ....now it has been years,
Well, that is my true story. It was done without medication.
I hope this helps.
I suffered with agoraphobia for two years. It just began one day and became my nightmare. My world began to get smaller and smaller. I thought I was either losing my mind or going to have a heart attack. When I finally did see an MD he knew immediately it was agoraphobia. Then he said, "I could give you meds for this but it would probably give you more problems than it would help you." With that he sent me on my way without really giving me a choice.
Well, I was young. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I was in a fight for my life. I decided that since it mostly happened with I was out and about, and that my fear for going to public places was growing, So I prescribed myself to going to a restaurant once a week to have a drink, or dinner by myself. I would sit there and self talk that I was a people watcher. I struggled at first, sometimes having to go out to my car and almost pass out from fear before I would be able to compose myself enough to drive myself home, But I would not give up. I kept it up. Soon my goal became to make eye contact with at least one person and remind myself that I can judge them as much as I can be judged. For some reason this thought made me feel empowered.
I moved from there to making it a point to practice the same thing wherever I experienced a panic attack. I would continue to force myself there to experience it until I felt less fear. Every time I stuck out the panic, and nothing more than the panic itself was the worst thing that would happen proved to me that beating the panic was all I really needed to do. The world was not coming to an end, I was not having a heart attack. I am not saying by any stretch that any of this was easy.
But well, this worked for me. And with this constant effort I slowly began to gain control over my life again. One day, just a suddenly as my life had been turned upside down by agoraphobia, I was able to reflectively perceive that I hadn't experienced a panic attack for ....now it has been years,
Well, that is my true story. It was done without medication.
I hope this helps.
Hello,
I suffered with agoraphobia for two years. It just began one day and became my nightmare. My world began to get smaller and smaller. I thought I was either losing my mind or going to have a heart attack. When I finally did see an MD he knew immediately it was agoraphobia. Then he said, "I could give you meds for this but it would probably give you more problems than it would help you." With that he sent me on my way without really giving me a choice.
Well, I was young. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I was in a fight for my life. I decided that since it mostly happened with I was out and about, and that my fear for going to public places was growing, So I prescribed myself to going to a restaurant once a week to have a drink, or dinner by myself. I would sit there and self talk that I was a people watcher. I struggled at first, sometimes having to go out to my car and almost pass out from fear before I would be able to compose myself enough to drive myself home, But I would not give up. I kept it up. Soon my goal became to make eye contact with at least one person and remind myself that I can judge them as much as I can be judged. For some reason this thought made me feel empowered.
I moved from there to making it a point to practice the same thing wherever I experienced a panic attack. I would continue to force myself there to experience it until I felt less fear. Every time I stuck out the panic, and nothing more than the panic itself was the worst thing that would happen proved to me that beating the panic was all I really needed to do. The world was not coming to an end, I was not having a heart attack. I am not saying by any stretch that any of this was easy.
But well, this worked for me. And with this constant effort I slowly began to gain control over my life again. One day, just a suddenly as my life had been turned upside down by agoraphobia, I was able to reflectively perceive that I hadn't experienced a panic attack for ....now it has been years,
Well, that is my true story. It was done without medication.
I hope this helps.
I suffered with agoraphobia for two years. It just began one day and became my nightmare. My world began to get smaller and smaller. I thought I was either losing my mind or going to have a heart attack. When I finally did see an MD he knew immediately it was agoraphobia. Then he said, "I could give you meds for this but it would probably give you more problems than it would help you." With that he sent me on my way without really giving me a choice.
Well, I was young. I didn't know what to do, but I knew I was in a fight for my life. I decided that since it mostly happened with I was out and about, and that my fear for going to public places was growing, So I prescribed myself to going to a restaurant once a week to have a drink, or dinner by myself. I would sit there and self talk that I was a people watcher. I struggled at first, sometimes having to go out to my car and almost pass out from fear before I would be able to compose myself enough to drive myself home, But I would not give up. I kept it up. Soon my goal became to make eye contact with at least one person and remind myself that I can judge them as much as I can be judged. For some reason this thought made me feel empowered.
I moved from there to making it a point to practice the same thing wherever I experienced a panic attack. I would continue to force myself there to experience it until I felt less fear. Every time I stuck out the panic, and nothing more than the panic itself was the worst thing that would happen proved to me that beating the panic was all I really needed to do. The world was not coming to an end, I was not having a heart attack. I am not saying by any stretch that any of this was easy.
But well, this worked for me. And with this constant effort I slowly began to gain control over my life again. One day, just a suddenly as my life had been turned upside down by agoraphobia, I was able to reflectively perceive that I hadn't experienced a panic attack for ....now it has been years,
Well, that is my true story. It was done without medication.
I hope this helps.
Joined: 04-05-2011