Agoraphobia, SAD (Social Phobia), Depression, Motivation

[Jon119]

Hi All,

I was in a bad state nearly a year ago - But managed to get through this somehow. Never really recovered, but was able to fight on. At preesent I have been diagnosed with depression and my Doctor seems to think that this is what is causing the agoraphobia and social phobia, plus lack of motivation. Basically, I find it very difficult to start my day, at work in high anxiety and feel I am being judged / watched. To stop for petrol in the garage usually means be being accompanied by my partner. And Shopping, well - frget it - Again, I go with my partner to tesco's, but it takes alot of energy to get out of the door to do this. so basically, for me to go anywhere where there are people (people I know or strangers) is a major problem. To re-cap, I believe my issues are:

Depression, Social Phobia, Generalised anxiety disorder, and lack of motivation / concentration

I really want to be comfortable to go outside on my own, yet find that I have a continuous dialogue of negative comments and thoughts that I am being watched - It seems this is a classic symptom of Social phobia and agoraphobia, just really want to stop all of this. I am currently on Fluoxetine 20 mg and have been now in week 8, not sure the impact this is having... Have had three counselling sessions and have even tried hypnotherapy with no success. Everyone keeps telling me I just have to go out there and do it - Yeah right, if it were that easy I'd done it already. I cannot afford to take time off work as at present I am the only income provider as my partner is off with depression (now into week 5) - so finances are real tight as you can imagine. If I could ask all what has helped? I am in a real dark place - I feel I am stuck in a groove and can't seem to get past to move on...

I am seeing a psychologist on 10th March and hope that somethign good will come out of this. I look forward to hearing
from you - any sugesstions woudl be so welcomed. Thanks Jon119

[Jitterbug]

All our problems stem from false beliefs, the hard part is finding out what those beliefs are and then the really hard part is changing that habitual thought pattern. you'll here "just get out there and do it" but its not that easy.. granted the more you do press your boundries the bigger your world will get. I struggle with this too. Just remember your not alone.

[Diana]

Hi

I'm new too, and i appear to suffer from similar to yourself. It's getting worse though. I've been on sertraline for about 7 weeks now, and it lifted the depression, but the anxiety is getting worse by the day. Up until last weekend i was at least able to take the kids out at the weekend with someone for a short while. But, last weekend i couldn't even do that.

I'm just about holding my job down, purely because i don't have enough work to do though. Desperate to get out of here, but i know i couldn't hold down any other job.

I am going to go back to my doctor and see if i can get my prescription increased.

Hang in there, 20mg seems low for the symptoms you're describing. My husband is on 40 of the same.

Di

[Explosie5150]

Hello, I am new here, and I've read alot of stories and yours is the only one that states you feel ppl are talking about you i.e. judging you. Atleast this is the first story I came upon stating this. which is a big relief to me cause I was beginning to think I was the only one feeling this way. I have been living with this problem for years. It's gotten so bad that I confined myself to my house. I go nowhere and know noone. I did have a BF who resently left me cause of my reacuring episodes of yelling and mean words I'd say to him over crazy things. Little stuff odd things and sometimes things I really don't know what I was upset about. He stuck with me for a long time taking the abuse I threw at him. But he could no longer take it and we parted on very bad terms. This needless to say has just made my depression even worse. My mom would tell me when i was younger that I'm gonna grow up old and alone. lol I'm starting to think she might be right. I envy that you have a partner who will stick through it all with you. I unfortionatly have not found the help I needed but I am still looking. I only resently went to the doctor last month and was prescribed Zoloft 50mg. This has not helped with my depression at all and only mildly helped with my anxiety. I am in the prcess of finding another doctor cause my last retiered. HA nice huh. I wish you and your partner the best of luck. Stick in there belive me I know it's damn hard I struggle myself, but I manage to keep the littlest bit of hope for something better that pushes me on word.

[natty]

i have the same issue, where i feel like people are looking at me n judge me all the time. i had agoraphobia since i was in high school. i go out n tried to do things, but never felt comfortable in a public places

[Pudderz1]

Hi.

I totally understand everything you're talking about as I was living in that same dark place you mentioned. I have struggled with agoraphobia and anxiety for years in total silence i told nobody because I was so ashamed and embarassed. I developed the tools it took to heal myself and so can you. I just joined this site and not sure how it works but I'd like to give my email address to help whoever I can but it won't let me. Any suggestions?

I'm here for you and I'm very hopeful I went through my experience so that I can help others. God bless.