Agoraphobia isn't just a fear of the outdoors
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- Опубликовано: 10 дек 2018
- Agoraphobia is not so much a fear of outdoors as it is a fear of panic itself. Katie's coping mechanism is in her 'safe space' which includes a rose from Bill Murray himself 🌹🙏🌹
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I don’t fear the outdoors, I love being outdoors. I fear the PEOPLE who are outside. Being alone camping is one of the greatest self treatments for agoraphobia I’ve tried. As long as I’m not near people.
I feel the same way! If I can find spot where no one bothers me in nature then that's where you'll find me
Young lady I have to disagree with you because their are different types of agoraphobia.
As for mine I was a prisoner of my own mind locked up in my bedroom for 7 months as my wife babysat me having to hold my hand and run to the bathroom and back. I could not imagine myself going to the living room for 5 seconds much less being in a tent by myself.
Good luck to you sweet heart
@@jeffsmith6187 that must have been hell. Almost sounds like psychosis. I get paranoia regularly and I struggle to take the garbage out. Should be simple. Not so . I feel all eyes on me when I’m outside. I wonder. How long can I live like this. It started at 11. Hope you are doing better. Regards from 🇨🇦
I’ve always wanted to try this. Hiking and camping alone
exactly
I wish people understood how bad panic attacks could get :(
They don't have it and they always ask "what are you scared of?"
@@Rebeccasweet100 i wish this was true but it isnt
My whole body goes into shock these days, I miss the panic attacks of yesteryear... They've become increasingly unusual and debilitating, its something that's hard to explain to people that it feels like I'm going into a cardiac arrest lmao.
If Doctors and Shrinks had what we have they’d find a cure in no time. They say they understand but they don’t, only we can understand.
Katie’s agoraphobia: I’m going to die, everyone is going to die
My agoraphobia: someone’s gonna talk to me and I’m gonna sound weird, someone’s gonna look at me and I’m gonna look weird
I'm just scared that I will see someone I know .
Me too
Ness. Katie's is the normal agoraphobia.
Sounds like you may have an overlap of SAD and Agoraphobia
until now I am just a psychology student, so this is not (yet) a fully professional answer, but as far as I know, there are different categories of Agoraphobia. For some, it's the fear of having a panic attack outside and being not able to get help or flee. In this case, Panic Disorder is often the underlying reason, agoraphobic tendencies developed thereafter. If there is just the fear of behaving awkwardly, putting oneself in an embarrassing situation but without panic attacks, this is considered the "isolated" type of Agoraphobia, without an underlying Panic Disorder.
I actually lost all of my friends because of my agoraphobia and other disabilities. No one bothered with me anymore when I became housebound and eventually they all stopped talking to me all together one by one. Now I've spent the last 9 years completely alone. It's an absolutely horrendous existence and people actually believe it's just being lazy or whatever.
I have the same existence and I can't wait until its over.
sounds like me. been agoraphobic for 7 years now but fully housebound since covid. haven’t spoken to my extended family since lockdown. no one has bothered to contact me anyways
That is sad
So relatable. I truly believe I have a variation of this. I go to work, I go to the grocery store, I take my son places like the doctor, occasionally to science center or a learning activity. But I DO NOT LIKE going new places. I don’t like going to closed places. We had a meeting for work with all 3 daycare centers in a small enclosed room and I was freaking out. Left to go to my car, cried for a moment. Hated the entire experience.
How do you afford stuff if you can’t work
I hate that I have this. It's so tiring and its damaging me physically and mentally.
I want to live my life but I cant.
It's so hard tho I'm trying. Seeing that there are other people who experience the same thing makes me feel better as I feel that I am not alone in this.
knowing that theres a spiritual world is calming because you just belive and it happens just like the purpose of consciousness or of you being aware
Same here xx 🇦🇺🇦🇺
I have it too and it helps knowing other people have it too
Same here - I feel so alone with this. I’ve spent the last 13 years trying to overcome ptsd and agoraphobia and am doing better overall but the panic attacks I still have happen out of no where and in places like grocery stores. It’s a physical reaction I can’t control. Mentally I will feel fine, but once I’m in the situation my body has this physical response of pure panic. I can’t focus - my mind goes blank and wants to get out of there as fast as possible to the point where I may not accomplish what I needed to, I can’t breathe, I can’t make eye contact, I become clumsy and trip or drop things. And I always seem to make the people around me weirded out - It’s terrible. I try to avoid situations that cause this as much as possible. I don’t want to see a doctor or take medication but I really feel just hopeless. What if this never goes away…
Knowing that other people have this doesn't make me feel better at all I would rather see people recovering from it than seeing more suffer with no solution or proper treatment. I have had it for years and I have never see anyone who truly recovered from it.
I have agoraphobia. For me, going to the grocery store is the worst.
