What Agoraphobia REALLY is, and how to overcome it
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- čas přidán 17. 06. 2024
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In this video we’re going to talk about agoraphobia, some common misconceptions, and what kind of treatment works. By the end of the video you’ll learn 5 steps to overcoming agoraphobia, and you’ll hear from someone who did it.
A lot of people think that agoraphobia is fear of leaving the house, or fear of bridges or crowded places - and at first glance, that’s what it looks like. People with agoraphobia either avoid going to these places or they still go out, but the whole time they’re full of anxiety, terrified but forcing themselves to get out.
But here’s the thing, the more I listen to the experiences of people with agoraphobia, it’s not the places that scare them, it’s not the mall or the bridge or the elevator. Drew Linsalata, former agoraphobia sufferer and host of The Anxious Truth podcast said “You’re not afraid of the outdoors or the highway, you’re afraid of what will happen when you are there. You’re afraid of how you might feel when you go into those places.”
They are afraid they will have a panic attack
They’re afraid they’ll have anxious feelings, pass out, and they won't be able to deal with that.
They’re afraid they’ll vomit or soil themselves, and they won’t be able to manage the embarrassment.
They’re afraid that a panic or anxiety attack is actually a medical emergency, and if they aren’t with someone who will keep them safe, they won’t be able to handle it.
Agoraphobia is intense fear of becoming overwhelmed, anxious, or having physical sensations and not being able to escape or get help.
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Proud to be 1 in 5 million. Does Agoraphobia suck? It sure does. But I've never loved and been kind to myself as much as I do now. "You cannot shame yourself into change. You can only love yourself into evolution"
🥰🌷💫🌷💫🌷🙏
Thanks for that.
Thank you for that quote. It brings new hope for me to find the motivation to push through my personal struggles and "evolve" into the independent and self sufficient human being I long to be 👍😉
Every video makes me feel less alone and weird, best therapist I’ve ever listened to.
You're not alone!!
Panic attacks started when I was 10, 2 years later I developed agoraphobia... during those first 5 years I had no idea what is going on and didn't even know the name of my problem. My worst period was when I was 29 and 14 months I wasn't able to go from my room to living room, I remember I cried when I had to go to bathroom. I'm 51 now and last 8 years I've made a huge progress - I go out every day, enjoy my walk, coffee, hanging with my friends 😊 I can even travel some short distance alone. If anyone who will read this comment feels similar like I did I want to encourage you to keep trying, expose yourself to that fear and, trust me, you will be much better ❤ Believe in yourself, find small things that make you happy, be grateful and love yourself 🥰
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you for sharing this. I am very proud of you for this progress you have made. Well done 👏
@@gamer-8955 🍀❤️
I literally gave up my driver's license voluntarily because I felt too anxious when I dove. I haven't had a license since I was 24 years old. I honestly felt as though I couldnt control myself behind the wheel . I felt dangerous and out of control. Thank you for this video! I now understand more. I am a 35 year old, married woman with a child and working towards getting my license back.
Honestly, I’m so glad I came across your comment. I’m 21 years old and I haven’t been able to get my license because of this EXACT reason. Everyone around me kept saying I’d get over it but I never did and I’m glad I understand why and know I’m not alone 😭
Ooof. I'm 30 and that's me. My hubs has been trying to get me to drive for awhile now but like 5 minutes behind the wheel and I'm panicking. I finally got my permit a few years ago and I thought I was going to throw up just taking the test lol.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thanks for your Amazing Inspiring Lesson, I'm getting mine too.
It's quite refreshing to hear that I am not the only one who struggles with the anxiety and feelings of loss of control while driving. I have not gone so far as to give up my driving licence as I chose to work in the motor trade, which requires you drive. I am so very pleased to hear you are making progress. Well done 😉👍👏
I remember I had this when things got bad for me… now it’s like I don’t want to be home 😅 so whoever is going through this! You CAN overcome this! 🙂
Funny timing. I just got home from getting my haircut. The 2 women who work at the barber shop are very friendly and I’ve been going there for 24 years. But, as usual, it took me days to finally get up the nerve to get there. I get so uncomfortable thinking about being there and sitting in the small waiting area with strangers. Thank God when I got there I was the only customer.
I feel you. You did great! I am proud of you.
That's your survival brain protecting you even when you don't need it. It often works outside of reality. The defence mechanisms switch on "just in case ".
All the things you fear will happen when you throw yourself into these situations, do these things ever happen? No. Like this video the only way through this is to throw yourself into the "danger" zone more and more until your brain realises it actually isn't dangerous then gets easier and easier.
I swear getting a haircut has turned into one of my last triggers. I used to feel so relaxed after haircuts that I could take a nap, too.
Learn the Claire Weekes method
@@SunnyBoyy448 yes, or the Dare method, or the Anxious truth method, they all have a grounding in Claire Weekes' methodology; face your fear dead on, don't flee, and sit with the discomfort until your brain and nervous system recognises there's nothing to be fearful/panicked about.
