I haven't left mine in 9 months and its driving me crazy, I feel so helpless and some days I can't stand it but when I think about getting in the car and going somewhere I feel panic and think its too far to go. Panic starts setting in and I feel like I could die if I try it.
Does anyone have anxiety so bad that they can't leave their house?
Question posted by kaylyn on 16 May 2011
Last updated on 20 April 2025
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
127 Answers Page 6
HotHumid1234
6 Feb 2012
It sounds like you have a severe case of Agorophobia I took a self help course to overcome this disorder myself a few years ago. I think it was called panic away.I had success from the first day and i t was worth every penny.
It is simple to overcome with the right help.It is all in your mind but is very disturbing you start by realizing nothing is wrong with you it is an over reaction of parts of the brain that cause fear. You most likely also have severe panic attacks and anxiety this too never killed anyone once you realize this it goes away on its own.
Inactive
5 Feb 2012
Hi Kaylyn. I am sorry to hear that you are going through this isolation. I suffer from anxiety, there are days that I experience severe anxiety as well. I can't explain "why" I go through this when I'm on plenty of anxiety medication I mean it comes and goes it doesn't happen on a daily basis. When I do go through this it's pretty bad. I don't want to be around anybody. I'm on Ativan, Lamictal, and Risperdal, they seem to help although I have had my medication adjusted time after time.
I have several medical conditions it seems to be triggering the anxiety, such as: Fibromyalgia, depression, bipolar, and panic disorder I'm on medication to treat the condition.
I hope this finds you well and helps you know that you're not alone.
-Blondie
Vcki P Stanford
7 Dec 2011
Panic attacks are usually a result of unresolved anxiety over a period of time. I got pregnant at an early age. The stress of caring for a baby at a young age and keeping up with house-hold activities was the beginning of anxiety in my life.I had my first panic attack when I was 17, it scared me so badly that each time I went some where and had a panic attack was one more place I no longer wanted to go. By the time I was 18 I could hardly go anywhere alone. For the next 17 YEARS I suffered from AGORAPHOBIA... I met a man, a friend of my husbands and shared my story with him, he told me "one day you will get better" I found it hard to believe him but he shared with me that he too had anxiety issues for years and had finally conqured them. So after a while I got really sick and I had to see a Dr. I was fortunate enough when going to emergency Dr's Office to get a Dr. who also suffered from panic attacks, I put my trust in him he started me on Xanax (a quick fix...
not a cure)and anti-depressant drug. And so I was 35 years old when I started living my life. Even today at age 59 I still find it easier to stay home than to go... and do things. I suppose I will always feel like that. But today I am in college... studying to be a nurse to give back some of the grace that has been given to me in my life.I still take an anti-depressant drug because I have to. But I want to leave you with this truth. You too can overcome your fears and anxieties. Find a good Dr., get on some good meds. Seek the help and advice of others. Trust in God!!! And you too will be encouraging others as time goes by. Oh yes you will!
land25
7 Dec 2011
Vicki, your life sounds a little like mine. I began having the panic/anxiety when i was in mid 40's, and am now 10 yrs later, still taking something... I used to take paxil, but thought I could come off it... found I was feeling weirder than ever as I came off it. now taking cymbalta 30mg and it's getting better. but what makes me mad is that my anxiety must have worsened over the 9 yrs on paxil. I get dizzy and distracted in the morning before leaving for work, to the point that I have to force myself to concentrate while driving. I don't recall this ever happening to me in the past, but maybe my condition is just that much worse after 10yrs. I was wondering what medication you take and if you've found one that works well.
thanks, Pal.
linje
15 Nov 2011
Hi, I have sufferered anxiety and social phobia for many yrs although I did go several yrs where my confidence soared I was then on Nardil but unfortunately was told that drug was being banned since then I have gradually got worse I had to pack up work. I have been prescribed different tabs of the doctor including cymbalta, monoclobemide but am now trying a combination of herbal remedies. As I am also pre menopausal which we believe is what is agravating my problem I am now taking St Johns Wort, Agnus Castus & Evening primrose oil.
Peteroy
25 Oct 2011
I've been having problems with that for 5 years. Mist days I do leave house cuz I have a job. But I ran out of my paxil 5 days ago and I'm feeling horrible. Can't sleep. Feels like my inside will explode cuz I just got my meds paxil/ Xanax. I know excactly how u feel. I feel like my inside won't slow down and it miserable. I take Xanax as well and that doesn't help to much eather. I'm sorry for what ur goin through. I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels like this. I soo hate it. Can't slepp. Can't calm my inside down. It's just amazing how someone call feel like this. I sure hope u feel better
kerri lynn 34
16 Oct 2011
I go threw the same exact thing all the time can not leave the house because of anxity I have been on zanex 10 years they can help but not always. At least when I have a doctors appointment I no I have to go if I run out of zanex it would probably kill me from a seizure I shake uncontrolable and I have a son so I have to feed him
April87
15 Oct 2011
I have had that feeling before when I was on depression pills. I'm currently now on anymore. My best friend that I use to calm my nerves is "balance" or "serenity!" If you have tried almost everything. Try this it is natural and side effects. Its an essential oil. It saved my life from panic attacks to suicidal. You can look into it at WWW.Doterra.com
Good luck and God bless!