It's weird because I do love going outside, nature but my anxiety is a bit different than most people with this. For me it's just so uncomfortable to go outside, not quite severe as this.
When I'm with someone though, it's a lot easier to go places because I have a buddy to keep me safe. If you suffer from agoraphobia, it's really helpful to have a friend or family member accompany you.
I'm the exact same, grocery stores are the worst, it's Soo busy and we often have to mingle with people, cashier, other shoppers, etc (I can only do it super early or super late) when it's practically empty, and i prefer smaller stores, less people & stuff going on to heighten my social anxiety, you're right about being accompanied, if my mom, close girl friends or boyfriend is with me it's alot easier to deal with 👍
We're also the same, I can tolerate going outside when I'm with my closest friend or fam, I'm very dependent of them and I also feel safe whenever they're around.
Same as me, I am a qualified horticulturalist, I love nature. But I'm so scared of leaving the house. It's crippling.
I can relate. I usually feel safe when I'm going out with people I'm close to like my family and close friends but when it comes to going out alone it makes me really nervous which makes me avoid going out alone at all.
I've been living like this for almost as long as I can remember but it feels impossible to continue like this as I'm approaching my adulthood . I really want to get rid of Agoraphobia and feel independent but it's not easy
Big buildings and The interstate for me
I'm in bed right now surrounded by vintage toys I had as a kid. It's safe, I'm in control and there are no people. I have agoraphobia, social anxiety, depression. I don't even go in the garden. I relate so much . What about bob..... is one of my favourite films with Bill Murray.
Omg, thanks for recommending that going to look it up now for nostalgia purposes, i loved it when i was younger and want to refresh my memory, I struggle with all 3 as well 🙏💔😢 hopefully it gets easier with time.
I think I had a lot of crazy toxic people growing up, and now I distrust everyone
I can't help but think everyone is watching judging me, and it's so depressing that I can't get my brain around it 🥺
Wow you put how I feel into words.
My agrophobia feels like this: it feels like i learned how to swim, but i can only swim for about 10/15minutes.. at that point i have to turn around and go back. If i don't or if i would go further, it would mean i would literally feels like im drowning swimming on an open sea.. it's terrifying only thinking about it! For me it's also about what she said, when i have a panic attack i need a very safe and closed off space for myself where i can calm myself down again and where i feel safe. Outside such places are hard or almost impossible to find as there is a possibility of people being everywhere around you!
I'm getting to the point of not having left the house at all for 2 and a half years. My physical and mental health are awful because of it. And I feel so lonely and depressed. My parents make me feel so guilty about it. And think I'm lazy, or just don't try hard enough to leave the house. They don't understand when I say I'm literally terrified of the idea. I wish I had someone for support, who knew what I was going through, or who at least tried to understand or sympathise. But videos like this at least make me feel a bit less alone
I empathise completely. I'm in my 50s and haven't left my home since 2019 for the same reason. I find that people often don't understand because most phobias are difficult to understand unless you share them. As you say, they think it's just down to having good will power, but it's not. To help people understand how I feel, I ask them to imagine something that would be so scary that the thought of doing it would make them panic and freeze with fear (for example, doing a bungee jump from a high cliff). And then I explain that this is how going outside makes me feel. On the bright side it can be overcome, but we need to stay strong and believe it. 😉👍
How old are you
I get it. It's hard to explain but (for me anyway) everything is too big when I'm outside, and I panic. I prefer small indoor places. I seem to be reasonably okay if its night though. Not totally but its easier for some reason.
wait same
Same
Me too ruclips.net/video/4D7-LcVAWzg/видео.html
It’s easier for me at night too! I feel like it’s because I’m not as easily overstimulated by having to see the details of everything outside since it’s darker out
me too!
I feel like two people with agoraphobia would be inseparable friends or lovers😭💕
You would think so, but one of you has to be to be able to go out. Pick up prescriptions, just run errands in general. Thank God for Walmart + and Doordash. There was a blessing in disguise for me during Covid. I could do so many things remotely. I have cancer, so I have a ton of Dr's appointments, but most of them could be done by phone which is great. It forced me out which I know is supposed to be good I know, but it's just so exhausting. I worry about it all day and the night before so I don't sleep, my muscles are very tense which is very painful. I have extremely painful jaw pain from clenching it from the panic. So I have 3 ruined days from a 1 hour appointment. It's horrible. I look forward to the cancer killing me.
@@ginachiaverini I’m so sorry to hear you’re struggling :( don’t say that! You can beat it, you’ve already proven how strong you are. Don’t give up💕
I got to be the agoraphobic partner who left the house and because I had to go alone, when I had panic attacks at the grocery store it was extra punishing to come home and my partner was bothered by my panicked state
@ashleyjohnson5015 Thank you so much! The leukemia I have is incurable, though. I'm fine with it. I had a good run.