Thank you for making this video. I've struggled with agoraphobia for over 25yrs. I was raped at 19yrs old and the agoraphobia started at 20. It was so bad I couldn't leave my house in my 20's. I'm 45 and I work but bridges and the beltway has been my struggle for 20 yrs. I just want to be free from this mess. I just told my co worker I'm going to find a therapist to get out of this cycle. My coworker suffers from agoraphobia as well.
agoraphobia 42 years on and off but I'm fighting back again and using these methods
❤
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Learn the Claire Weekes method
The struggles will always be there, but what is important is that you never give up. And it seems you are still fighting back, so well done
My agoraphobia is about people hurting me and me not being able to stop them. Be it through humiliating me, bullying or literally stalking me and acting like a predator. I don't feel that fear when someone else is with me because nobody has done those things to me when I'm with someone.
oh my god, you took the words out of my mouth! i actually start to feel OVERconfident when i'm with other people. like i'd be the one to ask for the manager or start a conversation with a stranger. but my body acts like i'm actively DYING if i have to go anywhere by myself. i've been attacked before when i was alone at the gas station and im fucking terrified of that happening again.
I had a major setback for the last few months after years of anxiety (health, agoraphobia, general). I recently had a trip that I had to drive 100 plus miles to and stay a week then drive back! Up until the trip last week I was back to having anxiety and border line panic attacks (using my tools in the work belt) just going down the street again. Last Thursday was the trip. I had the worst anxiety (dpdr, dizziness, nausea, that jittery feeling and intrusive thoughts). I almost told my wife and 4 kids I couldn’t do it! I said “to hell with it”! Anxiety is the biggest liar! I drove the 100 miles…the drive was supposed to be 2 hrs that turned into 2 1//2…traffic jammed, took a wrong turn went on wrong freeway! I was tested but I kept not fighting it and allowed and even said to the anxiety…is this all you got! Give me more, make me feel even worse! I did it! I own that space! Thank you for videos! It had helped me face my anxiety and see it as a lie! Anxiety is a doing disorder and I gotta keep doing and keep making progress, or else, what’s in store for my future? NOTHING!
You did it! Proud of you! Keep going!
Well done,mate.Had it for 30 yrs and its been a nightmare.Im working on it though😊
Well done! Actually when you said to your anxiety:"Give me more, make it worst of you!", you used a CBT approach, aka willingly accepting to feel it. That often works very well. For most agoraphobia sufferers (including myself) it is difficult to understand that the only way out is in fact to accept to go through all these terrible feelings. Ironically, the amygdala in the brain (which turns on anxiety) reprograms itself only when it is activated, that means that agoraphobia sufferers have to feel uncomfortable on purpose without retreating from situation. Only then the dissociation between 'feeling uncomfortable/anxious' and 'being in danger' takes place in the brain. So the most difficult part is to act first, knowing that feelings will follow actions, and not vice versa.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you for sharing your story. This is exactly me. It's always truly inspiring to hear of others fighting back their anxiety and winning. So well done, my friend and I genuinely hope you remain undefeated, Champ 😉👍
Exposure therapy does work. You have to overcome your fears and dislikes. You have to challenge yourself to do what you don't want to do. The more you do something that you are afraid of... the more your fear goes away.
Thank you for reiterating this. It's always good to remember and repeat, so we never forget what we need to do to overcome our seemingly never ending fears or anxieties 👍
I understand that anxiety isn’t gonna hurt me but when I leave the house to go to work I shake and sweat how can I feel like that all day and be productive at work with such intense feelings that don’t go away
Prayer works for me.
As I prepare for the day, and throughout it, I give Thanks to GOD for His "Peace".
Making a conscious choice to Receive it. Letting It settle in. Carry It with you throughout the day.
Blessings🦋
@@seabee5695 Sorry I’m not religious I don’t believe praying can cure anything I do like to meditate which works really good when I stick with it
@@jamesandrasi3304just “ask” for help with it. Ask the universe, ask your angels to help you with this fear.
And exposure therapy.
Rewatch what she says at 3:11
@@seabee5695 love this, I'm not religious but I know there is Divinity & prayer changed my life. It feels soooo good.
I like "The Anxious Truth" podcast and I hope the audio you shared helped some people, but I think a lot of people (myself included) that suffer from agoraphobia understand that it isn't the supermarket, the trip on the highway, etc... that causes heightened anxiety and panic at all. It is possible to simultaneously know the supermarket isn't the source of the issue while also avoiding it so you don't even risk the possibility of experiencing discomfort and/or an attack.
Anxiety issues exacerbate themselves into this constant inner dialogue of trying to figure out root issues, but when you're in that "fight or flight" situation, you tend to not care about causes and just want the episode to end.
i've been in a situation i mistook a panic attack for a heart attack. i legitimately thought i was dying and called an ambulance. I desperately want to treat my anxiety and agoraphobia. i'm tired of struggling with basic things like going to the store or to the laundromat. i want to do things like fly alone and go out with friends (last time i went out i even went to an arcade i previously enjoyed, but i broke down and had to leave on my own birthday. which just left me embarrassed) my agoraphobia has gotten to the point i was avoiding showers just cuz the confinement and steam made me feel even more panicked. (i'm working on this now and having my partner encourage me every day) but i hope people out there learn to confront their fears as well. we can make a better life for ourselves and not let anxiety control us
Have you tried low dose medication for a short time to get you through it?
