my agoraphobia is really bad right now...

[Rising Phoenix]

and I have a therapy appointment tomorrow, problem: I don't know how I will work up the nerve to take the bus down there, its been a real problem lately... I can't keep missing appts., but the stress of forcing myself to go is making me sick...

[DemExpat]

1. This time of year is bad for lots of issues like this IMO....

I guess you have no way of having someone give you a ride in their car, or that you take a cab....?

If you have medication for anxiety I would use it to get to the appointment.....

Otherwise do some self-hypnosis type psyching yourself out to do it, but oh, do I know how utterly stressful this all can be, Mrs. Sniffa.

Do try to keep the appointment though - see if someone can go with you - if that helps at all....

I used to carry a book on Panic Attacks with me when I ventured out because I felt it as a great support having those words on me that were so understanding and supportive. Having a bottle of water to sip and suck on :-) also relieved the dry mouth of anxiety with me and helped prevent full-blown attacks.

I also would avoid being in a rush by going early to appointments, or picking a time to travel by bus when it might not be so crowded, as crowdedness enhanced my anxiety.

:hug:

DemEx

[Rising Phoenix]

2. thanks for responding...

I do have medication for anxiety...it just seems like lately it barely takes the edge off, the water idea is good, always a big help, and I do go about an hour early, if I were to be running late...watch out...still... it is so hard... I hate this...

[DemExpat]

3. It sounds hollow....but pushing on through this is the only way out...

in my experience.

To get past the awful helplessness you either have to give yourself some major pep talking, get mad as hell and damn the phobia/panic, or give up the fight/flight response entirely and quietly but firmly announce that you have every right to be ............(fill in the blank).
This last thought tactic worked the best for me, daring the panic to try to defeat me, while telling myself sincerely that I had a right to be here! Once on a bus I felt the familiar symptoms of a looming freak out rising and just the silent words to myself that I was entitled to be on this bus at this time and to experience it as just that - a bus ride - sent the panic packing and I was overcome by a deep sense of peace. Ahhhh, that was an eye-opener and a peak experience! :D

Keep us posted if you like, and tell us how it goes. Hope you find your effective tools soon.
Maybe it will help just knowing there are people here who do deeply understand.

DemEx

[Rising Phoenix]

4. I didn't make it...

couldn't face the outside world just yet today...I was up all night...my mom keeps asking, "Can't they give you a pill for that?" I wish!

[DemExpat]

5. Too bad, dear.....

try to get some good sleep tonight and take another step tomorrow.

:hug:

DemEx

[Rising Phoenix]

6. thanks...

I get to try again next Thursday...fingers crossed...thanks for the hug:hug:

[DemExpat]

7. Another tidbit from my experiences....:-)......

maybe take the bus a couple of times before next Thursday - just for one or 2 stops - and get off when you want to.

I did this to get used to the bus experience after a long time of abstinance. :D

Oh, but I just had the thought that busses here in European cities stop every few minutes at a stop, while I remember busses in Houston only stopping after long distances, so don't know how it is there where you live....
:shrug:

:hi:

DemEx

[Maraya1969]

9. I've had sessions over the phone. I know that must happen more

than one thinks especially with agoraphobia. You can ask your therapist.

[EFerrari]

8. When I felt like that, my meds weren't right.

:(

There are many things I can do on my own and there are some things I can't do on my own. If the tiny bit of meds I take are right, the things I can do on my own multiply by a factor of a brazillion.

I never liked taking pills but, in my case anyway, they helped me get out from under my damn chemistry.

(I feel like I should register as a lobbyist for Big Pharma! Lol!)

:hug: to you, Mrs. Sniffa. When I pushed through, I booked my family for a trip to the Grand Canyon and felt very at peace once seated on the overlook.

:P