Life After Agoraphobia (Trigger Warning)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 18 січ 2020
- Website - iamlaurenrose.com
Instagram - / laurenr_rose
If you are struggling with an anxiety disorder, PLEASE don't be afraid to seek help.
You can get help RIGHT NOW from Beyond Blue - call 1300 22 4636, or visit
www.beyondblue.org.au/get-sup...
Thank you so much for posting this. I have had OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, GAD, and agoraphobia for about 5 years. So I’ve basically had every anxiety disorder that exists. About 6 months ago, I was going to the ER with panic attacks almost every single day. Now, slowly but surely, I’m getting out of the house. I’m taking walks. I’m going to get a coffee. I haven’t done anything big (like got on a plane or traveled) but I’m doing the small things and I’m ok with that right now. It’s so hard to explain agoraphobia and panic to people who don’t understand. I’m still really struggling to immerse myself into social situations, especially at night. Night time is an extremely hard time for me right now. I pray every day that I will make a full recovery just like you. Please keep sharing these videos. You are saving lives.
Oh Emily. I'm so sorry you've been through so much. I truly believe though that its the small things that add up and make the difference!!! Certainly the big ones help to 'prove' to yourself that you can do the scary things, but its the small everyday challenges that give you the courage to try in the first place. Keep going. Keep me updated. Sending you all the love.
Emily, now that it’s 4 years later… did you overcome Agoraphobia? I really wanna know.
Amazing. No one understands until you got through it. It’s how uncomfortable you feel outside of your home and it just happens.
Your journey to beating agoraphobia is so inspiring! It seems so Impossible to ever not feel the panic for me, but I’m so happy you were able to get through! Ive been completely stuck in my comfort zone since 2015 😔
Keep trying!!!!!!! I know the impossible feeling. But I promise, it gets easier!!!!
I can relate 100% - I have agoraphobia and haven’t been beyond 3 mile radius of my house since 2016 💔😞
Big love to you. Its a battle. Sending you all the positive vibes!!!
Omg I can relate to you here 5 yrs of it
It's the start of the going out, the block I feel like a force field shame etc but I have hope ❤
its been about a month since i started my exposures, I was feeling stuck, unmotivated, and overwhelmed to keep pushing. This put things in perspective again. TY
Ty for sharing this needed this support!
Same deal here: after 2 years of isolation, almost making myself homeless as i was unable to attend work and battling PTSD with the agoraphobia, 5 psychologists and no one diagnosed me let alone taught me how to deal with it and daily neuro retraining and inner work, i gave up. Im just started going full fledge self immersion. I throw myself out there into things, have panic attacks the entire way and I dont care. I need to work and get my life back. Immersion therpay it is.. the panic attacks suck but i dont care im going to keep going
7 years nearly I've not been off my street, seeing this really has filled me with motivation, so happy for you, wish you and your family the best and thank you for sharing ❤️
Thankyou so so much for this video! Agorafobia is hell, and it means so much for us who are struggling to see that you CAN get better.
Ty for this video! Im 53 and have suufered with agoraphobia since i was 14. It does get better with time and stretching my boundaries. I do however struggle with the ups snd downs of it.
Thats a long time! Its definitely an up and down process. I always likened it to a square dance - you go forward then sideways then back then sideways then forward again!
@@LaurenRose. yes! Thats a very good analogy! Keep up the videos! Its very helpful!!
You're the first person I've come across that has a story so similar to mine down to panicking worse when someone is with you. I thought I was alone on that one. I just recently found your videos while I was looking for hope of some kind since I've been having a really hard time lately and you've definitely given me that. You're so brave and such an inspiration and I thank you for that!
Thank you so much Casandra. You are not alone, I promise!! Sending you so much love, I'm so sorry to hear you're going through a hard time. May you find some ease and relief soon!!
Mine started out just feeling uncomfortable and escalated? Is that how it happens? Like feeling uncomfortable parking in a parking lot so you park a long ways off then next thing you know I don’t want to leave the house.
