[Tonnieg]

I have severe panic attacks and anxiety. I literally would hide in my house the rest of my life it I could. I dont know how to ease the anxiety I feel when I step outside. I am on medications to help me with this but its still so scary. Any advice from anyone else feeling this way?

[lancetrot]

Hi
How long can you hide in your home? Think about this question. Will it be a permanent solution to you. Medicine can only reduce the symptoms and keep you under control for a short period. It will not solve your issue from its root.
Why do you hide in your house?
It seems you are low in self esteem and self confidence. find your ways to develop these two. The best solution is confronting the reality which scars you and puts you under panic attack step by step.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by Tonnieg

I have severe panic attacks and anxiety. I literally would hide in my house the rest of my life it I could. I dont know how to ease the anxiety I feel when I step outside. I am on medications to help me with this but its still so scary. Any advice from anyone else feeling this way?

I can relate I was diagnosed with cPTSD a few months ago. Among other things, I struggle with agoraphobia, panic and anxiety attacks, as well. I also felt as if I could hide in my house forever (if it were possible) -and I did for 7 months I was forced to get out of the house by taking a new job - and it was soooo hard. I was terrified at first, but I had to go to work, so I had to face all of my fears more.

Looking back on it, being alone, hiding out at home, sleeping, not speaking with my T on a regular basis, delayed reducing the panic, anxiety, etc. Also, I didn't have any support or anyone I could speak with IRL, so I was literally alone in all of it.

Do you have a P/T that you visit with? Just speaking from my own experience, medication helps a lot for the horrible (painful) symptoms; however, talking with my T/P on a regular basis is a really important part for my recovery / wellness. I don't think I would have been able to come as far as I have without my T. and PC

I wish you all the very best and hope that you will be able to speak with your T about these matters so they can help you. I understand how difficult it is to face all the fears alone. It does make you want to stay in the house forever (despite taking the medication). ((hugs))

[Nammu]

I find your question is causing me to think. I have often wished I had lots of money, then I would set myself up like jody foster in that movie where all her needs were met and she never had to leave her house. I have no desire to force myself to leave. I have to because I do not have the money to stay home. So I guess my question is if you want to force yourself, why? Because you think you ought to, or because you need to?

Set up short goals, go get the mail if it is not delevered to the door. or walk to the end of the driveway. Some people get dogs-dogs need to be walked, but make sure you are able to do that and start with a low energy dog that takes less walking. Break your food shopping into many small trips so that you leave the house more days than usual, that way leaving feels more normal than staying home. Look for all the coffee shops in your area and vist one every day. Find all the artstores/museums and go to one everyday. Be a tourist in your area, find one place to vist everyday--anything so that the act of leaving is more normal than staying home-get up at the same time-get dressed and leave t the same time for any of those places or some place you think of.

[candidog]

Hi Tonnieg,

Welcome to PC first of all and welcome to my world second. I have lived with debilitating Panic Attack everyday for the past 2 years, sometime 2 or 3 a day. They would make me so weak that I could not move, almost like being paralyzed. It is hard to go out in the world with the fear of everything hurting you. Not trusting anyone!
With the right medication and a Service Dog I have been freed from my home finally. My Service Dog is my freedom. She makes me feel safe and she signals me when I am going into a Panic Attack so I can get to a safe place until it passes. Now I don't have to worry about strangers taking care of me in the Mall or Restaurant. I cried for 5 months and would not talk to anyone until I found the right doctor and the right medication. Not to mention the right level of medication is so important. You will find what you need eventually. I have Complex Postramatic Stress Disorder, Dissociative Amnesia, and Severe Panic Attacks from two tramatic events in a row. I do understand your pain and hope that we can help each other carry on. One day at a time is all I can do.
Keep your chin up it is possible to get out of your house.

Originally Posted by sidestepper

I find your question is causing me to think. I have often wished I had lots of money, then I would set myself up like jody foster in that movie where all her needs were met and she never had to leave her house. I have no desire to force myself to leave. I have to because I do not have the money to stay home. So I guess my question is if you want to force yourself, why? Because you think you ought to, or because you need to?

((((Sidestepper)))), I like that question...forcing oneself because of want vs. need. shoulding?

For me, I had absolutely no desire to get out (for a million reasons, mostly fear). But being inside was no picnic, either. Especially because I had absolutely NO ONE IRL. I cut myself off (isolated) from everyone. And I felt useless (no productivity at all). So the depression got worse and worse. It truly is a wacky cycle.

I was offered my current job, took the position and then I HAD to get out of the house (because I had to take a job to survive). Cold Turkey. That was no picnic, either. I felt like the biggest social dork on the planet.

And T began (the pain was too great to bear alone and to keep my job I had to get some support IRL)

[pegasus]

Tonnieg, this is going to sound odd, but worth trying. Just before going out, shout and scream, "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!" So you are telling the world (and the anxiety) that nobody can stop you going outside! Once you get outside, make it short but then make sure you reward yourself in some way. Have a go and let me know how you get on.