@@EMunaBee i unfortunately do not have health insurance or a job beyond streaming at the moment
I feel ya, I was in your shoes. You should try some herbal teas like Passionflower or Valerian to help calm your nerves. It helped me whenever I got too anxious and wired.
Also, in a pinch a doctor told me to drink Benadryl, and it worked!
As a philosopher once said " the cure is in the pain "
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I have CFS and at my worst when I was bedbound I was scared to leave my bedroom in case it was too much for my body. I didn’t see my house for over 18months, just the bedroom. I was scared to shower or bathe, even with help, so for 18 months I didn’t. I was scared of my children because they were so loud and noisy and they would overwhelm me and fatigue very quickly. I don’t think I suffered from agoraphobia but it feels similar. The fear was HUGE
I found my own way to cure social anxiety, bare with me im dead serious.
When i buy shoes i but 2 pairs of the same shoe but with different colors.
For example: i wear one red and s blue shoe, or a pink and a yellow shoe.
People will look at you, some giggle, some stares, some probably think youre slow.
After 2 weeks i dont mind when people notice me, look at me, or what they might think of me. It REALLY WORKS for me, just wanted to share.
Anxiety is now 10% of what it was. Different color shoes works as a exposure therapy.
I can second (and third) this! I have autism and a lot of social anxiety. I used to dress very plainly and boring so I wouldn't stand out in any way. During covid I finally started adding a bunch of color to my wardrobe. Nobody would see it anyway. I finally started wearing the things I actually liked, but never felt comfortable with in public. Eventually lockdowns were lifted and I kept wearing my new clothes since I felt good in them. Not only were the responses, if any, always positive. I just learned people really don't care all that much.
Then, not so long ago, I was invited to a very fancy wedding but didn't own or ever wore a suit before. I also really didn't think I'd feel comfortable in fancy clothes like that. Of course I first thought about getting the most common, unimaginative, typical suit and tie and get it over with. But while looking for one I came across an eye-catching blue suit with a fancy floral print which I really liked the look of. Somehow I managed to convince myself to get the fancy one ("as a joke" I thought). My friends absolutely LOVED it, most other people didn't even mention it or gave compliments too. The huge amount of anxiety I had for this fancy, busy wedding melted away like snow and I had an amazing time. (I was literally contemplating of not going to the wedding only a day before buying the suit!)
@@waltdistel716 Yeah they dont really care but if they do care or not like it , its not a big deal.
I have adhd and Asperger, dont know if thats why im always anxious around alot of people.
It has faded alot tho its almost gone by this point.
When someone looks at me, then my shoes, then me i giggle in my head, i imagine her getting home "i saw the weirdest thing on the bus"
And its only color of the shoes 😂
Keep dressing however you want, the more interesting others think you are the less anxiety you get
genius!
@@Visible.Friend 😀
I stumbled onto a similar fix: cycling gear. Cycling bibs are tight and awkward and padded in a way that looks like a diaper, garnering similar stares. Realized that I didn't really care, and that they wouldn't either the second I was out of their line of sight.
Made grocery trips in them anyway as part of a physical therapy regimen, and I hadn't expected "decreased social anxiety" to be one of the secondary benefits!
As someone who suffered from Agoraphobia, one thing that help me a lot is to talk to my family and friends while seeing professional help, to everyone that suffers from this, I know your pain, I’ve been there, just know that in the end your going to make it and everything is going to be ok❤
Thank you 😊
This video came very handy. This past week I had a setback with my PD and agoraphobia. I was afraid my life was going to be limited again. I then realized I am not that person anymore. I also realized it does not matter where I am. I just gotta look around and see that there's no danger
I’ve suffered with this after an assault at 16 it’s been 12 years and everyday is hell.
I can relate. Just never give up. A tiny triumph is still a triumph.
@@wolfling2039 ❤️ thank you so much
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I would argue that ongoing, regular panic is, indeed dangerous because excessive, long term increased levels of cortisol causes disease, damage, and a shortened life.
wow i’ve been diagnosed with anxiety and now on meds and therapist told me i have agoraphobia and recommended this channel and i’ve never related to something more
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
My anxiety and P.T.S.D is so severe i cant even comprehend these videos untill i pop a klonopin. I feel so much shame and humiliation. I go to the gym 2-3 days a week and thats a struggle as well. I also attend therapy. Im sweating as im typing this😂😢. I refuse to give up tho and i know i need to up my dose of klonopin for a while untill i conquer this. I know i cant avoid these emotions, so i remember how i feel and write them down. My plan is to taper off when i can and take the bull by the horns. Wish me luck ❤
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I have serious issues with the bus. Every work day, I am exposed to my stressor. I can barely get to and from work. It doesn't get better. Unless the bus is empty. I can't do anything else, and I just say home.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you Emma for creating such a thoughtful video!
