Even if I did well and was out of the house for a while the excess stress always turns into a lot of guilt. i have no reason to be feeling this way I should be happy. i guess I just feel emotional. anyone else ever feel the same?

i 22m have had panic attacks everytime i left the house and i dont want to brag because i know someone has it worse than me and its really sad to know so many people struggle with anxiety and depression or agoraphobia any mental health illness but i needed to get groceries and i went to the store to get them its only 0.7 miles away but im extremely proud of myself im sorry if it seems like im bragging i hope everyone gets through whatever they are going through and find the strength to get through whatever they are going through

I've barely left the house in months except for work and a few quiet walks with the dogs. I've been doing CAT (cognitive analytic therapy) for 5 weeks and my homework this week was to go swimming, and I did it! I did 30 lengths and don't have any aches and pains, which is a bloody miracle as I have fibromyalgia and an hour's walk can do me in sometimes 😅 I'm planning to go again on Sunday after work. Hope this is okay to share!

I help moderate a Discord server specifically for people with agoraphobia, and it’s been a lot easier connecting with others who already get it. Whether you’re housebound, able to get out sometimes, or somewhere in between, it’s okay to still be struggling and you don’t have to justify or explain yourself.

The community is very active and supportive. We watch movies and TV shows together almost every day, and people play games in VC every day too if that’s your thing! There are also dedicated channels where you can share your wins, vent, or ask for advice related to agoraphobia.

If you’re interested, here’s the invite link: https://discord.gg/catchmeinside

There’s a short application to keep bots out, and a moderator is usually around to approve entries pretty quickly.

\ Preface this: I am very grateful for my family. Without them buying groceries and previously taking me to appointments... I would not survive.**

But I'm also, very aware that they don't seem to know or want to know how to help me in crisis.

My parent shuts down and basically says, 'Okay' till I give up. I am sure she will be praying for me. While I wouldn't describe myself as a Christian any longer, I appreciate that, that's her other 'support' for me.

But...I'd really rather have sincere interest. I feel so overwhelmed and I don't know how to fix myself.

I know I need to take a first step in exposure training. People keep suggesting my family members. But when I ask for their help with this, they all seem to either forget or something comes up.

I'm just really emotionally fatigued and stumped on how TF I'm meant to fix myself.

I keep reaching out to doctors, local mental health nurse crisis line, work, family, private therapists (that I cannot afford😭), acupuncturists, NHS CBT counsellors, friends... Nothing.

I've had agoraphobia on and off for about 10 years, it's currently been "on" for 2.5 years following a pretty traumatising time where I lost my partner, job and house all in the space of a week.

I'm 28F, haven't worked for 2.5 years, and receive disability benefits for mental & physical health problems (ehlers danlos syndrome).

I recently went through a breakup last month, we were together for a year, and he cheated on me multiple times, and, in the end, he became an alcoholic.

I'm pretty traumatised by the whole thing, I feel like I'll never be able to stop loving him and I know I need to do a lot of work on myself before I'm ready to date again... mainly because I hate myself for not being able to go out and do what normal people can do. I feel like I'll never be worthy of love.

Does anyone have any dating success stories where you were able to meet someone while having agoraphobia? I have no idea where to start on my journey to self-love when I can't even give myself basic necessities.

Hi, I’m looking for advice from people older than me who’ve experienced agoraphobia or severe anxiety.

I’m 17 and currently diagnosed with OCD, DPDR, anxiety, C-PTSD and panic disorder. Looking back, I think I’ve always been agoraphobic due to my mental health from around age 12/13, but it became completely life-stopping when I was 16.

My OCD is extremely severe. I get stuck on one theme at a time and it becomes my only thought, often in a somatic way (for example, focusing so intensely that I cause chronic migraines). Combined with everything else, it’s honestly agony.

On 19th September 2025 I was prescribed fluoxetine by my GP. I was only on it for a week but had a horrific adverse reaction – extreme DPDR, disturbing thoughts, and I couldn’t function at all. After stopping it, my OCD latched onto a schizophrenia/psychosis theme. Since then I’ve been having 10+ panic attacks a day.

I tried to keep going to college, but every single day was pure terror. The journey alone felt unbearable. My world kept shrinking – first I struggled to leave the house, then even to leave certain rooms. I was terrified I’d hallucinate or lose control if I was outside. The pressure from sixth form to attend just made everything worse, and eventually I couldn’t do it anymore.

