[kkrrhh]

Hi! I most likely have bipolar 2, still not entirely sure, but definitely seem to have bad luck with most antidepressants like many with bipolar do, so thought I'd post this here to see if anyone had any input.

I've pretty much always struggled with some sort of agoraphobia for most of my life. It's not usually quite full blown panic attacks, but still agoraphobic type symptoms. I think, for me, it tends to be from severe social anxiety and a bit from depression, and possibly from some sort of sensory overload from possible mild autism/ADHD? (diagnosis is still undecided) Just always feel overwhelmed in some way out in the world, pretty much.

The main thing that's ever helped a lot with this is lamictal. I've realized, though, that half of why lamictal helps with this and other things is by making me not care much, and I just really want to find something else, if possible. It's also like lamictal helps with dissociation in one way, but makes it worse in another way for me... which is definitely a problem when it comes to the agoraphobia.

Has anyone ever found any med that helps a lot with agoraphobia or this type of issue, without triggering mania/worsening anxiety? I've tried most antidepressants, and benzos and sedating meds seem to only help me by taking the edge off of anxiety if I'm at home and relaxed... in public they tend to make me feel worse because I feel too out of it, and if my depression's bad they can make it worse.

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

[Shazerac]

Hmmm...my thought is that you should definately get an actual diagnosis. Playing around with meds without a diagnosis causes....well look at what you're going through now. That pretty much sums it up.

Therapy can also help with phobias. There's not a magic pill for that although meds can help while you are working through your fears.

[99fairies]

I'm on lamictal as well. I only leave my house for pdoc visits and my husband always comes with me cuz I am so scared of driving. So I'm at home a lot, it's my safe place.

[Guiness187055]

The only thing that helps me with agorophobia are benzo's

[WildcatVet]

The only way I've been able to go out...and especially drive...is when I'm taking buspirone for my anxiety. Being BP II I can't take any antidepressant without going fully manic and I wouldn't touch a benzo with a 20ft pole.

Medications or medications alone don't always fix everything. I think a good therapist that focuses on phobias or specifically agoraphobia would be particularly helpful

[kkrrhh]

Thank you all for the replies!

I've been to pdocs for diagnosis, it's just kind of been up in the air due to not finding a thorough doc/going through trial and error. I've definitely had recurrent depressions for a long time, but I think only med-induced hypomania, and then am not sure whether at certain times I've experienced mixed states or just depression and worsened anxiety. Also not sure what could be ADHD mood issues mixing into the whole thing, and still trying to pick it all apart to figure it out. Fun stuff. :P

Thanks again!

[oddist121]

Originally Posted by kkrrhh

Hi! I most likely have bipolar 2, still not entirely sure, but definitely seem to have bad luck with most antidepressants like many with bipolar do, so thought I'd post this here to see if anyone had any input.


I've pretty much always struggled with some sort of agoraphobia for most of my life. It's not usually quite full blown panic attacks, but still agoraphobic type symptoms. I think, for me, it tends to be from severe social anxiety and a bit from depression, and possibly from some sort of sensory overload from possible mild autism/ADHD? (diagnosis is still undecided) Just always feel overwhelmed in some way out in the world, pretty much.


The main thing that's ever helped a lot with this is lamictal. I've realized, though, that half of why lamictal helps with this and other things is by making me not care much, and I just really want to find something else, if possible. It's also like lamictal helps with dissociation in one way, but makes it worse in another way for me... which is definitely a problem when it comes to the agoraphobia.



Has anyone ever found any med that helps a lot with agoraphobia or this type of issue, without triggering mania/worsening anxiety? I've tried most antidepressants, and benzos and sedating meds seem to only help me by taking the edge off of anxiety if I'm at home and relaxed... in public they tend to make me feel worse because I feel too out of it, and if my depression's bad they can make it worse.


Does anyone have any advice? Thanks!

I have been diagnosed with bipolar 2, begging my doctor to put me on lamictal, instead I have been through 5 antidepressants and 2 aTypical antiphycotics, next will be lamictal, in my opinion, I would not try anti phycotics as they can be extremely sedating, way more than a benzo. And you will sleep for 10-15 hours a night and wake up begging to have it be bedtime again. :/ can you exchange any good reactions you have had with lamictal and anxiety ?

I’ve had agoraphobia pretty much my entire life too. I thought I’d only had it periodically but the reality is I had it all the time with brief periods of hypomania lessening the worries. So much of my life has been inside. I’ve yet to have a med work without it working “too well” and causing bizarre behaviors. Alcohol worked but we all know that isn’t a reasonable solution . I think therapy is the only answer. Exposure therapy didn’t work for me either......it did nothing except give me more reasons. I’m pretty sure I will die with it as it’s just too far ingrained for me. I can sympathize and I hope you can conquer this. Please share if you do. Many do recover so it’s very possible for you and perhaps even me. (((Hugs)))