I’m agoraphobic. I have to force myself to leave my house. I have people to take care of. I’ve been suicidal because of agoraphobia and severe anxiety since I was 11. When I get back home after running my errands etc, I feel accomplished or stressed. I shouldn’t feel that way. I should feel unaffected either way. I wonder how long I can live like this. I’m on medication for anxiety but I still fear leaving the house. I have PTSD from rape and abandonment. I’m trying each day to appear like nothing bothers me. I’m tired. Thanks for your video. Much appreciated knowing there are other people trapped in their minds/homes
🙏💔 I'm so sorry 😔 that happened to you, you've got this, hopefully with time it will become easier to deal with.
I hear you. A lot of my triggers are similar. I hope you're doing okay today
@@coyoteroams thank you for enquiring xx
@@kallmekiki Thankyou xx
@@AP-nx6xo no problem, i deal with this as well so i completely get it 🙏 all the best!!
For me, it's going outside and seeing how well put together everyone else is, perfect hair,skin,clothes, accessories. I never feel like that. And I also feel like everyone is judging me on how I look.
Me too
I haven't left the house for probably about 8 months now, because the thought of leaving makes me so panicked I want to throw up. I'm beginning to think I might have this issue.
If you have symptoms for longer than 6 months that's a criteria you need to hit to be diagnosed...so yeah, if it's lasted that long you might have it.
i tell myself "nobody cares what im doing" it helps sometimes and having my dog
This is my life too. I need to be her friend!
Christine Kaus same 🥺
Same :(
Chris Downes wanna all be friends 😂❓
pin child me too 💔
Hey it's Charlotte yes omg! Friendship!
I felt so identified with her because I also have created my safe space to keep me surrounded by the things I love (anime, kpop, my little pony). this last couple of weeks my agoraphobia got worse and worse and now it's my third time canceling a doctor's appointment and skipping class. It can be really hard, but hearing her story made me feel understood and that I'm not alone♡ and I'm sure we will eventually overcome this situation! :)
I'm 24, and I definitely relate. I know what it's like to be in her shoes. It's a horrible and debilitating thing at times.
Im a 23 year old guy, and also have hard time going outside. I am lucky to live in a countryside, wouldnt survive in a city. But I can never keep a job for longer than few months, I get nauseous in public transport, avoid medical appointments, 90-95% of the time I am alone. I have some friends, but they never invite me anywhere anymore, because there is no way that I could go somewhere without also having a way home within reach and less than an hour of travel. Last relationship I had was 4 years ago, and I am just getting worse and worse. I am less and less willing to fight, It is unfair how everyone around seems to have some life going on, and I cant have fun, cant make nice memories. Thankfully living on the countryside I am going to the forest almost daily, but if I really wanted to go to an event or anything social-related (even when I am with friends) it takes a lot of overcoming the negative thoughts and reassuring myself, that I am not sick, and that I am perfectly healthy to do this. And wow it is very exhausting just to live sometimes. I dont know what to do, I am going to therapy. At least a good step forward. i hope all of us struggling will find life easier finally, and be at peace with ourselves without the constant insecurities and intrusive thoughts, and no more panic attacks.
@liltunturi1251 I totally understand and get everything you said. You're right it is exhausting. I get exhausted myself. I'm about to go to therapy myself. Hope for better days man. 🙏
My agoraphobia is me feeling like there’s a big bright spotlight on me at all times when I go outside and everyone is watching and judging and criticizing me. Even if I know that no one’s there. I also get creeped out at night and worry some one is standing outside of my windows watching me through the blinds. But there’s no one there. There never is. Going out is just so exhausting the only way I get through it is by wearing earphones. Quitting smoking weed has actually helped me. Yes quitting.
I had to quit weed too, it helped for a while but then just made everything even worse when I can’t leave
@@creepydoll2872 That’s good! I really feel better off without it!
I haven't smoked that much in months and I've actually felt a lot better.
Yeah i mean youre kinda of explaining social phobia, not agoraphobia. Or infact its no phobia at all, after all, youre mentioning drugs are involved. Youd never get a diagnosis of anything, with knowledge of drug abuse, because that can cause these problems, rather them being irrational fears.
Headphones help me sooo much when I have to go to the grocery store! Anywhere in public really. Some times I put them in without anything playing. It's like a sense on comfort for me. I also had to give up weed. As I got older it started to make me panic and very paranoid.
this is one of my favorite videos about agoraphobia on youtube. Katie seems super cool and explains the condition very well.