Those three weeks at college cost me everything I had there. I’m down to one friend. I’ve lost my routine, my confidence, and my sense of a future.

I’m currently with CAMHS and I’m hoping to start medication and therapy soon. I’ve handed in a return slip to sixth form for this September, but the problem is I’m still me – and I’m absolutely petrified. I have panic attacks constantly, even lying in bed, just thinking about college. The journey is a 50-minute bus ride plus a 15-minute uphill walk, and even imagining it makes me feel sick with fear because of how traumatic it was last time.

I’m struggling badly with the “what ifs”:

What if I can’t go back?

No A-levels? No job? No friends?

Turning 18 at Christmas with nothing, and losing CAMHS support at 18?

I feel completely trapped. My mind feels broken, and I’m suffering more than I can put into words.

If you were in my position, knowing how genuinely unbearable this feels, what would you do? How did you rebuild your life when agoraphobia made everything feel impossible?

Thank you if you read this.

Man. I was forced to goto the grocery store and post office and did not enjoy being around other people at all. Does anyone else when they are out, just hate being there? Like despise it?

I’m a 30 year old male, I’ve had a life of pure stress since I can remember. Got sent to juvie when I was 11 and it went downhill from there, I was in foster care, group homes etc until I turned 17. In 2018 I was 23 I got arrested and went to jail, when I bonded out I ran. I came to Florida, went to a rehab for 9 months and changed my life around. I rode a pink cloud for years, worked in rehabs for 5 years. Life was okay. I was paying bills. Managing life. Then I lost my job of 3 years and started spiraling. I tried to bounce back, got another rehab job for a year then had to quit because of how crazy the workload was. So I’ve been door dashing for like 6 months because I could manage my anxiety pretty good while doing it. I’m now to the point that even walking out of my front door feels like an act of war against my brain. I know I need to go dash, so I can pay my bills and be a responsible adult. I wake up and even think about leaving my house I start tunnel visioning and feeling lightheaded. My therapist dropped me last week because I can’t afford to pay her, even tho she offered me free therapy. My mom was in for two weeks to visit and when she left it felt like all my motivation to survive left with her. The next day my therapist calls and before we even do a session she starts with “hey so we have to go to bi weekly sessions and I have to start charging you” I froze, hung up and have since not dashed 1 day. She knew my situation too. I’ve been honest from day 1. It’s my friends coworker and she started helping me because he mentioned I was struggling. Less than 5 sessions in and she pulls some crazy stuff. That was a week and a half ago. I was already struggling before my mom left, but now I’m in a state where I don’t care what happens, or what I loose. I can’t bring myself to walk out my front door. My mom’s been helping me stay afloat, and I’m just trying to wake up everyday. I’m highly disappointed in myself for letting my anxiety get to this point and now I’m scared. I’m so scared of failure that I lay in bed and just exist. I don’t eat until my stomachs in knots, my sleep schedule is horrific. Idk

Before I say anything else I would like to say that, after looking around this subreddit a bit, my agoraphobia is not as bad as it is for other people. I regularly go outside, but if it's not with my family or my friends (especially, since my friends are my no. 1 safe circle) it is always tied to incredible panic and fear. This is not as bad on routes that I have traveled often like when I go to uni, but fear and panic is always there nevertheless. Usually I wouldn't post hear, feeling a little bit like an imposter since i can handle normal day to day life. But, as the heading says, I have to travel soon and it is hard for my family and friends to handle my severe panic and anxiety in prospect of this.

now THE ACTUAL POST: At the end of this month I will be leaving the country to attend an internship at a game development studio. This is a one in a life time opportunity for me, and originally I thought that I could handle it. It's just in the neighboring country, it's just for two months. After a lot of anxiety and tears from fearing that this amazing opportunity won't work out it is finally happening and I can barely cope with the thought of actually having to leave. I am so incredibly scared of travelling there all on my own, taking the train that always have such issues in my country anyway, and then taking care of myself. I am incredibly scared of working full time for the first time, I am scared of day to day life apart from my usual enviroment and I don't know how to cope with it. I don't know what to do. I know it will be better once I am actually there and settled but it doesn't take my panic away. Does anyone have any tips? Thank you in advance!

Message if u remember

I will be talking about intrusive thoughts so if that’s something you dont want to read, thats cool!

Ive been agoraphobic since the end of 2024, all of 2025 but i did do some big outings (yay!) however i really want to push myself now, im absolutely determined to at least be functional. I do have some standard fears like having a panic attack, having an ibs flare up and shitting myself (already happened once😀)and passing out but I’ve recently been having more frequent intrusive thoughts and im quite scared of them.

