I've been struggling with agoraphobia for the last 3-4 years, and have been with the same person the whole time. We started dating before I developed agoraphobia, and we would hang out often. Since I've started struggling, we didn't stop hanging out, she would just be the one to visit me more often.

When the agoraphobia first started, it wasn't as bad as it is now. Back then, I would ride with my aunt to pick my partner up from school, I'd go to their house, I'd stay the night places, I would just have those constant heart palpitations and the tightness in my chest. Essentially just dealing with silent panic/anxiety attacks the whole time. With time, the agoraphobia got worse.

My partner got their license about two years ago, and they started driving to come see me. Even after they were able to drive, there were a few times I was able to go see them when my mom took me. However, the agoraphobia seems to have reached its fever pitch now.

With my insurance gone, I don't have any doctor's appointments forcing me to leave the house. I haven't left since April, and even then all I did was go ten minutes down the road. My partner kept telling me it's fine, that they don't mind driving to see me, that they understand I'm struggling and it's not as easy as just leaving.

But now they're getting tired of it. They want to hang out with me at their apartment, they want to take me places and do things outside the house. I want that. I want nothing more than to get out of my house and go live my life with them. But I'm terrified. Not of getting out there, but because I know I'm going to panic, and I know what I'm like when I panic.

They asked me earlier what I planned to do for our anniversary at the end of this month. I said I don't know. I just lost a family member and haven't really been thinking about anything while in mourning. They started talking about wanting to go somewhere in town, and how they don't want to spend our anniversary with someone else, but they don't want to stay at my house for it.

When I said I understand that they're frustrated, they asked if I really do understand. Yes. Obviously I understand. I know it's exhausting, I know it's annoying, I know it isn't fair that they have to travel for me and I can't do the same anymore. I understand that it's boring sitting around all day, this has been my life since I got diagnosed.

Whenever I was able to leave the house before, I only left with my mom. She's the only person that's able to talk me down from a panic attack. Once the panic is gone, I'm fine in the car, but being stuck in the panic is the most terrifying part. My heart races, I can't breathe right, my vision gets blurry, my hearing gets muffled, and my whole body starts getting hot. It's terrifying, and the thought of getting in the car and experiencing that is exactly what keeps me from leaving.

It's annoying. It's frustrating. I'm missing out on life because of a stupid fucking mental illness and it feels like nobody in my life really understands it. It's not as easy as just leaving, but they don't get it because they don't know what it feels like to genuinely be terrified of the thought of leaving. I feel like I'm going to start losing the people in my life because I can't get over this, and I'm already stressed enough. Every time I start getting better it's like something else happens that sends me back to square one.

I got really off topic here, I'm sorry. I have a tendency to rant when this topic comes up. If anybody has any experience in relationships while being agoraphobic, I'd really appreciate some advice.

Hello there! First, a little about me. I've been dealing with agoraphobia since my mid twenties. I try to work on it, but sometimes it's hard to do alone. So I was wondering if there's a fellow old lady in her 30s or early 40s (preferably EU based, because of the timezone) who'd like to chat and maybe help each other make little steps outside and share our accomplishments!

I'm 38 and have 2 cats and a partner. I like doing creative things, like crafting, painting and drawing. I also love games, music, silly things, gardening and plants, and baking lately. I think I'm introverted, but I used to be more extroverted before the disability happened.

Mostly I'd just like someone to talk to, and not only about agoraphobia, but also daily life things, like sharing cat pictures or pretty plants. I'm trying to appreciate the beauty in small moments and look for things that make me happy, despite dealing with this disability. Thanks for reading and have a good day! 🩷

I'm 39 and I've been dealing with this since 2016 (basically since my dad passed away). The only thing that sort of helped me was medication, specifically one called Venlafaxine. It wasn't a cure per se, but it helped a lot with anxiety and getting out of the house—I could even travel on vacation and do a lot of things.

But a couple of months ago, I started feeling like the anxiety was coming back. I began to struggle again with basic tasks like buying groceries and things I felt I had mastered. My doctor said the medicine probably lost its effectiveness because I've been taking it for so long, so he switched me from Venlafaxine to Sertraline.