I didn't realize I was experiencing agoraphobia until I watched this video.
I get so excited everytime I watch one of your videos.
Each video I watch teaches me more about myself, and therefore, life.
You are empowering me to understand myself and to be able to manage my mind.
I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!!
With such a powerful effect on me, each video you put out must change many many lives (for the better.)
I’m so sorry for everyone who deals with this. I feel like I may be heading down this path. As much as I can I want to just stay home. I’m terrified of not having certain medication when I’m out. So now I bring every single medication with me “just in case”. I’m scared to get vertigo, nausea, anxiety, panic attacks, stomach pain, or just anything. It’s terrifying. I feel ok as long as I bring every medication for every symptom I might feel. It’s horrible.
25 years of on and off agoraphobia. It sucks.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you so much for creating this video. Ive been working through what i now know is agoraphobia and thought it was driving anxiety. 15 months ago i had a series of panic attacks while I was driving my van. Totally unrelated to anything, i simply believe I was burnt out and the winter weather was a tad crummy. Ever since then, I have had such fear of having another panic attack while driving. I have peace driving to my normal daily locations, but have total fear when needing to drive further distances from my home. This has been so crippling. Looking back I can see that I have gone through stages in my life where driving anxiety was more prevelent than others, but those panic attacks last year really threw me into a brain dilemma that im still trying to dog myself out of. This information was so helpful and everything I've been doing to help myself is everything you said DON'T DO! 🤣 Control ...ugh....sigh. "Let go of control and face your feelings" is exactly what I needed to hear. I know I'm a good driver and I know I'm going to get back to where i was prior to the panic attacks, even if it takes me some time and a lot of prayer. 🙏❤️ Thank you again for this video.
Hello!
This video had disappeared. And now it is back. I'm glad it's back. Thank you very much for this video! And thank you very much for posting it again. I was a bit sad when I realized it had disappeared.
Thank you for this! I wouldn't go so far as to call myself Agoraphobic, but I have crippling levels of social anxiety that has majorly impeded my ability to have real relationships. (I obsess over all the possible ways that other people might judge me) Yes, my heart sank when I heard "Exposure Therapy" but I actually took a lot of comfort in hearing that it doesn't have to be anything major and I can just focus on one minor fear to strengthen my resilience.
One of my biggest fears is people thinking I'm acting like a child. So, I'm going to (try to) commit myself to regularly go on the swing set at the little park near my house. It sounds so dumb, but I'm legitimately scared of doing it. As a 32 year old woman, I'm quite certain I will look like a fool using playground equipment that's meant for children. But it's a relatively isolated park and I THINK I can do it. . .
(Wish me luck 😭)
I've been agoraphobic since I was a teenager, and I got prescribed antidepressants a few years after having started experiencing panic attacks and agoraphobia - and I would actually not recommend anyone using antidepressants for agoraphobia. It might help in the beginning but our bodies get used to the medication after some time, and the "good effect" from the antidepressants wear off - because that's what our brain does. After some time on antidepressants I still had agoraphobia + the problems with trying to come off antidepressants. I've been on antidepressants for 15 years now, and I wish I had gotten therapy from the start to deal with the fear of having anxiety. Antidepressants are basically avoidance in a pill + all the potential side-effects, and withdrawal symptoms when you no longer want to use it.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Great video as always! 💜
Super cool to see one of my biggest OCD helpers commenting on here as well. Clicked the vid because my OCD lead to an inability to leave home for awhile. Went scrolling and what a neat surprise.
Wishing you well. :)
This video is so helpful in reminding me how to get back into my pre-covid state of being able to actually leave the house and meet up with friends and do the shopping and drive out on busy roads. Every point made in this video is absolutely spot on. I used to use all of these helpful tips to help me to continue managing my anxiety and pushing through it to do all things I had too. COVID forced us to stay I side our homes and thus stay inside my most comfortable sanctuary, which set me right back to square one. I am now finding things much harder to cope with than ever before and I am losing motivation to push myself beyond my own made limitations through the anxiety I feel. Thank you so much for this video. Time for me to get my butt out of bed, showered, dressed and off to the shops. No more dallying.
I feel so seen and validated. Thank you for helping me understand the "why" of agoraphobia.
This is gold. It came right in time for me. Thank you, you are so gifted.
What if you have always forced yourself to go to the grocery store or the mall and still have anxiety? I wouldn't call this exposure therapy, I'm just doing it because I have to. And still each time I have the same amount of anxiety. What do you do then?
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I've been experiencing a fear, not agoraphobia, but thought maybe this could help me. I swapped out agoraphobia for my fear and you still described my thoughts, feelings and behaviors. We've never met yet you read me like a book. The answer is to begin collecting good experiences so my brain can learn. This is cathartic. This is from Jesus. Ready or not here I gooooooooo.
My dad when repairing fan he swallowed screw which made me anxious luckily it came out and later when i went to village i have heard big thunder sound ever in my life and started hearing my heartbeat panics attacks started.