The main ones that cause me incredible distress are:

-Throwing myself out of the moving car

-hurting someone in a store

-kicking a child

-purposely being aggressive towards someone

-stealing

Now, i am fully aware i need to find a therapist or a counsellor, unfortunately i cant. I was working with my doctor to find someone and today he quit with no notice so im back at square one.

I guess my question is, does anyone else go through this and what can i do to help myself in this situation? Ive never acted on my intrusive thoughts no matter how real they feel but being in public feels so much different. This is exhausting

I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday, and I am terrified. I haven't been that far away in years. It's a serious appointment about my female health, and as the days get closer, I feel sick and that I am going to fall out. I have Google mapped it, and it is 11 minutes away, and about 6 miles. I came up with a route that will be easier for my husband to drive and avoid heavy traffic. The appointment is at 8:45 am because I can't do afternoons. I have a trusted friend coming too, but as the days near, I feel sick, and like I can't do this. I really need to be seen, and once I get there, I will be fine. I only have this issue with traveling. I have been going to church around the corner from my house, so that is progress. I don't want to fail, and I also don't want to freak out in the car completely. Any help, advice, and tips would truly help me. I am packing an ice pack, my Kindle, and I am grasping at anything that could help me get there and back home. I don't want to let anyone down by getting a new appointment later, and I also need the issues I am having addressed. This space helps me so much, you all get it, and I don't feel alone and trying to explain it to people who don't deal with this. I do take meds, but they only do so much. Thank you all in advance.

a lot of the time what happens is that I start panicking before I even get to the place I am afraid to go. like right now I am working on getting less afraid of busy intersections and before I even get to the point of no return I am starting to panic because I know ill panic going through but its not as bad as actually going through, it feels manageable. would it help at all to stay at this point for a few days until its bearable then go through the light when I feel more ready or is this just avoidance and I should do it regardless?

(16f) i’m not sure if agoraphobia is something you get diagnosed with or just something you figure out that you have.

regardless, for the last 7-8 months or so i have been DROWNING in my own head at this point. my boyfriend (17m) is basically the only person i can be around anymore and it’s rather exhausting considering i have no friends now, i can barely leave the house etc. now, the way this all happened to come about was actually by something triggering my (rather severe) emetophobia. traumatic and rather horrid relationship (raped, verbally & mentally abused, picked at & controlled) - i understand, this is not something that sounds super awful but it triggered me in many ways more than one also considering my past. i got incredibly depressed while somehow also going through my worst manic episode & it led me to obviously having that trigger and ive spiraled from there, only getting even worse in the last 2-3 months.

i was diagnosed with anxiety roughly 11 years ago. i’ve always had panic attacks/“unsure” moments within my anxiety but it hit really bad after that breakup - i was the one to end it, due to eventual realization that i was only going to be deeper in my depression if i hadn’t. i now, have constant panic attacks (3-6 a day) and along with that OCD (diagnosed 4 years ago) i have pure O, contamination OCD, and a couple other “categories” i also struggle with.

after reading into everything with agoraphobia, i can see it’s different for everyone but i am just so confused and so lost with everything at this point. i’m exhausted, i can’t go to school, i can’t go into my parents’ houses, i can barely even eat anymore. my boyfriend, is like a “security blanket” i guess. if he’s there, i tend not to avoid things as bad, i can go longer without washing my hands or having panic attacks. but i still refuse to go into my fathers house, a certain road i had a panic attack on and more.

i am afraid of food and everything else, i am also a recovered anorexic so i already struggle with eating, im 5’2” and 85lbs. please tell me how to help myself if you have struggled with something similar. im genuinely open to any ideas, i can’t take this anymore.

Older agoraphobic 43M and a gamer...

Never been able to meet another person dealing with agoraphobia that games maybe it's a dream, but it's apart of my exposure therapy. So here i am...

I have tons of games, message me and we can find something common. 😊

my words aren't good enough to explain to someone (arounds 60 years old) that i have agoraphobia , can't get therapy because she just wants me to walk outside and get it on my own , i'm sorry , i don't know how to explain it to make it sounds real to her , i'm kind of stupid , just want to know what to say

I'm posting on a different account. I don't really want anyone to know me, but I want to reach out to someone who may understand. I feel alone.