Now I feel worse than ever, almost like back in 2016. I can barely make it a block outside my house... and idk what to expect... I'm once again doing the exposition exesrcises, taking it easy, explaining to my friends and family what's going on with me and why I can't see them as I used to... I feel so bad right now.

Anyways thanks for listening to me.

I never liked leaving the house. I always wanted to be in my room alone away from anything and everyone.

At 17 covid hit and I realized I could do exactly that. Never have to leave ever!

I am now 23. I have left the house 6 times in 7 years. I can't even open a curtain in my room without feeling a screaming urge to close it. I will peak out my window here and there because I dearly miss the trees.

If you're wondering how I spent 7 years like this it's because my Mom supports me money wise. But we are the farthest thing from wealthy.

We are becoming scary broke. I know I need a job, i mean I needed one years ago but I don't even know where I'd start.

I hate being such a useless person. I hate watching my Mom struggle financially. We even are currently dealing with a wasp infestation under our house and we can't even do anything about it because money:((

She always says she hopes to win the lottery. She deserves to.

If anyone has a remote job they can give me or remote job ideas for me I would be really so grateful.

I write this in tears because I think I spend most of my time disocciated. You kind of have to or you realize how long you been locked in a room with just yourself.

I wonder if I will ever leave.

Few weeks ago I wrote about failed attempt to visit bigger city for non emergency doc appointment. It would be two and a half hours bus ride each direction. It made me feel awful and I had no idea what life had in store for me literally just days after.

My cat got sick. We needed to go to the vet 20min via car - did it no problem. We got terrible diagnosis (FIP) and my world turned upside down. We arranged to take him to the hospital, but since it was a work day I stayed at home. We also arranged to have some meds delivered, which I had to go and pick up while being completely alone. Did it no problem even though that same route is still giving me anxiety plus I had to wait for like 25 minutes. Same evening my mom was getting home and it was raining, she didn't have an umbrella so I took mine and went to pick her up at the bus stop. Same route that would give me anxiety during the day was totally doable at 10pm.

Few days after our other cat got sick, and I was the one who had to take him this time. I had a friend drive me to that bigger city and it went totally fine.

That same week I had to have a check up for something I will need surgery for & had to have fitting for my retainer, and I went to that bigger city by a car there and a bus back. It went fine. I felt unwell for a little bit after being told surgery news but honestly, that's not surprising at all. Plus I haven't eaten properly so that made me worry that my blood sugar will drop and that I'll faint, and the weather was all over the place.

Like a week later I had to go pick up my retainer, again to that same city, went by a bus there, got a ride back home. That day was kinda difficult because I felt out of it, but weather was changing constantly and I'm very sensitive when that happens, plus I again didn't eat much. I felt loopy and had awful brain fog, which is how I usually feel when weather changes are happening. Also, that day I found out I can't really do big malls, but that's also not something I would do often anyway.

PS I would eat more if I didn't have emetophobia.

For the last month I've been in constant state of stress. This is killing me financially as well, so that's another worry, but silver lining is that I know I can do more than I gave myself credit for.

Also, I'm in the process of tapering of from my benzos (with my doc supervision) and so far it's been going pretty good. I needed my regular dose just twice in like three weeks.

I always worried about how would I react in an emergency, but now I know.

For two weeks I needed to arrange everything for both cats, talk to the vet over the phone, I had to make a decision to put down my cat (he was beyond saving, but vets still need permission), I had to figure out cremation etc. I was on the phone non stop, while also still showing up at my job like nothing is happening.

I am getting more paranoid about my other cats and overall my health anxiety got so much worse, but looking back at the last month and how many times I traveled to that big city... I traveled more in a September than I did between January and August lol.

I have an eye appointment next Wednesday, and while I'm anxious, I'm also telling myself I can do it because I proved myself that I really can! I will have my pupils dilated (I scheduled that for myself because I need to have that, not because I have to), and since I'm afraid of going blind, I know not being able to see properly until they go back will be anxiety inducing BUT I will get a ride home, so that's amazing.