Now within two weeks i was able to know my exact problem today morning when i came across this channel. Now i will apply all techniques and change myself back to normal.
You are such a blessing Emma. Thank you so much and I hope you're having a good week!
Learning HOW to Calm yourself from a panic attack or trauma trigger, is probably one of the most beneficial ways of pushing through self limiting fears such as agoraphobia.
Knowing that Wherever you are or the circumstance, that YOU Can Control the bodily sensations, with deep breathing, grounding, cold water, humming, a whiff of essential oil, or many other techniques, allows the freedom to take the Cure with you.
As you practice, you gain confidence in your own abilities... Losing the fear of the circumstance.
These things are best learned and practiced consistently when not having the attacks so they're ingrained and easier, almost automatic. It's work that's worth it
I treated walking through my anxiety so my brain could learn like an experiment. For the first time I felt some curiosity with my anxiety. What I found on the other side was quite nice. See brain, so far so good. 😊❤
Great content Emma. I listen to your content each morning on my walks and find them as great refreshers and appreciate what you are doing for self-care. The more authentic voices that can connect with the different personalities out there the better. I enjoy seeing your short content recently as well. You are a great mentor from afar.
Oh my goodness thank you so much for this. I've been dealing with this for 3 years. I can go outside but can't leave my driveway with having some level of anxiety.. because of a podcast of yours I listened to recently I did repetitive exposure therapy today drove to the end of my road several times for an hour.. it was REALLY hard but I did it!! Thank you for your videos you don't know how much they have helped me!!!
Could you link me the podcast please?
@@tayloryeates9484 I'm so sorry I don't know how to do this stuff but if you look back to her last video it's that one she talks about exposure therapy
@@tayloryeates9484czcams.com/video/TYQ2qWgVJrY/video.htmlsi=asr7eyoYhtFnHoRa
I apologize I didn't think I knew how to do it.. I believe it's this one
THANK YOU for reuploading this. It touches everything correctly and describes my agoraphobia to a T. I can share this video with family members who have questions. Sending it to my therapist now 😅
There is so much more to it than this. Exposure therapy can cause further harm for certain people. Especially some autistic folk. Also it is unsafe being out in public if your an adult and you go into sensory overload and autistic meltdown because majority of people have no awareness or skills to respond in safe, understanding ways to such distress that can be misinterpreted and people like security and the police can be called and great harm can result. So no, these are not unfounded anxieties or reasons for feeling unsafe about leaving the house. Thank you for discussing agoraphobia. As hardly anyone does.
I do worry about this as an autistic person. I'm scared to be out by myself because every single time friends or family have pointed out someone around us who was behaving in an erratic or dangerous way, or someone was following us, etc, it hasn't even been a blip on my radar. I just don't pick up on stuff like that. I'm not really scared of being in public, I'm just so naturally overwhelmed by the sensory information I'm getting that I don't notice nearly anything that I need to to keep myself safe. And unfortunately, we live in rather a scary area. There's a lot of public intoxication, violence, and crime.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I became agoraphobic at age 13 when I began having regular panic attacks. It was 100% the fear of humiliation from losing control in public. I actually avoided flying for years because I pictured myself running up and down the aisles screaming and trying to get out of the plane! 😂 but also 😢 Thank god I got better in my 20s.
Did you get on a plane? I haven't flown in 15 years I'm so worried I'll freak out...
@@GabbyDabs I took a short flight at 16 - NYC to Greensboro, NC both ways for a wedding. I got through a 2 hour flight ok. But by that time I had cut sugar out of my diet and exercised 1 hour daily, and that made a HUGE difference in my anxiety!
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Thank you Emma, your wonderful... I can identify totally. Its a vicious circle. Mine wasn't panic just fear of my fealings and symptoms. Like fear of fear. Its crazy. I've got through my fear of going to big shops and walking further than my road for 4 months. But I've mastered it with your help and Music! Your safe. Come out of the fear tunnel everyone. Its silly and shouldn't let it get hold of you. Do Exposure therapy bit by bit. It works.... She's right. Have courage and be on Yr guard, see it off folks....
I get those panic thoughts, and start to panic i would love to know how to reprogram the thoughts
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Extremely helpful thank you 🙏🏾 I do exposure therapy on myself to heal from this! I do things that make me scared and talk to myself while in that space and help myself calm down. I have a bunch of tools that I use depending on the situation and what I need in the moment.
This is all true.
My agoraphobia started during my development of narcolepsy symptoms-I was no longer in complete control of my body. The nail in the coffin was Covid and dozens of mass shootings in this country every year. I'm agoraphobic because people scare the shit out of me.
The hardest thing is comorbidity. I have agoraphobia as a result of emetophobia because my biggest fear is throwing up in public while I'm far away from my refuge (my home). Even queuing at the supermarket checkout is awful, because I feel trapped and I think "What if I start feeling sick?". I do exposure therapy, it's long and exhausting, but I cannot accept that vomit is possible. I mean, if I'd allow all my anxiety to happen, something bad could happen, I could throw up because nausea is a normal response to anxiety. So I'd prove to myself that what I do is dangerous or that's what I perceive. That's why I never feel safe. Does anyone feel the same way that I do?
