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Depression and Anxiety at an older age
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Aug 30 8:06pm | Replies (631)Comment receiving replies
@chichuck- Good morning. I'm so sorry that you have agoraphobia. For people who do not understand what this is: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/agoraphobia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355987
I have had periods of this and it can be completely debilitating. It has to be challenging to have agoraphobia. Would you be willing to discuss what started this for you? What symptoms do you experience that have you afraid? What do you do about them?
I'd like to invite @bvgrammy @sore_debbie64 @cdcc @csimpson55 @hopeful123 @lorraine59 @lizaa @jeanmnyc @mamacita @tennessegirl @faraway53 to contribute to this conversation. They are int he Agoraphobia discussion group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/agoraphobia-1/.
What have you done so far to try and gain control or lessen your anxieties?
Replies to "@chichuck- Good morning. I'm so sorry that you have agoraphobia. For people who do not understand..."
I've been agoraphobic for over 40 yrs. 2 yrs of counseling with a psychologist, low dose .25 Xanax (taken as needed), support from my husband and son have been my saving grace. Initially I was to the point I could only go to work and come home, otherwise I would not leave the house without an escort. My therapist suggested going out and taking my son. He was 14 and not able to drive, so I had to drive (which was a HUGE issue for me). I do fairly well. Actually the last couple of months have been the best I've ever been. I contribute that to zero alcohol. I quit 7 months ago. I have a 25 mile radius that I'm comfortable driving around. Otherwise, my husband drives or has to take me if it is further than that. I've not driven on major highway in over 30 yrs. Visualizing getting on a ramp to the highway terrifies me. I don't like bridges, escalators, the list goes on and on. I feel I've missed out on a lot because of my fears. Learning to accept the disorder, not fight it & keep working on it helps. Good luck, it is a horrible disorder to live with. . .
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Hi Merry. My agoraphobia started when trying to taper off diazepam, which I was put on 10 months ago low dose. I did not have it before, I have spent most of the 10 months trying to reduce the 4 mgs diazepam I was prescribed for anxiety, and each tiny reduction has been a torture. Now at 2.3mgs and housebound.
I do try to make myself walk around the block each day, but need to have someone on the end of my phone to keep talking me through. I have tried to start CBT but it wont work due to the diazepam taper which is horrendous and leaves me in a state of fear all day. Lost 30lbs in weight and muscle loss. Such a terrible time with it.
I have been considering adding an AD to help, but as my CNS has been so sensitised I am concerned that they will be too overstimulating for me now.
I would be grateful for any input in how to help overcome the massive fear I live in, due to the diazepam taper, as I am sure once I could reduce the major anxiety I will be able to tackle the agoraphobia.
I am not sure where to go from here.