I didn’t realize that I have been struggling with this until recently it dawned on me. I personally struggle with bipolar and a severe panic disorder. I always have been terrified of leaving my home by myself, sometimes even just going on the back porch will have me sweating bullets- my biggest fear is that someone’s just going to pop out and kill me (which doesn’t seem that outlandish to me) but to my family for whatever reason they just don’t understand. I used to really enjoy doing things. I’m a bit of an extrovert. I go through ebbs and flows of this- sometimes I miss a lot of work because just the thought of having to go there terrifies me, I hate not knowing what to expect from the outside world- and this pandemic has made it so much worse. I often feel like no one truly understands how painful it is to live a life like this. I have a family- going to the grocery store, or going into work sometimes takes so much mental strength that I just can’t bring myself to do it, add depression onto it and it’s like I’m a ghost living in the world.
I can relate. Hope you’re feeling better soon! God bless 💜
I feel everything you said so safe to say your definatly not alone, I also feel like my life is wasting away cause instead of living, I’m trying to just get through each day n get it over with, with the least amount of going outside as that’s were people are n I think it’s a lot of fear of the unknown too, that’s why I think I’m scared of the sea or natural/open water, I love going swimming when you can see through the water but otherwise I’m terrified of what’s underneath…just wondering if anyone feels that too? Much love to anyone struggling with agoraphobia too xxxx
I also can’t go in the garden unless I work up to it for days n even then it may not be possible x
The last part is so true I feel like a ghost living in this world. I can't even make up my mind to go to the grocery store that's right in front of my house and people (family, relatives, neighbours, friends, etc) find it funny that I can't do such simple things.
I'm not even going to go into how nervous and anxious public transport makes me that I don't even attempt it.
At school I'm mostly absent but when I'm present I'm just there and I don't take part in most of the activities.
I see all of my classmates having fun visiting different places, going out with friends and there's me just stuck in my house. Its like everyone's growing up and moving forward with their life but only my life is still and not moving forward
its like that feeling when u turn the lights off before bed and have to go upstairs to sleep, u either avoid turning those lights off all together or u go full panic mode and run as fast as u can to the safest place u can think of, ur bedroom
So trie
True*
I can relate to this so much. My college has gone back to face-to-face class and my agoraphobia has been the worst its ever been after being in lockdown for so long. I managed to get on a train stay in class for a few hours and travel back myself which is a big first step.
Glad you made the effort.
Lockdown effected me also.
Lockdown ruined everything for me. Went back into old habits aswell
@@huskylover8167 I read that there is an increase in people taking drugs or drinking.
I haven’t been social for 2 years and i had this the first day I went ti camp and there was a crowd I feel like I couldn’t escape
i have ptsd from getting almost getting kidnapped after sneaking out and i can’t go anywhere without my parents without having a panic attack i can’t even go to the mailbox at the end of the street without freaking out
I almost had the same happen but I have ptsd too from other things.
I have this same thing... Agoraphobia SUCKS!!!
I agree with you.
She's so lucky to have good people around her. I have agoraphobia and have had major panic attacks. I cannot leave my house whatsoever. I have had people tell me horrible things my entire life. I have also had strangers treat me like crap for no reason, like a guy in college knocked me down a flight of stairs and my notes went everywhere and everyone just looked at me and did not help me whatsoever. I don't understand people and how cruel they can be especially if you are shy, kind, and minding your own business
Let's say I went to the market. When I park, my difficulty is getting off the car. This past Saturday I literally sat in my car for 2 hours. Finally the anxious feeling subsided and I went in, got my groceries, and came right out. Drove home and sat in the car for another half hour. Never associated it with having a fear of a panic attack, but just realized all of this today! Being this way for my entire lifetime now makes SO MUCH SENSE. I hope there is help for me. I always said to my friends and family that 'getting there' was half the battle for me. Then once I got there I would often want to leave right away, never knowing WHY... It's not always like this for me but when it happens, it hits hard.
I was like this from about 2007-2011 (with ups and downs). Got over it by stop taking the pill (hormones completely messed my mental health up) and reading a lot of self help books and getting help from a doctor. I didn't go on any medication, but I had a "just incase" pack of diazepam to calm me down. I think I only took the pills about 4 times, mainly just having the pack calmed me because I knew it would help to reduce the panic-y feeling.
The main thing was realising, what will actually happen to me when I have a panic attack. I'll just have a panic attack. That's it. The feeling always passes. It doesn't hurt you at all to have one.
I realised I could handle having one at any time, and slowly over time, I would have less intrusive thoughts, less anxiety, less attacks.
Now I have maybe a very mild panic attack one a year, at most. I can't remember the last time I had one tbh. It's more like an anxiety attack really, and it passes without any big problems. Now I get cabin fever and really hate being at home for more than 3 days in a row!
U make me feel like removing my implant but i dnt wna gt pregnant again i gt a 3 n 5 yr old lol
Don't feel any need to answer me as it is a very personal question , but would u mind sharing what contraception you used as alternative? I am really not in the position to have kids right now, but I've been on birth control since 15, so for 5 years and I think its kinda fucked w me a bit also. 😅 but I have no idea what alternatives there even are other than hormones? I don't think there are actually any options for me? My body didn't respond well to the copper coil so that's a no go for me also. 😕
@@adjjal I went on the copper coil for 5 years, then just condoms and following the family planning method (used an app for periods and had sex on infertile days). So far it worked!