I am almost 7 years into this current status, the fourth time in my life that I have had what we used to call a nervous breakdown. One thing that may help you that works for me, especially when I get terrified which brings on that feeling like I am going to just pass out, is to try to notice something about the person in front or behind me in the line and speak to them--maybe they have a nice shirt or pretty hair, it doesn't have to be something big. No one has ever been mean to me or refused to engage in a conversation while we are waiting our turn. I have met some really neat people I would have never met otherwise, and while we are talking, most of my fear dissipates. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and learning about their life stories, and so while they are talking and I am listening, I can relax. I do know what you mean about having the feared event happening and it reinforcing the fear. I have had some brutal panic attacks in the grocery store, and kept going, sobbing. It is a struggle, and I have sometimes had to run to the bathroom in the store (the feared attack of diarrhea in the store and will I make it to the toilet) but just going to the store is a triumph for both of us. And I know what you mean by never feeling safe. My therapist has helped me dig into my past and we have discovered where some of my fears come from, events in my childhood that were terrifying and my parents scolding me for crying. That knowledge helps too, to know why you are frightened and to know that you aren't imagining that you are in fear! Knowledge is power, and I hate it when people ask me what I am afraid of and all I can say is "I don't know, I am just afraid." I send healing wishes to you and hope that one day we will both be free of these fears.
@@shirleykaye4344 thank you Shirley, you wrote the kindest message I've ever received. Thank you for the suggestion of noticing and speaking to the people in the line. I'll try to put it into practice. I had some horrible panick/anxiety attacks while going for a walk with a terrible nausea even recently, the day after I always go for another walk because I don't want the phobia to prevail, but sometimes the panick attack is so discouraging. You think you're doing great, making progress, but all of sudden you have the panick attack and it seems that you lose all the progress you made.
I also have events in my childhood that caused the phobia and my parents mocking me, they never reassured me while I was terrified. It's not easy to forgive. Maybe that's why I would feel really embarassed If felt sick in public. I send the same wishes to you, hoping our fears will be just a bad memory soon.
I find that anxious wrecks like me have all of these fears because we think too much about everything and in my case think too deep about life and try to figure everything out. My agoraphobia is less now due to throwing myself into what I fear more and more until it gets easier and easier. What everyone needs to make their brain realise is all the things we fear about going out and being in public etc all the things we catastrophize about never come true except in our heads and how it makes us feel.
I think the news doesnt help because always reporting someone being stabbed and all this craziness happens in public and makes us just want to be safe and stay in smh. Thats what fear in our mind is our survival brain "protecting" us but really its destroying us.
We deserve to enjoy being out like everyone else. Thats what we need to train our brains to realise what is true. Start with baby steps and keep going into the uncomfortable zone then take it a step further.
Thank Just shaed this with my parents you explain things very well.
In this world I can wear my mask. It can hide my embarrassment when I’m overwhelmed with anxiety. I can persevere with most everything.
I was never diagnosed with agoraphobia, but I was diagnosed with panic disorder about a decade ago, and…it definitely manifested in a lot of the ways described in this video. If I had been able to afford to see a psychiatrist instead of a GP for my panic disorder, maybe they’d have identified me as having agoraphobia too, and maybe I’d have gotten more specific treatment/therapy. It took me years of work (supported by medication) to get through it and past it. Sometimes I think the pandemic set me back, though.
I do have to say I credit Xanax with helping me teach my brain that I could feel safe going places. There was a time period when I couldn’t have functioned in terms of going to work and having a social life if it weren’t for knowing that I COULD shut down my panic if I needed to. More often than not, I didn’t actually have to take the medication, but sometimes I did, and that was ok too.
Thank you so much Emma, God bless you.
For me, it's a struggle to leave the house, but once I get out, I feel a lot better. It's weird. I am not afraid or what's out there, it's like a physical block that I have. An invisible force field within myself. I feel trapped within myself and I try to burst out, but end up procrastinating and by the time I'm ready to get out the day if almost over.
Your videos have been a huge help. Thank you so much! I was able to go on an 8-hour drive although I didn't drive my dad did and that's a huge deal for me. I kept telling myself I was safe or just something I remember you saying and I could do this and I've done hard things before and this isn't that hard.
What did I learn from this suffering To Look after My Self and do what I want to do not caring what people think not let them make me sad or mad. With Gods help after a dark Tunnel comes Sunshine
, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Brilliant. Just brilliant. Thank You 😊❤️🙏
I think I’m agoraphobic, I always thought I just had really bad social anxiety, but I realized it’s not even people that scare me.
I know that there is so much to know about neuroplasticity. In some was characteristic be positive and negative, know what they are. Life or people always seeking out negativity . Controlling anger, learn to say nice things about self, that should be easier if worry more about self, not so much about others
Thank you! it was really helpfull!
Oh hey this is me! 😅 I honestly don't go anywhere without my spouse.
