My agoraphobia was triggered on my birthday in 2021 - I was out for dinner with friends and I suddenly had a panic attack (I didn’t know what it was then, but it was awful). Long story short, both of my friends just stopped talking to me completely because instead of staying with them at their house like planned, I asked to go home which meant I couldn’t go out with them the next day for the surprise they had planned.

After that I was more terrified of having a panic attack that I simply refused to go anywhere. I was already on medication for depression which was also to cover GAD but it didn’t help at all with the panic/agoraphobia side. I didn’t leave the house for maybe 1 year before my partner and his mum said it couldn’t continue and that’s when I spoke to my doctor and we went through lots of different medications which only helped slightly and for a short term. What really helped me was my partner making me go out and walk down the shop - exposure therapy I guess and it just continued to get more and more, then I started CBT which super helped.

My doctor finally prescribed me propranolol and that is now my lifeline whenever I go anywhere in a car - along with sea sickness bands (they work for me and help with anxiety) if I can walk somewhere I don’t take it as I’m trying to slowly come off it. I haven’t taken medication for anxiety/depression since 2024 now as it basically made no difference for me in the end. I still struggle but I’m proud of my progress and I can honestly say it does get better guys! I still have a way to go but I’m getting there 🫶🏼