[Have Faith]

I was agoraphobic for three years, it took me awhile to be able to leave my room. Two years later, still in intensive therapy, I'm still having terrible anxiety in my house. There's no relief! I can barely cook and clean. Anyone else out there suffering to this extent?

I feel anxious in my apartment sometimes because of things like thinking about health, jobs, my future ... etc. In the outside, I have anxiety of crowded places like the subway platform, malls, clinics, ... etc. But there is nothing in my apartment that causes me anxiety, I think. Why do you feel anxious in your house?

[*Laurie*]

Hi, Are you on medication?

It would be helpful to now what kind of thoughts are behind the agoraphobia. Catastrophic Thinking? Paranoia? etc.

[BlueberryDonut]

I had extreme anxiety when I lived in a big house--it has calmed down when we moved into an apartment that was smaller. How big is your apartment? Do you live alone? Do you have any pets? My main problems in the big house was I was super paranoid that spirits were watching me and when it was dark, I wouldn't leave my room, even if I had to go to the bathroom cause I was convinced there was something in the dark or someone broke in and was going to kill me. If I did manage to talk myself into leaving my room in the middle of the night, I would sprint to my destination and double check the locks. It has calmed down now, but I have a big fear of leaving my apartment and if I am alone, I don't feel inclined to leave my room unless my dog is with me.

[BlueberryDonut]

I know how you feel. When I was in a big house, I was terribly anxious and convinced there were spirits watching me. I wouldn't leave my room in the dark, even if my family was home and I had to go to the bathroom, cause I was convinced something was going to come out from the dark and kill me. When I did manage to pep talk myself into going out of my room in the dark or if I was alone, I sprinted to my destination and would double to triple check the locks. Having a dog has calmed my down a lot, and we also moved into a smaller space in our apartment. If I am left alone, I lock myself in my room and will only journey out if my dog follows.

Do you live alone? Do you have any pets that could follow you around the house to encourage you to travel in the house?

My suggestion would be to try to start leaving your room when there's daylight so the dark doesn't scare you. Do a little bit at a time.

What frightens you when you leave your room?

[RainyDay107]

I also experienced paranoia when I lived in a big house. I have bipolar 1 with psychosis and I thought an evil man was as hiding in my home. To harm me. Fortunately, meds helped. I also have anxiety disorders that exacerbate things.

I've experienced some agoraphobic symptoms, perhaps like OP. I stay in my bedroom a lot, under times of stress. I tend to isolate even from family members. I need the solitude and lack of stimulation. I have had success with meds, but I still struggle. I'm a homebody but I get to my pdoc appts. I haven't been to a shopping mall in years.

OP, hugs to you. Do you always isolate in your room or are you usually OK with other areas of your home? xo

[Have Faith]

I am on meds for bipolar and anxiety... Maybe there is nothing to interest me enough to take my mind off of my problems...also, I have so many chores I need to catch up on that I haven't been able to keep up with due to my anxiety...I am also afraid of death and spirits, ghosts...doesn't help that I used to be obsessed with morbid thoughts, disturbing images...I have a dog which helps...

[Unrigged64072835]

I used to hide in my bedroom when I was really panicking. I still don't leave my house without my husband. I guess doing small bits of chores and having pets helps a bit. I have "safe places" where I can be by myself but I'm still really nervous about being out by myself.

I have a lot of bad memories about this house. I bought it to please my ex-fiance and he abused both me and my daughter until I had him evicted in 2009. Once my daughter leaves here (probably after college and getting a job) we're sprucing it up and putting it on the market. In the meantime, we'll be doing things to create some good memories.

[Sunflower123]

I had agoraphobia for years and not only wouldn't leave the house but was only comfortable in 2 rooms in the house. I gradually came out of it without help. I hope you get help and feel better soon.