Other Agoraphobia?

[Megan]

Is agoraphobia part of PTSD?

i have some traits of agoraphobia... such as feeling sick unable to leave the house most days. Its horrible.

 

[Sazza]

I am no expert but agrophobia i would imagine is a different diagnosis in itself. I guess though it depends on why you are struggling to leave the house? is it in relation to the trauma or bnad experience you have had? obviously i don't know you and know if you have been through a trauma but if so the agrophobia could form part of the PTSD in the sense of if you are avoiding leaving the house because of triggers and because you are scared becuase of what has happened.

Following the incidents i experienced i went through a spell where i didn't want to leave the house because of fear. Avoidance is part of the criteria for PTSD but i would imagine full blown agrophobia would be a different diagnosis in its own right. I am no expert though only a qualified professional can diagnose and advise you on this but thats my penny worth or take on it. Hope it makes some sense.

 

[anthony]

Yes, agoraphobic traits are normal parts of PTSD. You would only be diagnosed agoraphobic if you needed to be treated specifically for it, or insurance, or IF it existed prior to trauma.

Otherwise, very normal for PTSD... more you would say, isolating than agoraphobic itself.

 

[Megan]

my trauma is/was caused by a person lying and getting me thrown in jail for some thing i didn't do. i don't know why i have trouble leaving the house but when and if i do get out i am okay. it's the trouble of literally getting out of the house. It feels to me like there is an invisible boulder in front of me that i can not move for some reason I do not know. I am on zoloft. Just started taking it yesterday. I was on cymbalta since September 8th to October 14th. Nothing really changed except my mind isn't AS blank as it used to be. but i'm more tired but can't sleep. it's a tiredness that is inside my head. i haven't been able to sleep in over a year and I unconsciencly think about death. i don't know why. :(

 

[hoping-to-heal]

I fought with this for a few years, it was pretty confusing. I thought it was just how I was turning out, but other people started to notice it wasn't normal. I felt like everyday life was too hard, and it was easier to hide where no one could see me struggling with life. I am okay being outside, I think it was more of a social phobia, I thought everyone could see how pathetic that (I felt) I was.

The longer I penned myself up, the longer it took me to want to get back out. I went pretty loony too, my thoughts were distorted delusional, and I suffered a great deal of paranoia. Looking back I can see that now, but I didn't really see it or take it seriously then. I could go weeks not leaving my house and could be pretty content in doing so...but the longer I avoided these problems the worse they got...it definitely doesn't go away that's for sure.

I knew there was something wrong with me after a while, and the biggest reason for getting help was because of my kids. If it wasn't for them, I don't even want to think where I'd be...they made me love myself again.
One thing I will always remember is that, no matter how far down the wrong path I go, I can always turn around.

 

[AngelaMarie]

I have problems with it pretty often. It always is centered around me not feeling safe enough to be around people or being afraid of what may happen outside the home. I know it is part of my PTSD.

 

[Srain]

I can sure relate to this subject. Looking back I can see bouts of it throughout my life. Mostly when I didn't want to face life because I felt so different and the "fear" of that. Then at times it was all out "terror" of an actual person or persons that might have been in the area cruising around looking for me - this taken to the point of paranoia and finding my 'comfort zone' getting smaller and smaller sometimes to the point of being my bedroom.

It takes work to expand that zone. Work it out to the livingroom, to the patio, to the mailbox, down the street, etc. Easy to say, but difficult to do, in my experience at various times, depending on what has set it off for me.

My heart goes out to you,
peace,
Rain

 

[The Albatross]

Relate... it sure does take work. I do it slowly and systematically... these next months I'm in a class with my husband (10 weeks) in a group of about 20... and today I'm going to an orientation class solo. But it has taken me a while to get that far, and I'm better, but not really comfortable. I feel the pull to stay safely ensconced in my home. But am up to 5-6 days a week with one full "at home" day.

The key thing for me was what was I gonna reinforce? The urge to isolate or the uncomfortable but necessary getting out in the world? Last year I had 4 days "out" and 3 home days. Beginning of this year I had two half days and one full day home and the rest... out. Now as I'm ending this year, I've got 1 half day that is "flex" (an "I can change my schedule and be at home if I need to for half a day" thing) and one down at home day. Learning and practicing consistent stress management has helped me a lot. It can get better, with practice... small things first. I started in my back yard with a cup of coffee on the back stoop for 10 minutes... and well... though not entirely "comfortable and at ease"... it has been a gradual process where I gave myself time to "get used to one thing" before adding the next. You got support here if you want to work through it.

 

[melody]

Then at times it was all out "terror" of an actual person or persons that might have been in the area cruising around looking for me - this taken to the point of paranoia and finding my 'comfort zone' getting smaller and smaller sometimes to the point of being my bedroom.

I can definitely relate to this, and there are days when I don't leave the house, but I keep my curtains closed on really bad days so I can utilize the whole house.

 

[IsisDC]

I sometimes don't leave the house for days at a time. I am trying to take classes now at my local community college, one class I have to attend once a week and one is an online class that they offer.

Some times I cannot make it into the class I am supposed to attend, so I have worked out a way to get the work done and to my teacher anyway.

It can be so hard. When I open the door even to get the mail the whole world is crashing around me and terror is in my whole body.

 

[Lionheart]

Megan,

I was diagnosed with agoraphobia...

I do not isolate myself as much as I used to, but I am still not thrilled with being out in public places where there are more than a few people gathered because I sense that I am outnumbered physically and I have to keep an eye on the exits in case I have to get away really fast. I especially hate going to a public place where I have never been before. I force myself to deal with those phobic situations, but I do so reluctantly and cautiously. :sneaky:

However, it used to be so bad that I would not leave the house and I would also cross the street just to avoid having to face another person who might be walking on the same side of the sidewalk. Now I hold my head up and will not alter my path, so it has gotten much better for me over time and I hope the same for you. :)

 

[Countrygent]

I have a great deal of trouble going out of the house. It is exhausting and when away from home I feel a powerful emotional "pull" to get back inside and into bed, or perhaps a hot bath.

Going out to things I have to do - doctors, social events, shopping, leaves me empty and without energy. sometimes taking days to rebound. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the anxiety and triggers of PTSD and disassociation, where being at home and curled up is "safe", and going out among strangers, or in busy environments is "unsafe".

Completely at odds with my logical, intelligent mind, but try convincing my nervous system and unconscious mind that the outside world is safe. Having coped for decades by suppressing my emotions, then had a nervous collapse and fighting high anxiety symptoms for several years it is very frustrating, also isolating and feeds co-morbid depression.

The procrastination to go out is obvious too - dressing, washing, getting organized is very slow, and if I try and speed up I forget things like my wallet or phone, the address I am going to - I suppose the anxiety of going out causes confusion and disrupts clear thinking. Things like packing for a trip are very difficult and trying. I try and remind myself it is just a symptom and hopefully in time will ebb away. But I sure hate not being able to be normally active, out and about and enjoying life.:(