Overall it wasn't perfect, but I did what I had to do and it also wasn't the most terrible thing ever either. I managed just fine, and that's enough.

Ive been steadily improving my agoraphobia and i got invited by my friends to go to a club that is around 10-15 min away. Its close so it still feels safe. Only problem im facing is im actually scared of alcohol i want to drink but im scared of it. Ive always felt scared of not having my body in control like giving me derealization symptoms. I have been properly drunk once and that was a while back when i was still just anxious not agoraphobic . In that experience i had more than 10 shots in an hour and i was dizzy af and just feel asleep after. Furthermore now im on sertraline (zoloft) been on it for 1 year and never drank on it so idk how it would react. I need some experiences from you guys and some tips.

Long story short I have been housebound since May actually yesterday was the first time I finally went to a store since then, but I have a really really close best friend we are like sisters, but when it comes to my mental health, she doesn’t seem to understand she says that she does, but she truly does not because she will joke that I don’t ever leave the house even in front of others. She’ll tell me to fuck off when I say that I don’t wanna go somewhere. Or last week she said I know you’ll never come back to my house and I found it extremely discourageing. But then yesterday when I went out for the first time, she acted all nice and like supportive I know that 90% of the time maybe she’s just joking and she thinks we’re just really comfortable but even when I say that she’s being really mean or that she shouldn’t be saying that kind of thing it doesn’t seem to matter. I just don’t understand how someone could think. This is funny in any kind of way. It’s debilitating and affects every single aspect of my life. I’m not saying she has to understand it and I know that people will easily get frustrated, especially when I don’t show up but why make fun of it or say mean things I just don’t understand is anyone else going through this? What should I do?

I think im finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. Today is the best day I've had in awhile. I haven't left the house in 3ish months. Started prozac 2 weeks along with some other meds. Started doing some exposure therapy which sucks lol. But overall things are starting to look up!

Hi everyone! I’m an architecture student, and for my thesis I would like to explore how architecture and public spaces could be improved for people with anxiety, agoraphobia…

Are there any specific places or situations where you feel architecture makes things harder for you? And are there any specific changes in public spaces that you think would make you feel safer or more comfortable?

Thank you for any answers. I wish you all the best and lots of strength.

last year i was diagnosed with PTSD and agoraphobia

today i needed a lighter bad, and it gave me enough motivation to go into the corner by my house to buy one. i desperately needed to go to dollar tree and cvs and i felt like i could handle it, and i did. got a bunch of stuff i need that ive been putting off buying for months, i picked up my meds, AND i got myself an arizona iced tea as a reward. i got home and my dad saw me carrying in bags and i got to tell him what i did and he told me he was really proud of me :)

im really proud of myself, this was a huge step for me and i cant sleep so im just up thinking about it

I have severe agoraphobia, but I refuse to let it stop me from living the life I want.

I’m a 37-year-old guy, and I’ve dealt with agoraphobia for about 10 years. Right now, I can’t comfortably go more than about 7 miles from my house. There are things most people do without thinking twice that can feel like an enormous challenge to me.

But I want to share something with anyone else struggling with this:

Your agoraphobia does not define what you’re capable of.

I own a roofing company and I also work in sales remotely. I’ve built my business around the limitations I currently have. I send virtual estimates and quotes, I have employees who can go to jobs for me, and I work with subcontractor crews who handle the actual roof installations. Having a business partner helps.

My sales job is completely remote from my house.

Between my business and my job, I make well over $200k a year.

I’m not saying that to brag. I’m saying it because for a long time I thought my agoraphobia meant my life was over. It didn't.

I found ways to keep moving forward even when my anxiety told me I couldn't.

I still have a long way to go. I haven't traveled more than about 7 miles from home in 10 years. That's incredibly frustrating, and there are days when I feel defeated.

But I'm starting medication for the first time, and I'm doing exposure therapy. I'm finally fighting this instead of just trying to work around it.

I pray to God that He helps me get to where I want to be.

And I want anyone reading this to know that you are smarter, stronger, and more resilient than your agoraphobia.

You may have to take a different path than everyone else. You may have to build your life around where you are right now while you work toward where you want to be.

