I'm OK with the agoraphobia. I've kind of made peace with it. I'm a 48 year old male. Been this way for almost 20 years. It has intensified since the pandemic. I live alone with my dog. I go a week or more at a time without any contact with another human being. Not a fan of social media. It's nice to be here among those who understand what it's like. My biggest challenge now is supporting myself. Can't do the in-person jobs and I live out in the middle of nowhere with internet service that is not sufficient for most work from home employers. Have a good therapist now who is focused on the agoraphobia. Had a few in the past who generalized it as anxiety and didn't really get the agoraphobia part. It's not very well understood by many in the mental health world.
Wow, I am not familiar with Agoraphobia but it sounds awful. I am glad that you were able to get a good therapist, Its definitely helps when you have someone who understands what you are going through. Is there help or hope for you to at least partially recover? What does it feel like?
@CanUSeeTheRealMe I guess for me, and i’m sure i’m probably in the minority on this one, but for me it’s not something that i see as a problem. After 20 years, it’s an undeniable part of who i am. There’s not any drive to go out and be “normal” so it’s not something that I’m trying to “recover” from. Becoming your own best friend is a superpower but it’s not an easy one at all. Letting go of the need to be liked and the need to be surrounded by people who get it are hard habits to break. And it’s 180 degrees contrary to what we tell people they need in order to be “well”. But that’s the secret. Of course, i may be a happy agoraphobic, but that doesn’t change the fact that my struggle to survive is real. What it feels like is peace when i’m home. When i have to go out, it’s unpleasant. For me, anxiety, profuse sweating, etc. But, it is what it is. I am who i am. That’s been what works for me is accepting that and finding the right fit in the way of a therapist who is openminded enough to respect my self-advocacy.
I'd also like to know what level of this disease you fall into and what your therapist is directing you to do to recover bc I've kind of dealt with it a little.
I feel it can go hand in hand with ADHD and of course social anxiety.
Mine is concentrated in dealing with employment. As most typical jobs don't have room for creativity, work shifts become so mundane and monotonous as I've changed numerous job atmospheres in the last 20yrs.
That all leads to apathy, little room for bonus or advancement which makes my irrational brain think "maybe it would be easier to just not go there"...really had to fight this especially since covid.
congrats on seeking a therapist who is specific.
@Littlesis7 I appreciate it. See my other reply. i think it’s relevant to your question. Mundane and monotonous. Two of my favorite words when it comes to describing much of what we call “employment” these days. I think we all yearn for doing something we enjoy and something we are passionate about. The couple of times in my life where i was able to achieve that, it was fleeting unfortunately. I think a lot of people’s issues stem from a dissatisfaction with what they “do for a living”, agoraphobic or not. I agree that since covid, things have gotten exponentially worse for us agoraphobics though. I would like to see more work from home jobs that don’t require the elaborate internet connection setup. I live in a remote area where that’s not possible. We’ll see. I know how you feel though. i have felt that apathy before. I’m a minimalist and i’m content with solitude for extended periods of time. I don’t feel any apathy now but i do feel some concern over how i’ll be able to continue to pay bills if i don’t find some type of good fit employment wise.
I feel like this is me sometimes, you have to accept yourself for who you are. if you are an introvert its okay.
@anxiouscursivecat I am definitely and introvert and I am started to try to accept that. I am in a social situation this week because I travelled to visit my son and my oldest daughter is getting married tomorrow. I feel like a fish out of water but I am coping and just trying to get through.