Inactive
7 Oct 2011
i just recentlly started having horrible anxiety and panick attacks, and lots of fear to go to sleep, and feelings of heart attacks since i lost my nana a month ago, i do believe for me it was having to administer cpr till the medics got here, but all in all the whole situation really killed me inside, panick attacks are just bad, i hate it, my arms and ears get numb and itchy and i feel as if i cant breath, i was cleared medically and prescribed xanax which i didnt take yet, does anyone know that this anxiety and panick dis order i have could be caused by the trauma of giving cpr to my nana knowing she was already gone? help someone cause i cant take this anymore
Inactive
3 March 2012
Hi helpmehaw. You wrote: I just recently started having horrible anxiety and panic attacks, and lots of fear to go to sleep, and feeling of heart attacks.
This is how I have been feeling for the past 2 weeks or maybe longer, the anxiety has been pretty high. The anxiety has been beyond leaving the apartment it was to where I had this fear of someone seeing my eyes they are dilated, the pupils are big. What is up with that? Is this normal? I mean I can hardly look at my own eyes they're almost evil. Sounds weird, I know.
My eyesight is good I don't have trouble seeing. With my eyes like this it makes the anxiety real bad. I can't stand to be around anybody sounds lore like the general anxiety disorder. I suffer from bipolar disorder, panic/anxiety disorder, depression.
Am I alone on this one.
-Blondie
mnmomma2011
4 Sep 2011
I also go thru this & the best thing that has "helped" me is self talk. Focus on your breathing & do EVERYTHING you can to think of warm relaxing things. Trust me I know at times this is much easier said than done!! Remember to take 1 day at a time! If I don't remind myself to do this EVERYDAY I GET WAY TO OVERWHELMED!! I hope this helps... best of luck to you : )
sarah69309
4 Sep 2011
Kaylyn u are not alone I was in your position 4 5yrs I even closed all the curtains in the house as looking outside made me start 2 panic and hyper ventilate. I tried lots of meds the dr came 2 my home as I couldn't go 2 the surgery. Nothing worked. Eventually my son who was 4 at the time was playing outside and I was the only one at home. He started screaming so much that it sounded like he was being murdered. I HAD 2 go and get him I had no choice. After wat seemed like a lifetime but was probably a minute I reached the front door and saw him lying in the road. I rushed over. Heart beating so fast sweat pouring off me. His bicycle was lying on top of him I picked him up and he stopped crying. 'Mom ur outside' he said. I asked if he was ok and started 2 take him in2 the house.
' No' he said his short explanation was his bike was so heavy he couldn't get it off himself and he was crying in frustration as he couldn't get back on it again without someone removing it!!! I went into the house. I hadn't died or had a heart attack nothing bad had happened 2 me and I had left the house. It was only about 100metres I'd walked but it was a start. Every day after that I tried to at least make it 2 my gate.I started. Opening the curtains again. After a week I went across the road. It was baby steps but gradually I went further and further. Don't think in terms of a long ride in the car just a few steps. Then a few more. Before u know it the tightening in ur chest the fast breathing all that will gradually improve. I've been ok most of the time now for 15 yrs tho I still have panic attacks they're not so frequent and don't last as long. I hope u overcome this tauma in ur life a baby step at a time. Good luck. I KNOW u can do it because I did and if I can... My thoughts go with u all the best of luck
annatfultz
4 Sep 2011
While I do have physical problems where my Drs say I shouldn't work and I need plenty of bed rest, I am permitted to go out places for short periods of time, but because of my depression and anxiety, I don't even wanna get outta bed. It is a task within itself for me to go out. I hate getting ready. I never put on makeup or do my hair I just shower, pull hair up and brush teeth and only leave house when I have no choice. My dr and therapist say its the depression and anxiety doing this to me. 3 yrs ago before I became physically ill, I.was a workaholic since I was 15, working as many hours as possible, I loved hanging with friends, I would not leave the house without makeup and hair fixed. I am 30 now and since I have become such a homebody, I feel like walls r closing in on me and my friends r barely coming around. I wanna be like I used to so bad but I can't find inner strength to do it. I totally understand.
It sounds like we have a lot in common. I feel so alone. I am gonna friend u and u can friend me back, and then.we can private message each other. It really helps to talk to people that really get it, so I am here anytime. I am sorry u r going thru this too. I dont wish this feeling on my worst enemy. Hope to here from u soon.
primetimegrape
3 Sep 2011
Sounds like u have Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia, exactly what I have and I know what u are going through. It is living hell!! I used to run out of supermarkets, malls or any other social place b/c of panic attacks or the fear of having one. I soon became a prisoner in my own home for almost a year. Got into therapy, take Xanax as needed, a great drug to halt panic attacks but it can be abused. There are plenty of short and long acting benzodiazepines that will ease your anxiety and finding a doctor to give u one of these along with a longer term medication is the best solution. I take Buspar now and only Xanax in case of an emergency. They are good emergency pills, but I don't have to rely on them, and I have never abused them. Way too much medical benefit with panic disorder to do something stupid, but many do, and Xanax is the most abused benzo.