You are so brave to share your experience online! 💪I can’t even tell some of my friends that I face agoraphobia! Thank you so much for giving a hope! 💙 Hello from Ukraine 🇺🇦
Not agoraphobic, but bodily dysphoria replicates a lot of the feelings from it. The anxiety is overpowering, and it’s hard for others like my mom to really understand. I still need to go to school and stuff, and everyday feels like flipping a coin to whether im gonna have a breakdown and need to force myself out the house, be totally fine, or not go at all.
I feel this so deeply! I'm goin on over a year being agoraphobic, my first panic attack happened in a vehicle so traveling isnt my strong suit, I've been really isolated but I've been pushing myself and boundaries and do my own exposure therapy some days when I can . I just want to be normal again and live life ❤️
Sending love to you! You've got this.
@@LaurenRose. thank you so much it's all I want . My anxiety has me convinced I'm gonna die I just hate it .
You are amazing handling panic attacks. It's dangerous for me to do exposure because my legs give way, and I black out. I completely lose control of the car and have been in several accidents because of this. I wish I could cope with panic the way you do.
I know how you felt as I'm agoraphobic and got housebound. For the past 2 years, I hadn't gone more than 3 miles from my house. Yesterday i made it to 7 miles! I Had such a huge panic attack and had to take medicine. Agoraphobia is so horrible. I just want to enjoy life.
I've been doing exoposure therapy too. I've recorded a couple of my outings and put them on tik and one on youtube shorts and talked about it in one of my live streams.
You give me hope. I'm so down on myself about having it and being so limited. Did anyone in your family have it? Between Agoraphobia and arfid, it makes dating awkward af, lol. I just want to be ok with the feeling of a panic attack so i don't fear it. I have been working with a therapist. Thank you
Thank you for sharing. I've improved a ton with my anxiety/agoraphobia/panic disorder but there are still things I want to do! Like fly on a plane, go on a trip to see my brother (who's 4 hours away) go hiking. I try to remind myself I have come far. For anyone out there struggling, I know agoraphobia sucks so much. I understand and I'm proud of you just for trying because life can get so frustrating. Try to find joy in the littlest of things and take it one day, one moment at a time.
Great advice Zoe
As always your videos give me hope! I am finally expanding my range and getting better at getting through panic attacks. I know one day I will have my life back, but until then I cherish all the progress I make!
Sending you love. Keep at it!!!!!
When your in the turn lane, when there's road work, when your not the one driving... I feel that girl. Thanks for sharing your journey! It's very encouraging to keep pushing my boundaries.
haha YES! all the feels. Thank you :)
I always get so much anxiety knowing I have to drive far for work and my hands get sweaty and I feel like I can’t breath sometimes ugh the worst ever.. it gets better tho a little everyday now thank goodness 💜
I feel you!! I think its definitely something that improves with time :)
Thank you so much for sharing. You are giving me hope
Thank you so much for making this video, it's so wonderful to see how far you've come and that you're living a fulfilling life after so much struggle. From watching your videos I think our anxiety is very similar in the way it manifests and it's so uplifting to see you doing so well. So thank you xx
Thank you so much :)
You are so brave for facing it, and also sharing it. Thank you so much. This really helps me feel there is hope.
Very proud of you, truly an inspiration 💗🌸🌼
Thank you!
Thank you for making these videos ❤ I remember watching your stuff when my own situation was bad. It was really helpful. There aren't many people talking about this. I am OK nowadays too!
Did you notice if, for example, food habits had any effects on your anxiety?
The physical feeling of anxiety and panic is just so strong and sometimes exremely paralyzing. I realized over the years that trying to affect bodily reactions and overall physical health, rather than my thoughts and mental models, was probably most efficient with getting better. The physical stress causes anxiety, and the anxiety causes physical stress. When your body is already physically stressed, I guess the physical reaction of anxiety in triggering situations appears stronger.
