Agoraphobia - Looking to hear your experiences

[Snowie]

Hi @Louie333 

Thank you for allowing us to hear your journey. I can see that you have gone through so much in your life. 

I am also doing EMDR with my psychologist. I am relatively new to it so not sure how much it is helping.

There is no pressure to answer this post nor is there a time limit.

[tyme]

@Louie333 , I just want to say how grateful I am that you shared. It gives me a much deeper understanding of agoraphobia in its severity.

I hope others will gain much insight into your experiences, and also share their experiences.

I really appreciate you sharing. It's given me a lot of food for thought.

[Louie333]

@Snowie I think EMDR is really helpful when it works. What I find is that some sessions don't feel as though they are immersive for whatever reason, maybe not fully present, not the right subject.

The sessions that do work truly do feel like a shift. 

Maybe that's like all therapy, starts, stops and breakthrough's. I feel that things pop up that otherwise may not during the non EMDR sessions , even that seems a positive.

I hope you do find your EMDR is beneficial. Takes time to get used to, that's for sure.  

[Louie333]

@tyme Thanks, Really grateful you and @Snowie shared too. Agoraphobia certainly becomes a little less lonely when you know you are not alone.

I hope others will feel comfortable sharing too😊

[Snowie]

@Louie333 I'm hoping that EMDR does help. I do find I have to be in the right head place to do it. Such as when I'm really distressed I find I can't do it. Maybe that's a good thing anyway.

I'm sure there are others that can relate to the agoraphobia. I do think it is something that started when I was young, I just didn't know what it was called then.

[Louie333]

I agree with you, sometimes I think if you are too distressed it's impossible to focus enough for EMDR. My last session was like that, far too anxious to even focus properly on the movement let alone the thoughts. Rather than waste a session, I am now going to tell my psychologist it's not going to be productive if it is one of those days. Seems like a waste of a session when sometimes talking is a better therapy in the moment. 

It's hard with agoraphobia and pinpointing why it starts. Have you read On Agoraphobia by Graham Caveney? Not for everyone but in reading all of his books, the progression and overcoming his agoraphobia is insightful. 

[tyme]

Interesting @Louie333 . I've never heard of that book. I'll keep my eye out for it.

Also, I looked up the PARC services... looks like it's mainly Vic and QLD only. Definitely work asking the next time you see a MH professional though.

[Louie333]

HI @tyme There are not too may autobiographical accounts of agoraphobia. I relate to this one, partially because of the way he weaves his love of literature through the book and also because he has a sharp sense of humour. 

The book I find most helpful as far as useful strategies is The A.C.E.R. Method by Jimmy Doan.

I have given a copy of this to a few people.

Thank you for looking up the PARC services. Nothing like that here. A very good excuse to move back to Vic!

[Snowie]

I've never heard of either of those books @Louie333 

Will have to look them up. I'm always up for reading different books.

I hope your day goes well today

[tyme]

How are things going @Snowie @Louie333 ?

What do you think will be helpful in terms of your agoraphobia? 

For me, accountability was the biggest thing in that if I had an appointment, then I HAD to get out of the house... even if I didn't feel like it.