So happy to have found this site. I’m a 48 year old male. I have struggled with anxiety most of my life and have been agoraphobic for about the past 15 years. I’m what you would call a functioning agoraphobic. I make a living. I own a small business. I rarely go beyond my “safe zone” which is about 5 miles from my house. I want to live, I want to travel, I want out of this prison!!!
Hugs and welcome Craig! Have you ever tried therapy to see if you can extend your safe zone? Medication?
@CKBlossom I have been taking medication for almost 20 years for anxiety/ panic attacks/ and depression. I live in California and there is quite a bit of trafffic where I live, that does not help at all. I have been to therapy off and on for about 15 years, not much success there. Therapy is difficult to get now with the shortage of therapists and the overwhelming demand due to Covid and everything else going on. My insurance provides therapy but has no therapist, it’s crazy. I have private paid for therapist recently and I limited success for a lot of money. I know it sounds like a lot of excuses. Not my intentions. Just stating facts.
@craigthegray sounds like you are open to trying new things which is great. I am new here and trying to see if I can discover some new things I can try.
@HealingHeart7 I’m definitely open to trying new things. I’ve had a little success the past few weeks. After many years on the same medication (lexapro) I decided it was not really working and I wanted to try something different. I’m in the process of Tapering off of lexapro and switching to Effexor Xr. I’m responding really well to it. I have been able to do things I have not done in 10 years. I hope it last!