@@jocybum thank you so much for your reply, I will look into this further hopefully I can sort myself out haha
which pill were you having because i m also having a pill and going through same symptoms
The best agoraphobia video I've seen. Thank you for sharing Kate, and I wish everyone reading this a good day with no intrusive thoughts no anxiety and no panic. One day we will beat this, we can and we will. Love from the UK
i was just about to put this in a school presentation about agoraphobia and then she showed the poster of two aliens having sex :I
I can sensor it for u
@@eHuman556 you're so sweet
Hi Katie, thank you so much for sharing. I think you are so brave to share your experiences with agoraphobia because I personally feel like as we get older, people can become more judgemental and even lose interest/feel burdensome of this condition and feel is an excuse to be lazy or not do anything in life.
you describe everything exactly how I get it and it's so hard trying to explain it to people
I explain it like this. I ask the person to imagine the most terrifying situation they could find themselves in (so for example if they are afraid of heights, they will have to clean the outside windows of a skyscraper etc). And then I tell them that's how I feel when I try to leave my home......which is why I won't.
I have a real fear of going out. A lot of really bad things have happened. I only feel safe at home
Same
I seen your video when you first posted it . I need to tell you that you helped me so much . I'm now watching it again because of unbelievable things that are now happening to me . I wish that you would post more . Thanks
Thank you for sharing your story. I am just like you. When I was younger, I had the ability to go out and travel with ease. But as the years went on, my world has gotten smaller and smaller. I feel it is because there was so much emphasis and pressure to be a certain person and live a certain way in order to "deserve" happiness and live a life of fulfillment. Now that I'm 47 years old and realize that there's no turning back the clock, I am going to be starting ECT treatments. Talk therapy, antidepressants, TMS, Esketamine, all have done nothing to ease my anxiety. There are days when I feel suicidal because I just want one moments peace. Hopefully the treatments can lift me out of the overpowering darkness. And also, I wish you the best that life has to offer. Be well.
Thank you for sharing your story Katie! In 6 minutes I wanted to be your friend because you described me so well. I get REALLY embarrassed for people to truly know how much agoraphobia has and does affect me. Watching your video is inspiring me to be braver with talking about my experience! Thank you for saying " I don't like this & would like to be in the world more" Some days I get really sad that I struggle or cancel plans. I want to change and experience more but every day I am trying my best. Sending love to all who experience agoraphobia daily. I see you, I feel you & I am you!
I am kind of like this. Although I travel a lot, whenever I do, anxiety travels with me. It never goes away. It is so annoying.
But I have accepted that restricting yourself a little isn't so bad
Just told by the family "just go outside"
I relate to this so much... I hope she‘s okay
I hate my brain lol
Great examples in the video. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing. I always feel so so alone. I have agoraphobia and PTSD as well. It's very difficult. Thank you so much.
I feel the same....
I have agoraphobia too,I have panic attack when I go outside too its so overwhelming
I hope she is getting better. My bf has this and it makes me so sad we can't go places together.
She seems so cool. I’ve never heard anyone explain it in a way that I relate to so much. I hate that but I hope she’s doing well
Love for Katie x
a therapist diagnosed me w social anxiety disorder bc of my fear of going out but this is literally me
I love being outdoors, in nature, on our ranch (we live in a very rural area). However, crowds, confined spaces (grocery stores and big box stores are the worst, as are airports), line-ups, elevators, tunnels, etc. are all triggers.
I “managed” throughout the years by avoiding going to these places as much as possible, or only with a “service human”. In 2021, I started training my own service dog. He passed his public access test last fall and is now provincially certified in British Columbia and Alberta. Having him by my side has been life-changing.
I've become so agoraphobic that I'm scared to go home. I hide in a room at my Mum's house
Please consider medication! Cymbalta saved my life from Agoraphobia.
@@noamweizmann thank you for recommending that, I'm going to look into it 👍
@@kallmekiki Yes you definitely should! I know medications effect everyone differently. But it saved my life completely and it would make me so happy to see it help someone else!
I know this is as posted 4 years or more ago, and I’m only just seeing it now, but if you see this Katie, I hope you’re doing well. Thank you for sharing your story
What I find hard is how fast everyone walks and how if u don't walk as fast you are bumped into or touched on looked at and then u are rushed around and then loud noises and you just need to sit down or you'll be sick
Man, I was looking for a video like this! It also explains a lot why I like staying in my room so much, I can just..be myself there.
Thank you!