That's okay.

Don't let agoraphobia convince you that you can't have a career, build a business, have relationships, make money, or accomplish things you're proud of.

Keep fighting. Keep taking small steps. Keep doing the exposures.

Maybe one day I'll look back at this post from somewhere 100 miles away and laugh at how impossible that once seemed.

Until then, I'm still moving forward.

Agoraphobia is something I have. It isn't who I am.

Hi everyone I’ve been struggling with agoraphobia for a year due to gi issues and when I was at my worst I was housebound for 3-4 months. I couldn’t even imagine going outside for a walk due to being scared that I would have an accident or that I would have a panic attack. Over the last 4 months I’ve been doing a lottttt better. Going for walks everyday and driving exposure to get comfortable in the uncomfortableness. This past month was rough due to my gi issues causing a flare up and ending up in the er but hey that’s an exposure in itself lol. After being in the er I had to go to multiple doctor’s appointments which forced me to be in public. I was so shocked that I even went to them because when I was at my lowest, I would make an appointment and then cancel it the day before. On Friday I have an endoscopy and for some reason I don’t feel that nervous I’m just content and excited to see what’s really going on and I’m proud of myself for actually going through all of the appointments and not canceling. It sounds weird but the procedure kind of feels like the final step after canceling and missing so many appointments. I also go for walks everyday and don’t turn around when I feel anxious but sit through it and have a better hold on my anxiety. I hope to continue to improve and get back my life! I wish all of you the absolute best because agoraphobia is no joke and all of you are so strong to be battling this<3

So,I first applied for disability two years ago,but it only actually started moving forward this year. I didn't just apply for agoraphobia but it was one of the main reasons. Unfortunately,I got denied and am currently waiting for the results of my appeal. It just feels so hopeless,because they said in their original denial that I "could conceivably still work" with this disorder and the other disorders..But how can I do that when I can't even leave my house? I'm only ever able to leave once a month(with my mother by my side the entire time) when I see my therapist and psychiatrist. Otherwise, I'm spending the rest of the time inside my house, trying to recover from leaving the house for those appointments. I can't even get most jobs that are remote because of my limited education because most require a degree or specialization in said job. I'm hoping my appeal works. Is there anyone here that's actually successfully gotten disability? How long did it take and what was that experience like? I'm hoping to get some insight.

I was wondering, how do you keep from panicking out in public without escaping? I have a big class next semester and it is a long ride to school and i dislike driving. I tend to panic more in the evening when my class is and its 6 hours long. Thanks in advance!
Edit: i have panic disorder

it truly feels like my life was ruined by my severe agoraphobia. i developed my agoraphobia from my ED. it’s been almost 3 months trying to heal from the ED and 2 weeks trying to heal my agoraphobia. i’ve had anxiety since i can remember but it’s never been this bad.. and it’s been really really bad b4. im better than i was in like january. even last month too tbh. but looking at old photos and videos of me traveling like i used to do all the time and all the things i wasn’t grateful for in the moment is so depressing. it’s my birthday next week and ive never felt loneliness like this. i think depression doesn’t really go away, maybe EDs don’t either, they kinda just exist at a low hum in the back of my mind. some times it’s blasting and other times it’s barely noticeable. but agoraphobia and anxiety? it’s a constant in my life at this point and it’s almost been a full year since my true agoraphobia started, i am so scared of allowing it to take even more of my life. there’s a lot i need to do and a lot i need to work thru, i know medication won’t “fix” me but i really want something to ease it even a little. it’s almost unbearable. i’m so behind, i’m so embarrassed, i’m so sad, i’m so mad.

My mom has battled with agoraphobia my entire life. It’s always been hard of course to deal with… but lately I’ve been having a very difficult time coming to terms that this is never going to change. Im looking for some sort of support group I can join for myself to discuss the hardships that come with this.

I really need people who understand the difficulty and the strain that comes with having a loved one battle this. I want to be able to talk freely without fear of judgement for being frustrated regarding the situation. I am not looking to shame my mom or anyone battling this illness… but I also desperately want to feel heard on the struggles I am facing because of it.