So I've been thinking that everything that decreases physical stress (stress hormones, bodily functions, inflammation) could be very helpful with agoraphobia. The "exposure sessions" could go better if your bodily stress is as minimal as possible beforehand, which could maybe fasten the healing process. Everything that lessens for example body's cortisol and inflammation could be extremely helpful. So for example healthy diet, enough sleep and exercise might have bigger impact than it is thought. But this is just speculation. Random thoughts 😁🌞
You're absolutely spot on! The stress response is a physical response - and you're so right that if we can take care of our bodies, then our mental anxiety and stress is lessened. I think this is why people feel the traditional psychology methods of talk therapy are not effective, because they only cover a very small component of what is more often a full body experience (anxiety, panic and agoraphobia).
And, I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well these days!! Thank you so much for your comment, sending you love!
Thank you!!! I am a recovering agoraphobic as well but don't have my life put together just yet 😅 Love u Lauren!
Keep going!! its all a work in progress :p
This is so helpful. Thank you so so much for it. I am going through it right now and I was thinking… is there a way out of it?
And you just showed that there is. And I am so thankful that you did this.
You are amazing
You are so brave and your journey has been such an inspiration to follow. Thank you so much for sharing yourself with us. This made me misty. 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Thank you gorgeous. 🌷🌷🌷
I'm so sad you had to go through this pain as I totally get it. But I'm so grateful you did. When I was struggling with the same thing last year I came across some of your videos. By that point I'd been stuck in my house for about 6 weeks and the fact that you struggled for two years scared me more than the panic attacks and I forced myself into therapy. So so happy for you that you have your life back. Thank you for being so brave and making your videos x
Thank you for watching! I'm so happy that I helped in some small way. Sending you love
1:19 really felt this ❤
Wow so awesome to see how the hard and scary work you put in has brought you the freedom you deserve. I've watched every single one of your videos over spring of 2019 while I was undergoing my own terror of not agoraphobia but the opposite. Being home alone is my nightmare. I feel detached from reality and a stranger in my own mind. Your journey you shared helped me as I started my own exposure therapy. Seeing you do it before my eyes and how you coped despite the uncomfortableness, talking through all the "crazy thoughts" was such a healing thing for me. Thank you for sharing it on UA-cam where people like us can see the hope there is. Gosh I couldn't relate more when you said I just want my old life back. I still have feelings like that as things aren't 100% but everyday I get a little closer and one special blessing is the appreciation I have now for little moments that the average person could never have.
Congratulations! You're a strong person :)
My gosh..thank you!!!! Thank you for your encouragement and support. I'm so sorry you had to go through something similar but I'm so happy to know that I helped in some small way. It definitely does help when we learn that we aren't alone in our discomfort and that everyone has to face their fears at some point in order to grow. Sending you so much love!!
Mind my language, but you are a fucking beast. I'm currently suffering and have slowly been doing exposure and feel I am making some progress. This is one of those things that is highly personal and most people will never fully understand it. What you said about "Just do it" or " You'll be fine" generic advice that people give is spot on. If only it were that easy haha. It is simple though, do what scares you until it doesn't. Thank you for the video I had the biggest smile on my face when you started posting clips of you in the car. Congrats again!
I was just thinking about you the other day because I notice you haven’t posted in a while. And I just want to say WOW ! I am so happy for you. You’ve given me so much hope. I always was curious to see how you faced it because I always assumed there’s a magic button that just switches. But you proved to me the cbt I’ve been doing is worth it. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Thank YOU! The CBT is so worth it. It takes time - it still takes me time, too! But persistence is the key :)
Bless you for sharing this with the world. It's content like this that makes me feel less alone. Congratulations for overcoming the "beast" that is agoraphobia. This was very inspiring to me, as it was for many.
Thank you so much!
I love it !!!!!!! You should be very proud of yourself.
Thank you!!! :)
I feel anxious when I go out side to meet people or walk by my self. But its not my identity while I'm over loaded. I'm still overwhelmed to a crowded places from adulthood to now. I don't know what to do, I never be happy around peoples I prefer to be alone most of my time.
God bless you. Every proud of your progress
Thank you
I'm suffering of panic attackand agoraphobia it's starts 1 month ago and I see this inspiring video of yours thank you so much hope I can do it too ❤️
Thank you for this video 🙏🏼❤️ you are brave for sharing god bless u
You are so welcome!