So I’ve been told i had this because i’m scared of people. But i really don’t relate to the way it’s described in this video or in other videos. I’m not scared of going outside, i go on walks a lot. I’m not scared of having panic attacks either, i learned to ‘’hide’’ it. I’m scared of people and what they are going to do to me. Because all my friends, family members, exes, teachers, classmates, some strangers did terrible things to me. I feel like everyone is going to hurt me every where i go. And sometimes it’s not just a feeling…
Wow, thank you so much, I have had Agoraphobia for many many years, it's up and down now years later. When you said about intrusive thoughts coming into your head like, YOU COULD JUST STEP INTO THAT BUSY ROAD" Jump off that bridge, ext, I identified with this immediately, even you just saying it, I felt very uneasy straight away. That's exactly what I feel and the fear is so overwhelming I feel like a child. I also have PSTD from childhood. I visited Egypt a few years ago and had some medication for anxiety on the plane, anyway when I got there, so so so many people in Cairo, cars hooted, and moved in and out at speeds ext. Then I was told culturally you always need to be modestly covered, which I did not mind in the least. Anyway, I went outside and loads of people in the market, I had two people with me, walking along, telling myself, I'm ok, I'm safe ext ext, AN INTRUSIVE THOUGHT came into my mind, one I was not even thinking about, it was. WHAT IF YOU JUST LOSE CONTROL AND STARTS TAKEN YOUR CLOTHES OFF" Well panic rose up inside me, I tried to run and could not, I was absolutely terrified, Then another thought, what if you just start screaming, for no reason, people will look, another terrifying thought that sent me into feeling extremely afraid. It's so strange because logically I understand it is only a thought, but somewhere that terrible fear of actually doing it terrifies me. Sorry for going on. This happens very rarely now, have not had them thoughts for years, but I just never know, when and how they can just enter my thoughts. God bless everyone with this condition. p.s. before I go, the next time I went out in Cairo, I wore a belt around my trousers, that was hard to remove, this gave me some feeling of security if that thought came to my mind again, then I had no problem at all, any time I felt unsure, I touched the belt and knowing i could not just undress in public helped me soooooooooo much. I know it's crazy stuff, but at least I got to calm down and actually enjoy my trip. My advice is, to think outside the box to help yourself overcome the fear's that are very real to us. In the car, I have a little string to put around my wrist, just in case a thought comes, regarding jumping out, so stupid I know, as I know I would not do such a thing, again, it's the fear of your own thoughts. Be clever and invent your own strategy to own it, you then don't need medication so much on journeys outside. Hope this helps someone.
I have agoraphobia and it got worse during the pandemic. The way they were describing an average day is relatable, it takes everything I have to still go out sometimes. I gained so much weight, I was having everything delivered, got into credit card debt, and overdrew my account to the point my mom had to help me get back on track. It took me a long time to do anything outside my home. People who don’t live in that world don’t truly understand how hard it is.
This is basically my life now these last 6 months and it’s terrifying
Please consider medication! It saved my life! I was Agoraphobic for years. Cymbalta helped me tremendously!
@@noamweizmann I hsvent left my house in over a month, and im only fifteen. I just started this med and in praying itll work for me. Tried prozac with no success, so ive hit a bit of a plateau.
@@huskylover8167 I was in the same exact place as you when I was 15! Which medication are you trying right now?
@@huskylover8167 Prozac didn’t help me either.
@person it has! I’ve been outside a little more but ya know
I LOVE her style!
Hello Katie I'm Jeff from Tennessee and also an Agoraphobia survivor like yourself. I hope things are going good for you and someday when you have time I would like to tell you my agoraphobic horror story.
Take Care
Jeff
You say survivor? How did you get over it? My world is shrinking right now from fear of panic attacks and I'm interested in how people are able to return to normal life.
@@KJKanon I'd say that the first step is to go see a doctor. I've also heard of this "Claire weekes" method or whatever it is. Maybe you can try that?
I have mild agoraphobia. I'm fine outside, if I'm near my house. Because in my mind. If I freak out. I'm close to not being freaked out. Now my range has gotten farther. 15 minutes via driving. Now I've done 30 minute away. That's hard on me. But I could do it. I have a challenge this thanksgiving. My sister lives 2 hours away. At altitude, so the air will be thinner. Perfect combination of a panic attack and to lose my mind. I really want to go. But I want to go out of state and even out of the country. But any place farther from my house by 15 minutes is hard on me. I can work my job and go home and go to local spots. But that's it. It's a secret I can hide very well. Ugh. Benzos help.
Good video thanks for sharing your story
I fear big and open spaces, i don't fear to go outside but in places like malls i don't want to go too.
Lots ❤ it's good you are speaking out ❤
iv had agrafobia sins age 13 past 8 years I never leave my bed room unless I got appointments or my parents go 2 bed my room will b my coffin
How are you now?
@@huskylover8167 alive wabu
it's not outdoors you fear but people.