This happens to me with driving too, I don't have a license and 5 minutes behind the wheel someone trying to teach me and I'm panicking because driving is dangerous, a lot of bad things could happen, etc. 😅
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I have been agoraphobic since the lockdown! Before, I had maybe 3 or 4 panic attacks a year in a car from age 5. Now I am 30 and can't get in a car without the fear of a panic attack 😥
Knowledge is power. You are the best ❤
Thanks Doc
It started for me after several years of traumatic events. I stopped going to grocery stores, crowded places and stopped going out at night. Eventually i stopped going outside and only went out when i needed my medication refill. I didn't realize that it got bad when a family member addressed it a year later bc she noticed i wouldnt even go take the trasg out back and let my bro take on that task.
Now, if i do go out, im usually not alone & with someone due to my frequent meltdowns in public.
It took me this past year to mentally prepare to travel internationally with my fam for 3 weeks this past month. It took a HUGE toll on me forsue 😂
Thank you.
Good Topic Thanks
Thank you
I wonder how many people labeled with general anxiety or autism are actually agoraphobic🤔 I suddenly feel like my entire life transformed into one long agoraphobic experience 🤦♀️ I think it's important to identify people's triggers because there's some kind of a disconnection between the invalidation of other people regarding just believing that something is unsafe and actually having an experience that it actually was unsafe and you're trying to avoid it.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
If a person who has a heart condition need to worry about panic attacks. My mom has congestive heart and was given beta blockers to help her heart from not pumping to much.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Very helpful ❤
OK but what do you do if you experience this while driving, especially on the freeway? Sometimes the anxiety is so bad, I feel numb in my hands and feet and feel like I'll pass out, and that's dangerous while driving.
I usually get off the freeway and take side roads, but I'd like to stay in the freeway. The anxiety isn't the horrible part, the physical symptoms are. I can deal with the anxiety, but the feeling my heart race, light headed, numb/tingly hands and feet are what gets me.
If it’s any consolation I get cold hands and feet with dizziness I’m not cured but chewing on a sweet or dextrose tablet helps get through them. It’s a safety behaviour and I need to learn to not use them but it helps.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
It could be that there is something in you causing the bad feeling, but, if it takes place at a specific location, you start thinking it was the location causing those feelings. Even, if you deny the real cause at all costs, then you could be happy to link the feeling to the locations instead. And yes, locations can be avoided, thus controlling something otherwise uncontrollable.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
@@redllarbxen3237 You gave a good idea, thanks! I just made an internal image, though without substance. It is powerful. And the other remark is true as well, it is only in a peaceful state of mind that one can take a deeper look inside.
I havent left my house for like 1 year and 2 months now😭 i do go out of the door to throw the trash out sometimes but otherwise i dont go outside. Im also afraid to throw up, cause that happened a lot when i went outside before, so much so i started avoiding eating if i had to go out. So now i have some eating problems too..
It’s made me very depressed but lately i been wanting to work more on getting better, thanks for this video
I've been diagnosed with it after 15 years suffering. But I genuinely DO vomit in social situations, had sudden diarrhoea in social situations, had LOADS of panic attacks in public places. But I'm not entirely housebound there's TWO shops I feel reasonably safe in, a little anxious and avoid them at busiest times and use self check out but I can just about manage them. I can do countryside walks but only because if my dogs but I go to the quietest unknown places and if a group of walkers happened to be nearby I'll hide or take a different path.
I feel I can't have more than one stranger in my home like for repairs etc. I feel safest in my car and my private gated garden but high anxiety on motorways so I don't do motorways. I'm also bipolar with photophobia, phonophobia, migraines, ME, fibromyalgia, CF, arthritis and severe travel sickness, general dizzy spells and always get a travelling feeling. Only time I'm okay travelling is when I'm driving.
i’m not sure if it’s agoraphobia, or ptsd, but last year we went to a state fair and someone started shooting right behind us and it’s been hard to go to the stores since
Cure for anxiety is not a destination it's only a journey.
I feel like I've been trying to show my brain its safe for five years, but it still doesn't reprogram
So tired of going about life anxious
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I also wish there was more research on hormonal causation. There are times in people's lives; puberty, post-pregnancy and peri-menopause, when the imbalance of hormones can kickstart an anxiety disorder or depression when there's previously been no instance of it. And no matter how much you try to expose and 'float through' the oft times horrific anxiety and panic, when there's a PHYSIOLOGICAL cause it can feel like you're hitting a brick wall.
Some people's agoraphobia is reality-based though. For example, people from minority groups for whom it ISN'T safe outside. Some have been repeatedly traumatised over years by being attacked or bullied. They might have been actually harmed. Is this just not agoraphobia though?
I'd love it if you were to address this in a video.
i have a question i can’t tell the difference between my anxiety making me hot and feel like im dying towards anxiety and i convince myself its not anxiety and freak myself out more
What if I feel anxiety for hours in situations that make me feel anxious. Sometimes the fear goes away, sometimes I need to dampen it down by doing yoga or other exercises that relieve the fear. Prolonged anxiety sensations cause stomach problems for me. Next time I attempt it I still feel the fear. What is wrong?