I am still going through agoraphobia. It's horrific. I was completely housebound also but now I can go out with people but not alone. I don't drive but I can't walk far alone from house. It's paralysing. I've had many moments like I saw in ur video.. I hear voices also . It's really tough. U feel your going crazy. Well done. Xx
I stayed in a motel for the first time in 7 years it was huge for me
U go girl!!!! 💓
So how did u do it? Just go do things anyway? Even if you’re terrified?
yep! It took me a long time though :P Lots of repetition, and there were absolutely days where I didn't feel up to it. But basically i tried to get out every day and I kept trying to increase the distance.
I bought my daughter tickets to go see JoJo Siwa in March and Crowds and traffic are a huge trigger for me but I’m determined to go and see her have fun. I have to be in control of the driving and being stuck in traffic is my nightmare. I need to be able to escape when I want to so Hopefully me putting myself out there full force works.
That's so brave of you. I find it easier to push through things for the sake of my daughter. Concentrating solely on her (like literally concentrating on her face, her physical characteristics, her responses to situations) seems to help the panic subside. I also remember that she is a little sponge and she is watching ME for how I emotionally respond, which sometimes helps me to regain equilibrium. Although, on the flip side of that - I think it's totally ok for her to see me struggle too, because thats apart of life. Just so long as she sees that I'm trying and I'm facing it. Keep me posted with how you go - I'm sure your daughter will have an AMAZING time!!!
AnxietyMamma My oldest started to show signs of anxiety so I got him help & after that I decided it’s time to change my life because I don’t want my kids to end up house bound like me. Watching your video gives me hope that I will be like I was before agoraphobia came into my life. My goal is to get my kids to Disneyland.
Thank you so much for sharing..... i'm 4 months into agoraphobia and i often think of giving up because life seems so impossible. I hear, "you'll get better" from everyone around me, knowing they have no idea what i'm experiencing. It meant a lot that you shared your most vulnerable moments, the panic attacks, the crying & the doubts because it helped me relate to you. & then seeing how much you did after overcoming it all made me cry. Thank you..... seriously thank you.... Also were you taking any medication? Going to therapy? any thing you'd suggest with recovery?
I’ve been dealing with this for a few years and it becomes a little embarrassing sometimes because nobody knows what to do when your having a panic attack they just stare at you but I’ve come a long way since
Thanks for the video.. I hope one day I can be cured too. I take a benzo just to be able to get out and I hate that I have to rely on it. And just need more and more to be effective. I'm at my wits end lately and trying to figure everything out 😔
Aww I can understand that!! That is the downside to benzo's, that they lose efficacy after a while (among the other downsides, too!). I don't think I would define myself as 'cured'...I still panic for sure, I just don't run away from it or try to avoid it anymore. I think it was trying to find a way to fix myself that hindered more than helped, if that makes sense. If I could give you any advice it's don't try and figure things out. Just start doing something (anything!) and build momentum from there.
@@LaurenRose. Thank you, it's definitely hard, but yea I want to get to a better place eventually, thanks for the advice :)
ammmazing! 🏆
Would you say your hypnosis session catapulted your recovery ?
Not really. I only did one session in the end, and half of it I spent thinking about how much I needed to pee 🤣 But, it certainly motivated me, in the same way a great book or motivational talk would. It was a great little nudge in the right direction!
What is your home base after you travel overseas?
I am in Melbourne, Australia 😊
@@LaurenRose. I hope to travel just like you, in a few months, I’m gonna try to work hard
This is me now
How long does you suffer from agoraphobia. It is 100% cure
Please reply
You fully recovered from agoraphobia?
Hi Vishnu. I had fully recovered, although covid and the events of this past year has caused me to experience somewhat of a relapse in agoraphobia as a symptom. But I am getting back out there with exposure. It is definitely doable to recover from agoraphobia!
@@LaurenRose. how long does you suffer from agoraphobia
I was agoraphobic for about 4 years
@@LaurenRose. are you taking medicine now?
Yes, I am. 🤗