I am developing a fear of going out in public

I have NO IDEA where this is coming from, I've never felt this way before. Sure, i get anxiety over specific situations or sometimes am too depressed to go anywhere, but that's depression. This is like panic attack just thinking about going 'out there'. My logical brain tells me this is stupid. My parasympathetic system says AAAHHHHHHH!!!! For example, i am supposed to see my psychologist today and i am on the verge of panic just thinking about going out there for the apt. I don't even think it's the apt itself, just the GOING part. I think i'm going to call her and ask how to deal with this, because i've not only not experienced this, but none of my coping strategies seem to help ease the panic i feel.

Anyone have expereince with this? What is the reason? And most importantly, how do you make it STOP! ?

Hi ((((((((onmyway))))))))))) I'm really sorry you're dealing with this new issue. I can definitely see how it could happen. I'm not afraid of going out, but that's mainly because I've had some really bad panic attacks at home, so in that sense, I don't necessarily feel any safer at home. I guess the upside of that is that it makes it easier for me to go out!

Having said that though, I do feel anxious about going too far away from home. It's like I have this radius or "comfort zone" and I don't like traveling beyond that.

I think it's a great idea to call your T and get her input. I also think it's really important to try and keep going out, in spite of your fears (but, truly, I know how hard this is). It's just that in my own experience, I have seen that once I start avoiding certain things that make me anxious it's a slippery slope. At first it feels good to avoid the anxiety-provoking situation, but then I realize how small my world is becoming. I wish I had pushed myself more back when I started avoiding things. Now it's doubly hard for me to get back up in the saddle, so to speak.

Anxiety is insidious!!!!

Good luck at your appointment today. Let us know how it goes ((((((((((onmyway)))))))))))))

My mom was that way many years ago. She was agoraphobic. Ask your doctor about this,it could be the problem.
Take care,best wishes,
Kittie06

Hi onmyway. I have been the same lately. For me though.. I find that my house is my safety net. Even though i do have panic attacks at home. I would rather have one at home than out in public. Is it possible for someone to go with you? My mu is very much like that. where's she can't do the food shop unless I am there with her now. Or catch the bus. Anything really with someone being with her... I do hope u overcome this

onmyway, how did this turn out? What did your therapist have to say?

Cyran0

Thank you sundog. I definitely appreciate that avoiding triggers compounds the problem, but i cannot even say that right now, not going outside makes me feel good, because it doesn't. I still feel like crap and it depresses me that i seem unable to go outside, then my self esteem plummets.. so it's a lose-lose situation all round! I did go for one walk yesterday just in my neighborhood and it was horrible, i could hardly breathe the whole time, my fingernails were digging into my clenched hands, and i was scared to look up. My therapist wanted me to do it again, i made it as far as opening the door and saying, 'um, nope.' I'm going to try for a walk today, and depending on how that feels, i may go buy some groceries. We'll see.

And for the record, i never did make it to the psychologists office yesterday.

Thank you kittie06, that is what i am afraid is happening, unfortunately. I did realize yesterday thought that this started approximately one week ago.. and that is when they upped my dose of epival.. i found that interesting and wonder if that's the culprit?

Ambrosa, depending on how my walk goes today, i may feel brave enough to buy groceries, but if i do, i am thinking of calling a friend to come with me. I was going to yesterday but i didn't even think i could do it WITH someone! How sad is that?!

Cyran0, like i mentioned i didn't make it to the psychologists office, but i did call and talk to my therapist and she gave me ideas, told me to do yoga, then meditate and use the rock she gave me to ground myself, deep breathing, then go for another walk and just pay attention to all the surroundings; essentially, get out of my own head. She also told me about the 'butterfly hook' which i've never heard of but basically you put your right hand on upper left arm and visa versa, then as you focus on your breathing you gently tap each arm alternatively. She says the rythym, the hugging motion, and the deep breathing has a calming effect. I still couldn't make it outside again, i figured once was enough!

That's interesting, I'll have to remember to try that.

I hope today is going better. I'll be thinking of you!

Cyran0

(((((((((onmyway))))))))

I'm really sorry you didn't make it to see your psychologist yesterday, but it's great you were able to speak with her on the phone. The butterfly hook technique sounds very cool. I'm going to give that a try! What kind of rock did she give you? Is it like a "worry stone" type thing that you hold in the palm of your hand and squeeze on? Things like that can definitely be helpful.

That's interesting you're seeing a connection between upping the Elavil and developing this fear of going outside. That definitely sounds like something important to explore further. Can you ask your pdoc about that??