I have panic disorder. Specifically going to crowded places, or going into work for long hours sends me into a panic. If I'm having bad body image days, I'll have panic in relation to people seeing my body and I won't leave the house. I'm currently trying to get therapy because it's becoming debilitating.
The world is horrible so I don't blame her not everyone wants to be apart of society anymore look at it its horrible it's distressing!!
So reassured that I'm not alone........
I hate when I try to explain to someone how this affects my everyday life and they then try to relate and say something like "I hate going to the grocery store too" or "I only get gas from this gas station bc it's the cheapest". Then I have to try to explain that it's way deeper than catching a sale or the convenience of a location. And don't even mention having to find excuses so I don't have to attend events. Some times I force myself to go just to know I can still go outside and have some sense of "normalcy". But the entire time I just feel extremely awkward and out of place. Once I'm home it can take days for me to decompress from a single outing. I try to stick to family events although even those are becoming harder and harder. As my kids grow older and leave home I really have nothing or rather no one to "force" me to have to leave my home. This is getting very very difficult to deal with!
I have this too. We can proud we are human and this fear in many ways is Spiritual
We can do this! Jesus heals is
My biggest problem is I can’t drive anymore. And I used to love to take off on trips at the drop of a hat. I had my dream car too, a drop top.
I no longer drive for fear of driving off the road, or a bridge. It’s ridiculous I know. I’m quite sure a lot of people don’t believe me. That I’m just trying to get out of doing errands…etc.
it’s so lonely considering how much I loved doing it. And I do not know how to fix it.
A psychiatrist? Don’t know. 🤷🏼♀️
I was looking for a comment that describes how I'm feeling. I'm terrified of driving now. Finding a job after losing mine of 7 years has really hurt me mentally but also physically because my mind is affecting my body. Aches and pains where I've never had them. Contributes even more to my agoraphobia.
My Agoraphobia is a safe place too...Home...I love nature if I could only experience it from inside my home sadly . I've tried camping with my family and I HAD to go home at 1am. I had had some problems like unable to spend the night away and missing school days a lot since 3rd grade but it really developed after my husband died 8 years ago. I am 57 now and only leave home for drs appointments and I miss a lot of those too. I left 4 times in 2022 for short periods of time with the help of Xanax other than that I'm home . I don't even like my porch. I wonder if I'll ever be helped. Most of my friends and family forgot about me. It's a lonely life.
This is horrible. I have it a little bit but I still force myself to go out even if it’s uncomfortable. When I get the intrusive thought I just say “shut up and stop lying to me.”
Thank you for sharing guess I've been dealing with a long time
I also struggle w Agoraphobia and my anxiety is not that bad that I couldn’t leave the house at all but I have certain safe spaces that I hate to leave. I know how hard it is but u need to go out of your comfort zone in order to recover. I know that it sounds shit but it’s kind of the truth.
My cousin has a what the the doctors described as a mild case of Agoraphobia. He often has extreme anxiety whenever he's around large crowds, and as a result will seldom leave his apartment. The doctor that he sees for his anxiety prescribed him some medication so that he can cope better while in the middle of large crowds. The only side effect is that he says they can tend to interfere with his motoring ability, though he has told me that that is a small price to pay for something that plagues him daily. His physician also gave him some breathing method exercises to do whenever he feels extremely anxious. He has told they tend to work, but only when he's within the company of close friends or relatives. I always try to be there for him as much as I possibly can, though I admit, it is hard to be there consistently for someone whom has such a complicated condition. I hope that in time he can progress within the realms of stability without having to always rely on his loved ones and myself.
Sorry for what he's going through... it's embarrassing to admit I have a problem with social anxiety to people which I've just realized is tied into the panic attacks I've experienced and agoraphobia. I can't travel long distances without someone coming with me as I fear the worst but I've had a lot happen to me as well.
@@amandawilson9555 Thank you for your support and kind response to my comment. I'm am also sorry to hear about your agoraphobia condition. Strictly speaking from a onlookers point of view of my own cousin's condition, I know that it can be very difficult to cope with. I hope that in time you will be in good circumstances with your condition and wish you all the best in the ongoing future.
Omg this girl is me 💯💯💯 at least we are not alone xxx I’m 47yrs old and live like you ❤️❤️❤️👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
I’m looking for a support group, this is so painful and confusing.
hope your doing better I'm working on exposure therapy to going further away from home which isn't very far atm its scary and hard
I hope it’s going well! I started exposure therapy at the beginning of this year and it’s helped me so much! Congrats on doing something so difficult for your health!
@@jisoo1571 it's difficult for sure can only do a little atm long way to breaking ftom agoraphobia 🥲
ive been agoraphobic for over two years now, relapsing since my days as a studio musician.... this time around tho i am doing it alone and have found comfort in that, so this time around i avoid human contact for essentials and have had no guests... unfortuanatly people are out during daytime so i only go out at night, havent seen sun for about a year now
Agoraphobia can get you through the Coronavirus .