What if a certain person gives you an anxiety attack? They don’t harm you directly but their presence is soul crushing.
Your theory is to just be around that person a little bit so you can get over that. But it sure feels better to keep them away.
If a person’s presence is soul-crushing, there’s a lack of trust. That might be a healthy instinct. Questions to ask are When in my past did I feel similar, have a similar reaction? That helps to see how that person is triggering. Another is to examine this person’s actions, expressions, & words to see if their presence is safe or not. So you observe facts and inner reactions. You need to know if the person is safe or not. I had to do this with a boss whose presence made me very anxious. Turned out she was difficult in some similar ways to another person who was even more difficult. Once I saw the pattern, my reactions calmed, and I saw how this boss was quite unhealthy.
this is a multi layered attack, great efforts
I feel like 2020-2022 media and the government ect has beaten this condition into the public from covid. It has made my anxiety with places and people skyrocket. It was the lack of in-person contact for 3 years. It would have been better to live with the risk than to not live at all for that long.
Hey Everyone, I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
It’s the space between.
Thank you for sharing this video, it is so accurate. I had learned to go out and be okay with the anxiety or panic attacks, got into eating healthier, and would go for a walk almost every day whether I ‘felt’ like it or not. I was doing okay until menopause hit, and it felt like everything spiraled out of control. It felt awful, almost like having to start at square one all over again! Do you have any advice about how to handle this? I feel like I’m barely keeping my head above water.
That is a very good point--the changes that occur with menopause are not just not having a period anymore. One of my "events' was definitely made worse by menopause. If you can find a good gyn who specializes in helping women with menopause, as well as post-menopause which is another big adjustment, you would be able to get help from someone who actually knows what you are going through. My gyn actually told me a year before I had the latest breakdown that my anxiety and depression were coming back and that he was going to notify my Primary Care Physician to get me help. I did not believe him, but he was right. Unfortunately , my PCP did not take any action and by the time I got him and the therapist I had at the time (yes, relapse while in therapy) it was too late. The other thing is to be with other women going through the "change" as sharing troubles and hearing how others deal with them will help you feel less alone, and everyone will help everyone else. I wish you the best. If men had to go through menopause there would be a cure for it by now!
@@shirleykaye4344 Thank you so much for the support and ideas. Thankfully my regular dr. deals with special women's issues. I am also looking into a support group. I love that last statement! Men have no idea! Take care.
Whats the difference between panic attacks and panic disorder?
I don’t think I have agoraphobia, but as I’ve gotten older and our world has gotten crazier, I do find myself being less eager to go out and about. I go to work and I do my normal errands and go visit friends and but I don’t really drive very far from home anymore And I tend to not go out late at night. Perhaps that’s just age lol
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
I had tried exposure therapy, i feel anxiety when I go outside. First i want the solution for my anxiety. Anxiety is the major problem for me. I always feel when I am trying to go far from my home, i feel very rush to home. In internet this is called Hurry Sickness.
You know what’s interesting I had weird symptoms for over a year now went to dizzy clinic and they told me it’s vestibular migraine has some strange symptoms I am getting also woman’s hormones changes it’s a nightmare I went to so many different specialists trying to fix this problem now I realised waste of money spent thousands of dollars and nothing I get better information on You Tube
For some weird reason, whenever I play this episode on Spotify, it’s just a repeat of the racing thoughts/insomnia episode. Weird!
Do you provide clinical psychologist for those in other country? To be specific, Malaysia. Do your service can serve those with bipolar disorder?
That's me it's so scary to have this at the time of going outside I feel I'm going to die ever time I wish I never had it .
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
for cptsd 60% dont respond to exposure therapy, based on therapy ,m ncbi
Me being a Train Warrior, safety is #1. Been in my steampunk CRV, seen chaos, and asked what happens if an unauthorized person gets on the tracks. I stand down on a lot of stuff. Being a Fallout fan made me want to pull a fast one and hop the tracks and chase him down waving a remove before flight flag. Literally had to do that with a dude with no headlights on in the evening. I had a change of heart about a lot of things, despite the limited therapy, time, money, and what not.
Was way more happy the last few days. Feels like a steam engine was being pushed out on unsure rails on an unscheduled time.
I understand that lots of people have been going through all kinds of pain, especially at this modern age. It's a pity but it's also nothing to be ashamed of. I believe in strong spiritual practices and peaceful therapy, they'll help heal anything.
And I know we are eager to help ourselves, I suggest an Ayahuasca Ceremony.
@@redllarbxen3237 Eh, I use marijuana and try to do do that on my own. It's a little bit different, but it works. I have accepted the fact that I can technically become the human version of a therapeutic service work horse, a locomotive/semi-truck, and I would like to lay the weed off, but I have been anxious as hell lately, not just from the weed, but a whole manifest train of different problems. As a conductor of said train, you can look, but don't stand close to the rails as a unsecure boxcars roll down even the slightest grade.
Oh hey, it’s back