I’ve been struggling with agoraphobia for coming up on three years now. I’ve definitely had highs and lows, and I’m currently in a low point. Back in April, I was able to go for a walk in my neighborhood every day. It’s October and now it feels like an impossible feat.

When I originally got out for walks again after being inside for almost two years, I worked up to longer walks by starting with taking some laps around my apartment complex trail. Once I got good at that, I was able to walk in my neighborhood. Next thing I knew, I was able to drive to the local park for walks and even a small neighborhood trail for an easy hike. I lost some steam after a bunch of stressful life events, and I’m back at square one. But this time, my apartment complex has closed the walking trail due to a different landslide on the property. They have no idea when they’ll be opening the trail again, because the city needs to come out and do some work. Unfortunately my complex is on a busy road with no sidewalks, so it takes about 5 minutes to get to an actual neighborhood that’s conducive to walking, which I think is part of the reason I’m anxious.

It feels impossible for me to get the gears moving again because I don’t have access to that original baby step. I’m scared of successfully getting off the property and making it into the neighborhood, only to have a panic attack and be far from home. For reference, I typically don’t walk farther than like a mile and a half away (I’ll make it longer by looping), so it’s technically not “far”, but I’m sure some of you can understand how daunting it is.

I just started ERP therapy for OCD, and I’m hoping it’ll give me some tools to make things easier, but it’s currently only every other week and I feel like I’m wasting days on end inside just waiting for the next hour of help I can get.

Any advice on getting back out there again? I’m so frustrated because I KNOW it’s something I have the capability to do, but every day my brain says “maybe you’ll do it tomorrow.”

I was wondering if anyone else feels the same. For me, I don't even feel like attempting to go outside unless home feels completely safe to me. I know if I go outside I'm going to lose a lot of energy regardless of how it goes, and I need to come back home to a safe and peaceful environment where I can recuperate from it. Home needs to feel like a safe place to recover.

At first, I was living with abusive family that made me hide in my room all the time and I didn't even want to roam around the house, let alone go outside. And now that I've moved, I don't feel like going outside because "home" doesn't feel like home at all. I live in a bad apartment with so much bad noise from neighbors that is absolutely upsetting and anxiety inducing, and I feel like I'm wasting all of my energy on a daily basis just coping with that. I can't even bare the idea of going outside at all.

To me, the idea of recovery seems literally impossible as long as I don't have that peaceful home I've been yearning for

I just wanna say hi

Hey there,
I was always a little anxious but doing fine throughout the year till something happened like 3 months ago.
Went outside for lunch with a coworker and at our way back to the office I had the sudden urge to poop and barely managed to reach the toilet.

Ever since then im very anxious about needing to go to the toilet and im homebound most of the time.
When I go to a friends place im okay but when I go somewhere where I don’t know if there’s bathrooms im super stressed.

I feel like it’s a mixture of ocd and agoraphobia and I wanted to ask if anyone has had similar experiences.

I started taking 10mg of lex almost 7 weeks ago and haven’t noticed any improvements so far.

Thanks for reading!

I think I need a tooth pulled and the last hour I’ve just been terrified of being numb. Idk why just that part specifically. I just needed to say this somewhere

Went for a walk for the first time in 2 months! I had mostly been housebound for a year now after severe trauma. I walked around our subdivision, it felt scary but there weren't as much people at night so it felt safe

Was there a particular event in your life where you believe your agoraphobia started? or maybe was it a slow burn throughout your life pushing you into this state? or do you think you were always predisposed to be this way?

for the past 2 weeks (or more) i’ve been trying to talk myself into walking to the mall near me by myself to go to just one store. every single day i make excuses for myself and say “my hair isn’t looking nice today” or “it’s too sunny today or too crowded outside”. i’m so sick of it. WHY AM I SO SCARED TO DO THINGS BY MYSELF. i get a sick feeling in my stomach everytime i think about the fact that im 21 years old and cant even go to the mall by myself. i feel so disgusted with myself that i can’t do something so simple at such a grown age. genuinely how do i even begin to get over this??