Martin I know because I suffer from it as well .
Corona virus made mine worse
Mee too because of this coronavirus
lockdwn didnt bother me as i never leave my room just the fear o catching it ending up in hospital way a air bag on my head made me panic so I never watched the news
Mhm
Agoraphobia and social anxiety disorder are more common now especially after Covid.
Food for thoughts, not all agoraphobes are the same, if you want an insight on how that works for me, try to think about what the following sentence means:
"Don't feel sorry for me because I don't go outside, feel sorry for me when I have to go outside"
Basically (because I'm not sure it makes sense to anyone but me) we don't all need/want to "heal". Think about something you really don't like, a food, a beverage... Got it? Do you care that you don't like it? No, because you don't like it! Same for me, I don't mind not going outside because I don't want to go outside.
I know that most agoraphobes are the exact opposite, they would like to have a normal life. I don't. I'm living the dream =) I know it's probably hard to understand (even to some agoraphobes) but that's my experience with agoraphobia. (And to agoraphobes who want to become normal and go outside, I don't undertsand you... Why would you want to go outside?!!! Are you nuts?! ^-^ I'm just kidding, you do you, I hope you'll pull through)
Do you want to solder tiny wires in video games consoles from 7am to 11pm?
No?! Then you understand why I don't want to change. Anything you could lure me with, going to a concert, have a walk in a park and so on, sounds to me like "soldering for 16 hours" sounds to you. You can easily live a full life without ever doing it, same for me, I really don't think like I'm missing out on anything, no matter how awesome or interesting it may sound to you.
That's my (probably weird) take on agoraphobia. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to scrap the rust from an old motherboard... Yeah, life doesn't get any better than that, does it ^-^ (that last sentence is only sarcasm to you...)
Im scared of being out surrounded by people that isn’t my family
Why does only occur to certain my friends think am confident but panic so hard when i see many people
I enjoy my own company a lot.. this means I might be a bit late in realising I've become reclusive because of anxiety, not because of all the other valid factors. This is a hard thing to navigate alone so I'm hoping my next therapist is going to have the expertise to support me
Same my girlfriend was murdered I was stabbed I never wanna leave my house again but my family hang out with drug attic‘s and they don’t do anything for me so literally every time I leave my house my heart is pounding when I get home I feel so lightheaded I am nauseous sometimes I threw up
Thanks, Dan Andrews. I've developed agoraphobia from your constant lock downs.
I have agoraphobia and my symptoms scares me i have a fear i got emetaphobia so it feels like im going to throw up when i leave home iv come soo close twice its awful and iv been far from home this what i hate i have a 3 and 5 yr old i was fine before it was after i gave birth to my 5 yr old i suffered, i feel like a rubbish mom i cant give my kids the best life with this condition or even work
How are hoy doing now?
@@huskylover8167 still feeling rubbish, think its for life
Same here, i can't work with this condition either, people literally don't get it and assume we're just being selfish or lazy, you got this 🙏😢💔 hopefully it gets easier to deal with, with time.
@@kallmekiki fast forward im working now my anxiety and fears have reduced i done 3 months therapy, prayer lifestyle change gt me through it
@@cece3547 I've considered therapy & still may in my near future, I'm so happy to hear that your experience with this has reduced, that's Amazing!! ❤️🙏 And that's great news that you were able to go back to work, i hope things continue to be on the up rise for you 😌👍
Not to be like that but i wish i had agoraphobic friends so we could share our thoughts and understand eachother. 😔
I can be your friend
I just found out that I’m agoraphobic, this video and these comments make me feel less alone. Quarantine caused mine to be 1000x worse. I have not been happy for years.
Did your body ever hurt from not going out . I stay on so much that I don't really move much and my body hurts so I'm kinda forced to go outside if it hurts really bad
Right there with you
it feels like shes not she and also myself
I used to have this and it makes me really hot and itchy just thinking about having it again. Really awful stuff.
Love the shirt thank you for that
Sometimes I sit and watch the bird feeder through the window for hours, outside of going to work, shopping or taking a walk. I still feel like the center of unwanted attention.
I have agoraphobia/ telephone phobia - I’ve literally have almost lost jobs and lost friends/ relationships because of the telephone phobia- I can take my dogs to park and drive to work but, I can’t get myself to go to grocery store etc,..I can’t make myself go out even though I have so many fun things and free things to do and live in Las Vegas!
I can relate so much to everything she says.
It’s not going outdoors that is crippling for some. I mean for me it’s the proximity of people. Even living in a home I find it bothersome to hear sounds from outside. I begin to think that if I can hear people outside, birds and doors shutting then thinking those people can hear me if they wanted to freaks me out.