Agoraphobia

The clinical psychologist told me that I was fortunate that my GP had referred me to a clinical psychologist directly, as some patients had arrived after having been referred to a psychiatrist and the psychiatrist had realised the patient did not need a psychiatrist and transferred the patient to a clinical psychologist.

I remember there were three chairs in the room. The clinical psychologist's chair and two patient chairs, side by side, perhaps for a couple or for someone and a companion.

I, going in to the consulting room (but not travelling there) alone, always sat in the same chair. The chairs were different colours.

One day I said that when I felt better I would sit in the other chair. I don't know why I said that. Some goal for me, I don't know.

When I got better, the clinical psychologist had remembered this and asked if I wanted to move to the other chair.

I said no, it doesn't matter now.

Thank you. I'm not at the stage where I'm not going out yet. I had an incident this week where my hands started to shake - I'm not ill, it's nerves. I was out in a crowded place and I had a drink in my hand and it went everywhere - all over my coat, dress and the floor. Fortunately it was white wine which didn't show but I am now in dread of it happening again.

Yes! Started with panic attacks when out (first one on a Thames riverboat trip) which made me feel it was safer not to go out. At first, I was given pills, probably Valium. I had such a bad reaction I stopped it, otherwise I wonder if I could have become addicted (late 70s). Over the years, I’ve had various forms of counselling, read loads of book and listened to many other stories. I always feel I’m not a good Mum as there were days when I just could not go out or even drop them off somewhere. Both my DDs are in their forties now and wonderful, balanced mums to our 5DGC.
I am trying very hard now not to let it all creep back, but being depressed and living in a rather cliquey village, it is often easier to stay at home. One of the reasons we have a dog, is to encourage me to go out every day. Lockdown has not helped, now we can go out, it’s sometimes a real effort to step over the front door threshold. Kate do you have a friend who could go out with you to places that you like (doesn’t have to be far from home, park, favourite shop) and when you are a little more confident, go to wherever the incidents happened? I always tried to do that on my own after panic attacks, because if I hadn’t, I would have given up ever going there again. I’m sorry your GP seemed so unsympathetic, try self referral (although probably a long waiting time if as our area and the number of sessions are limited). Breathing exercises can help too. Please don’t let your anxiety escalate.

Try to stand at the door for a few minutes and tomorrow progress into your garden ,If you can go a little farther every couple of days without panicking it wll give you the confidence to go further.
Good luck with it ,I have agrophobia when I get stressed ,the above was suggested by a mental health nurse that saw me at home a few years ago.It did work but take it slowly .

Thank you TryingtoHelp. Yes I do believe it is stress overload. A person can only take so much and then something has to give. Thanks everyone.

Kate1949

I think I may be developing this condition. My anxiety seems to be progressing to not wanting to go out after a couple of embarrassing incidents. My GP gave me beta blockers (after looking at me as though I was mad). They were useless. Has anyone suffered like this?

Yes. Many years ago.
My GP suggested an NHS Clinical Psychologist. A Clinical Psychologist is not a Psychiatrist, the two are different.
My GP arranged it.
Fortunately it got activated in about a week.
Various meetings.
Very helpful.
What really helped was one day the clinical psychologist had a recently got book.
In case any clinical psychologist you may meet might recognise the book, it was thick, about an inch and a quarter or more and had the word Agoraphobia in large letters all along the spine.
I was handed two or three pages of photocopied pages from the book, a section headed Client's Guide.
It really really helped.
One thing, I wondered if I was going mad. I asked. I was told it is not madness. It is the mind and body's reaction to too much going on.
There was too much going on for me. A combination of two unrelated stressful situations happening at about the same time.
Here is some sunshine for you

Thank you *Grandmashe".

Remember Kate All Things Must Pass, (our George) said it and it did for me, I had agoraphobia , had horrid panic attacks outside, and In shops , all over the place.
My girls were young and it was a nightmare,antidepressants worked for me, took a while, but I got there.
Be kind to yourself, one day and one step at at time.
Sending you my very best wishes.

Thank you Fanny. I will investigate self referral.

Yes. Antidepressants helped for me.
Others find CBT helpful.
Can you self refer for talking therapy?
Speak to your GP
Good luck Kate