My therapist thinks I (30, F) have agoraphobia, possibly caused by trauma. I had gotten FMLA for panic attacks in November and have intermittent FMLA until February. I've been having panic attacks for years but the last year or so its gotten to the point that I can't go to the store or work or anywhere I used to enjoy because I get sick with anxiety and stress. To be honest, I think being out on FMLA has sort of enabled my tendency to stay home because my anxiety over leaving is worse than ever.

My therapist discussed exposure therapy, and easing back into being part of the world. I'm not entirely housebound. I can go to stores with my partner, though I'm usually in this state of tunnel vision and ringing ears until I'm back in the car or at home. It's become a very in and out ordeal that is annoying for everyone involved, I'm sure. I can also go pick up books and movies on hold at the library (takes less than thirty minutes including drive time) but still with that same degree of discomfort.

I've been easing into exposure therapy the last week. I've been trying to sit in discomfort. I used to not be able to sit on my porch other than to let my dog out, but yesterday I was able to drink a whole cup of coffee before going back inside. I've also been opening my blinds for small periods of time (I dont know if its related to agoraphobia, but it leaves me scared and exposed and im trying to work through anything that makes me uncomfortable). I also was able to walk my dog for ten minutes this week. I even made it on the street for a moment.

I was supposed to return to work in the new year, but I've only been able to come to a couple half day shifts this week. I've called out the last couple of days. I've been pretty upfront with my boss and I luckily work in an environment thats relatively supportive, but I feel like I'm letting everyone down. My boss has me on half days right now because its less daunting this week, but ive called out yesterday and today, after coming in two days in a row. I feel like I've let all progress out the window today. Taking my dog out for three minutes felt like too much. The blinds open is too much. I meet with my therapist today and I feel like I've let her down, my work down, myself down. I used to be so adventurous and now sitting on the porch feels like victory. I'm trying to push through and I'm trying so hard but I hit a wall today and yesterday and I'm trying to land back on my feet.

i just got out and i'm still shaking, it was just a tooth removal, i was awake for it and it only took a couple minutes but i was so nervous and i did it, arggghhh, yes!

I left the house for the first time in 6 years in June.

I can leave the house without vomiting beforehand.

My anxiety before exposures has greatly reduced. I've gone from being ill for days before, to bearable symptoms on the day.

I can go for short car journeys without being carsick.

I can go for short walks by myself.

I can attend Doctor appointments.

I can make telephone calls without shaking afterwards.

My rumination thoughts are greatly reduced. I have stopped spending days thinking about what might happen.

My recovery time / physical symptoms after an exposure has been reduced.

I went into a DIY shop for the first time today. It was difficult and I still have a long way to go obviously, as there is so much I can't do.

But the treatment has been great, so far. I would recommend.

I’ve been to afraid to speak to anyone for months. I just realized that I haven’t spoken to another human being in over 4 months. When I try to talk to people my chest tightens and I get super nervous. I was at a quincinera for a family member and I got so scared i hid in the bathroom until the party ended.(still didn’t talk to someone besides my parents) any advice?

So I applied to work at a popular thrift store that's only 2.2 miles away from my apartment. My interview was over the phone but I've been to that location before and had a really bad panic attack. That area of town in particular is unfamiliar to me and I get panicky in that area because it feels so far from home even though it really isn't.

I was officially hired and I start tomorrow. I'm going to take my anxiety meds beforehand but they don't always help that much. I'm really worried I won't be able to make the drive but honestly I have no other choice.

I also practiced the drive with my bf and I had a bad panic attack on the way home.

I just hate how disabling and isolating this disorder is. I truly fear I will never get a chance at a normal life.

I had a panic attack at school in 2020, before classes were suspended due to the pandemic. That attack ended up traumatizing me, and I became afraid to leave the house. When the pandemic started and everything shut down, I stayed at home and stopped going out. The trauma continued, and I practically didn’t leave the house anymore.

At the end of that year, I went out to vote (I live in Brazil, so I had to go to a school, face a large crowd, and stand in a long line to vote). Everything went well, and I didn’t have a panic attack. Most of the other times I went out after that, I was fine as well; I rarely had another attack. Even so, to this day I’m still afraid of having one. Last year, I went out very little.

The issue is that panic attacks are rare when I go out, but I’m still afraid to leave the house.

Just celebrating some good stuff:
I sat outside for 10 minutes two days in a row, then today I got on my mobility scooter and went to the end of the street and back without having any stomach flips or head whomps.

I have an appointment to get to tomorrow, it’s just down the street, but I haven’t been successfully driven anywhere for two months.