Setback

Agoraphobia bad past 2 days haven't gone out at all, disappointingly not even for my much enjoyed nature walks. Sitting by window at kitchen table and watching all of the activity since its really nice out, tons of people cooking out and swimming, way more people than I can presently handle being around, garbage bag sitting by door waiting to be taken out a 2 minute task & I just can't do it and It occurred to me I want to hide, fear being seen even, but have no clue why. HUGS. Kristen

You are awesome for not giving up. Don't let the setbacks get you down.

TY so much Aryeh, Garbage is out and I walked to mail box, less than what I typically do daily which is four 20 minute walks ,but I figure it's a start. Thanks again for the support.

After months as a member of PC, this is the first time I have done a search with the keyword, agoraphobia. I really don't think that is something I ever had. But this fear of leaving my apartment is taking on a life of its own. I am depressed and that does tend to reduce my interest in doing anything. But, lately, this is different.

kmbpeace: if you have an actual diagnosis of agoraphobia, can you tell me if it's something that can come on you after not having had it in the past. Are the roots of this in childhood, or in some trauma.

What you've said about getting the trash out, or not, is just what I've been going though. Now that the sun's gone down, I think I can get the trash barrel in off the street curb and take in my mail. All day, those 2 tasks were too overwhelming to tackle. My neighbors are on cordial terms with me. However, they do know I have issues with depression and isolation. After days of holing up inside, I am embarrassed to pop my head out. I know neighbors see the trash barrel out, or the bird feeder empty, and they say "She's in one of her funks." They have told me that. I feel I have not as much privacy as I want.

I say this is new. My mother used to tell me that I was like this as a toddler . . . wouldn't go out to play readily.

When I feel good, I can talk to everybody just fine. Then I get afraid of people and want to hide. Sometimes I think I'ld like to wear a burka.

Your plan of 4 times out for 20 minutes seems like a good idea . . . to have a structured goal, even if you don't always meet it.

Well done for getting out today ((((((Kristen))))))