Longer acting benzos like Valium and Klonopin are good options and work for some, but some like them, some don't. Panic disorder is horrible. It runs in my family, on my mom's side. She has it herself. It will never go away, but there are medications and therapy to combat it. I am now able to get out of the house. I do have my "bad" days sometimes, but those are much less frequent, but they are a painful reminder of my anxiety disorder. Best of luck to u!! God Bless
Davefred
25 Aug 2011
Hello Kaylyn...
A very real issue that is all encompassing for you - and the anxiety that it's causing you adds to the problem eh? My initial thought is to ask you if you have some nice empathic, non-judgemental friends? If so, use them, as I'm sure they'd love to help and have their old friend back. I understand how you feel Kaylyn, but I'm afraid this issue does require some determination and willingness to "feel the fear and do it anyway"... Easy to say I know, but with a friend(s) gradually begin the process of stepping outside your comfort zones Kaylyn. Time served advice indeed - but you could also benefit from accessing a counsellor (ask GP if you are short of available funds). It will be 13 weeks of CBT Kaylyn but you may also discover why you have this fear of losing control by accessing your local support group.
Perhaps there's a MIND or other mental health service around? Here you will gain identification, grow in self-awareness, personal development and make new friends perhaps? A safe place to share and slowly recover Kaylyn. It's a fear of losing control usually, so someone that could help you explore this fear is advisable. It will all start by you digging deep and discovering that actually - you have more courage and empowerment than perhaps you might think you have Kaylyn... All the best to you...
keeping strong
25 Aug 2011
Your not alone there... I have been laid off from my job of 11 years, 7 years ago!!! Yep, thats right. Pretty sad, needless to say I have not been the happiest camper around. I mean, I have had part-time jobs here and there, nothing for any great amount of time. It's been hard and I spent more and more time at home, really not much good on going out. Forget friends and parties, hobbies because they really just made me feel worse and very ashamed of my life. I slowly started getting more active going for walks and enjoying some "normal" stuff again. I really don't have agood answer for you, I wish I did ! Your not alone , thats what I want to say to you and everybody else out there, I know I roll my own eyes when I re-read this but... tacky or not, ladies and gents, it is a fact.
sharipdx
24 Aug 2011
It's called Agoraphobia. I suffered from this for years. I could drive the 1 mile to work, but nowhere else... ever.
When I found out that it actually had a name and many people suffered from this, that fact alone helped me a lot.
I "cured" myself by taking "baby steps", like concertrating on my breathing when I felt a panic attack coming on, breath in 1-2-3, then out 1-2-3, and this really helped. Or sing along with the radio in the car. I carried a small paper bag in case I felt like I was going to hyperventilate. That was my security bag.
You have to come to the realization that you will NOT die, or most likely even pass out if you start to deal with the fear/symptoms. My fear was getting another panic attack. It haunts you if you let it. There are many books on this subject and many web pages for "Agoraphibia". You are certainly NOT alone.
Good luck
Inactive
25 Aug 2011
I read your answer and so I friended you hoping you can help me. I have only drove 3x in the last year and not alone. I want my life back. Thanks Von-1
sharipdx
26 Aug 2011
I was going to San Francisco from Oakland with a friend and at the last min. he decided that I should drive across the bridge. I told him that I would die, or pass out, or crash us and he said, "No you won't". I held that steering wheel so hard that I thot it would come off in my hands, but you know what? I did it. I still thank him for that first BIG step. We did this several more times until I could do it alone.
Concentrate on breathing slowly thru you nose and feeling the air flow over your upper lip. That gets me thru most stuff even now. Even thru cancer surgery!
You just need to think of something else besides your fear of a panic attack. Also, if you are talking to someone or singing you can't concentrate on your fears. I also used to read all of the road signs out loud or talk to my dog. You slowly get in the habit of NOT having panic attacks and they eventually go away.
I didn’t go to a shrink or anyone. I did it on my own with the help of a couple of friends over a period of time. I really hated myself for the whole panic thing because I’m a strong person, a control freak, and a survivor!
Inactive
26 Aug 2011
you sound like me, i was always in charge of everything, this has just killed me I don't wanat to live like this. i have got to do something. Thank you and I will take your advice. Von
pickles503
30 April 2013
Hi. One book is called the"Bell Jar" by Sylvia Platt
I'm agoraphobic, also. I only go places with my daughter. I stay in my place the rest of the time. I don't answer the door, nor the phone, unless it's one of my kids.
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sta-d, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder
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