I hope today is a better one (((((((((((onmyway))))))))))))))

sundog, i suppose it would be like a worry stone, although i'm not a hundred percent sure what that is? She gave it to me for 'grounding' myself when i become dissociative, but said it can be used for calming, too. It's smooth and pink and pretty and came in a white pull-tie carrying case. And yeah, i didn't try the butterfly hook yesterday, as yoga brought me down a bit, but i think i need to do it right.. about... now... !!!! (just woke up crying from a nap and had the most horrible, vivid dream ever that still has me shaking and upset). Yes, the epival increase-connection is interesting. I will give it a few more days to see if this is just an 'initial' side effect that dissipates on it's own (and TMI my period is due soon so i want to see if this could also be related to that, either. )

Thank you Cyran0 for the support. I keep thinking of you too and hoping things start looking up soon for you!

That always effects me too

I'm not sure I remember but I think I did...just go out anyway. The worst I experienced was some dissociation and agrophobia...

Yes i have this. Its not as bad as it was..I would have fear of going places.. I couldnt make myself get in the car and go.I'd be very paranoid and feel anxiety and panic inside....The Dr.increased my anxiety medicine and it slowly started going away...

(((((Onmyway)))))), I'm sorry that you're having this difficulty. I avoid going out a lot. I often attribute it to depression, but social anxiety plays a big part with me. It sounds like it could well be medication-related for you, since the behavior sounds like an abrupt change. Whatever the etiology, I'm sure it's still miserable going through it. I hope that it lifts soon. I'm kicking myself this evening because I couldn't get myself to join a friend at a dance (which in fairness to myself is one of the more stressful activities for a depressed and socially anxious person). I even feel shy and withdrawn here at PC a lot of the time. I remember my brief occasional sojourns to "normalcy", so it really stings to live like this.

Onmyway, how was the weekend? Hope you were able to get out.

I have this happen, and I use CBT type techniques to help. It works for me because my fears are related to being seen, making mistakes, and being exposed. It took awhile to figure out what I was actually afraid of--at first I just knew I didn't like it out there and I got scared. I use affirmations and try to figure out what my worries are; once I trace them, they have less power over my actions.

I'm not sure if that would help if you are having anxiety that isn't really attached to ideas. Using a person or object to help you feel more safe is a good step. If it's hard to do it even with someone there, you can try visualizing going out as an in-between step.

I'm glad you were able to talk to your therapist for support. Keep us posted!

How's everything been going onmyway?

I've been thinking of you too ((((((((onmyway)))))))) and really hope to hear from you soon

Just wanted to post and say that you are not alone. I've had this problem for many years, to the point where I stopped leaving my house because I couldn't go anywhere without having a panic attack. I finally got help and my pdoc put me on anxiety medication and I started therapy, and now I almost never have anxiety going out in public. I really hope things get better for you and that you can talk to your T about this to help you get through it.

Sorry, computer crash, i wasn't ignoring ya'll. The good news is, this is still a minor problem, but just that; nothing i can't handle.

Heretoday, a big part of my problem, as i not only have anxiety/depression, but also OCD, borderline personality disorder, PTSD and whatever else, is that i MAY very well dissociate in this situation.. which in light of recent events (ie: hallucinations, paranoia, extended periods of derealization and dissociation), i do NOT want to put myself into a situation where dissociating is my 'coping' mechanism.. as then we are playing in a whole new ball park, one that is much more concerning. I did however, TRY to go out for walks or further if i could, some days it just wasn't possible.

Sunshine1992, i am on quite a bit of anxiolitic medication, different kinds. That's why this is so weird that i couldn't get past this!

lavieenrose, actually, it's funny you should mention this because i now believe it was medication related. I tried and tried to think of WHY i felt this way.. and nothing came to mind. But then it hit me that it started right around the exact time they increased my epival. I do sometimes avoid going out for depression reasons but this was full out panic OMG CANT go out, even if i want to! So i definitely know it wasn't depression related.

Thank you for asking about the weekend, i did get out it was hard but not insurmountable. Like i mentioned above though i do think it was med related. I am getting a lot better using CBT in other situations though!

Thanks for asking. Things are up and down but i think overall they are trending in the right direction.

Thank you sundog you're so sweet.

Thanks Dani. Even though it's much more under control, i see my psychologist on monday and will talk to her about coping techniques.

onmyway, so glad to hear things are moving in a positive direction. That's awesome!

Great to hear from you and even better to hear that things are going so much better! Hooray!!!