i have to force my self to work everyday i go.my hobbies used to be going to the gym and shoping at the mall now i would rather stay home.i hope you get well soon.you are strong you can do it. gina

There are plenty of times when I wish I could just stay home and never leave again. Like today. I have to visit our grandma and go to my mom's. I really don't want to and it makes me nervous. But in times like these, I just force myself to go. I really do. I missed out on a lot a few months ago and I am sick of it. I just make myself go and normally end up have a good time. As soon as I get going, I am fine. Sounds like strange therapy to force yourself to go out even though you don't want to but it does work for me and it gets easier every time!

Hi Melodie, I haven't got to the point yet where I can't leave the house, but there were many times that I didn't want to, I actually had to make myself, at those points in my life, it would have been much easier not to leave the house. From my experience, the longer you wait, the harder it gets. I agree, take small steps, but take a step, you can do this, don't let the panic beat you. I can so relate to the feeling of dying, I have had that feeling so much over the years, I couldn't begin to count the times. I am trying lately to remind myself, if I'm not living my life to the fullest that I can, I'm not living anyway. Just remember, you will not die, the panic will not hurt you, even though it feels like you will die from it, you won't. Just start slow, exposure is the only sure way I have ever heard and experienced for myself, that will work. You have to desensitize yourself from the fear of leaving your home. Each time you do and realize that you were fine, nothing happened, you didn't die, it will get easier for you. Try not to think the "What if's" they are horrible and can literally criple you. Practice breathing relaxation excerizes, get a relaxation CD, learn breathing coping techniques, try to slow down your thinking and look at all the things you are telling yourself, and challenge the negative internal dialogue, think about the good things, you children, husband, how nice it will be, being able to go out and do things again and enjoy your life. I have anxiety and depression also, I'm scared to take meds. I literally have to make myself do things that I don't want to, no matter how high my anxiety is. It's human nature that people seek pleasure and avoid pain. And to me fear is pain, but we can get past it. Just hang in there, take it slow one day at a time and before you know it you will be out and about again. It will be scarey at first and your anxiety may be high, but just remember it will not hurt you. Try to relax your mind. I remember reading a saying that "An anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body" that has helped me many times thinking about that and trying to practice it. I read a book a while back, which I had forgotten about, when my anxiety got sky high again I found the book and read some of it agai

Dear Melodie, I understand perfectly what you are going through, I cannot go out during the day much, but at night I can, isn't that strange? Perhaps I feel safer at night which does not make sense! I started when I was severely agorophobic by walking up and down the driveway or sitting in the backyard, I could see the door and knew I could go right back in, then I would walk around the block or just to the corner and turn around, I would have my husband drive me around the neighborhood, and I knew I was 2 minutes away and can always go back, just get out a little each day even if its just 50 feet from the door, I would take my cross with me and hold it for strength, this will pass believe me and you will get better, I am praying for you, I have had 2 pretty good days, I stopped drinking 5 cups of coffee for the past 2 days, just one and noticed even through I have anxiety I did not go into a shaking panic. Happy Mothers Day Melodie, I will pray its a good one for you. Debbie.

Hi Melodie I can relate to you. I also suffer from panic attacks and I hate that it robs us of the freedom to go about our lives. The best thing to do is go out even if its a little bit each day . Take small little steps and try to relax and see if it helps little by little. I do have to go to work but do not run around like I used to.It really gets you down but we can only do the best we can. Are you taking any meds? See a doctor? I take xanax but very little (some days I try not to take much).It takes the edge off but sometimes doesn't work as well.This is such a crippling illness and some people don't understand it. They will say get yourself together snap out of it. If only it was that simple. I hope you can find your way and hope we can all stop this dreadful illness!Keep your head up. All the best Karen

Well today marks my 40th day home. I am terrified everytime I try to leave. Will I ever leave my home again? I am tired of panic attacks, depression, and boredom. I have a husband and 3 sons and my life is passing by while I sit in my house and gain weight.... How do you get to the point where you can face the world again without thinking you are going to die?? What led me to this point?? I feel very overwhelmed tonight with wanting to know the answers but not able to find them. :quest: