[JimWriter]

My wife has been struggling with agoraphobia for many years.. She is now house bound and she cannot leave for any reason. We live close to some really nice restaurants, but we can't make our way to any of them.
She's a brilliant, compassionate person who cares for others, including her mother and sister, who, with her 4 kids, has been living with us for 3.5 years after a bad home situation.
Nowadays, my wife's anxiety has forced her to demand that her sister and niece stay here at the house to help her from having a panic attack. She works with a T who comes to the house once a week.
Today was awful. The 20 year old niece didn't want to stay in the house all day. that's natural for a person, no matter the age, to want to get out with her friends.
my wife got upset and my niece started to cry. it's sad, but I'm looking for some advice, or just support.

[lavendersteph]

i was like that when i was struggling with my agoraphobia i would beg my mother not to go to work or try and convince my brother to skip school because i was afraid to be alone i was constanly afraid of dying or having a stroke which is unlikly because i'm only 25 but my p doc put me on 1mg of klonipin and 20 mg of lexapro for depression and it helped the situation alot

[AAAAA]

(((((Jim Writer & Family))))) You’re whole family has my complete sympathy. The medications have helped me a great deal, but I really know how your wife feels. I know the illogical but very real fear of anything and everything very well. I try so hard to keep things in check, I fight to keep it from affecting my kids. My daughter is a psych major in college so she understands a bit of what I’m going through, on the other hand she’s only 18 and can forget to call. I know it doesn’t make any sense, but if she doesn’t call when she’s supposed to I KNOW she’s dead in a ditch somewhere.

I know my family has a hard time understanding my fears. I know that staying home all the time is just as foreign to them as just getting in the car to go for no reason is to me.

[BalishBun]

You know for awhile I was the same thing about being alone, I didn't stay in the house all the time, but the thing was i did not want to be at the house if it was going to be just me. On my way home from work I would call the house just to make sure someone was there, and if they were not, then I would go to where there were people.

[JimWriter]

Thank you everyone for your words of wisdom and support. On Sunday, my wife's T will make a special visit to help her. My wife knows that this period of her life is hard on her, as well as on the family members.
Today was a lot better day than Friday. At least for my wife and me. I did yard work and got into the pool, which distracts me from my problems.

[Opeth]

Jim: Sorry to hear what your family is going through. I have been there too - housebound with agoraphobia.

Just keep the faith that it won't always be that way. She will find the right answer whether its medicine, cognitive help, or whatever. Once she's feeling better she will gain the confidence to be able to slowly expand her 'comfort zone' and get back out of the house.

I know this is possible because I was able to do it and theres nothing special or different about me. Hang in there bud!

[DePressMe]

JimWriter, I am sorry you are struggling with this. You are doing the right thing--taking care of yourself and getting support. My mom and I both struggle with agoraphobia. We are a little different--we also want to be alone. For me, I feel the safest when I am alone in my kitchen. Take heart, it can get better. I have come a long way in the last few years, especially the last year. Therapy and meds have helped a great deal. Before, I had periods where I found it difficult to go to the mailbox and would have to miss work. Now, I am going to work on a regular basis and even going to some social events. It is still stressful to be out in the world, but I am handling the stress fairly well. I tell you this because I want you to know it can get better. It is a tough battle...I feel for you and I hope things improve. Keep reaching out and sharing. We are here to listen...