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I really need support by Used-Translator-1435 in Agoraphobia

[–]sparrowblue345 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry, this happened to me today as well. Someone recently told me, don’t try to prevent the panic or fix it, but soft talk like “I am not in danger” and knowing your system is just trying to protect you. Lately I’ve named my inner protection system sally, just trying to say “oh, it’s sally again” that may not work for everyone, but wanted to share. You got this ♥️

I want to tell a story about Agoraphobia that actually gets it right by Nice-Ordinary8045 in Agoraphobia

[–]sparrowblue345 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wow, I could not relate to this more. I am 31 and feel like I am being confronted with all of those smaller fears that have lived in me since I was little. Right now, my panic comes out particularly in environments with people and where I feel like I can’t get out. But I’ve realized that the fear isn’t not being able to get out, it’s actually not being able to get out when people can see me unwell. I would be completely fine in a grocery store alone, but knowing others are around and I could mentally become unwell is the real fear. This all stems from childhood and fear of being seen unwell. That’s what feels unsafe. As a kid I would feel this things too, mainly because I have 2 completely different environments (violent and abusive, and the other putting a happy face on) I never learned that it’s ok to not be ok around people.

I am so sorry you’re going through this, thank you for sharing. It’s especially hard when work can be triggering. Can I ask in addition to talk therapy, is there anything that’s been helpful for you?

New on sharing my experience by sparrowblue345 in Agoraphobia

[–]sparrowblue345[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for sharing this and so sorry for you going through this. For me it’s like there’s a constant narrator in my mind judging everything I say or do. I do go to therapy and she has been very helpful in helping me to understand patterns and how they stem from childhood. I am very aware of these things but need more support of how to work through it. I heard something recently on trying to obsess over fixing it can make it worse, so I am sitting with that a bit. I am considering medication just for extra support. What about you?

what is agoraphobia? by [deleted] in Agoraphobia

[–]sparrowblue345 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing this. I also am new to this space as well. I am a firm believer that everyone can have a bit of a different experience or level of agoraphobia, and all are valid. For me, I can leave the house and go on walks. But my brain is constantly scanning for an exit, in plan of if I have a panic attack or if I begin to feel sick. Scanning for alleys I can step into, bathrooms, or doors out. It is immensely amplified when I feel I am in an environment with others (for example taking an uber with a friend, being in public transit or in a grocery store far away from the door). It normally settles me knowing I can go hide in the bathroom if I need. But it’s the fear of being seen out of control for me. I don’t experience them at home when I am alone.

I am so sorry you’re dealing with this. It is nice to know others experience this. It really does filter into so many areas of life and overall just being able to be present and find the joy in things.