Agoraphobia - Looking to hear your experiences

[Snowie]

Hi @tyme 

Accountability is big for me too. If I have an appt. then I have to leave the house.

However, I feel ok leaving the house for most appointments. I know what to expect, who will be there, where I have to go, etc. Most of the time these appt's are MH related. The only appt. I have that isn't MH is the hairdressers. I've been seeing her for about 5 years now so feel somewhat comfortable with her.

It is the unknown that I get really anxious about. If I go somewhere, will I bump into someone, how many people will be around, will it be too busy, will I have flashback or dissociate, etc... 

It is defiantly something I need to work on. Leaving the house brings up a lot of emotions. A lot of the time it takes time, encouraging myself, prn's, self loathing, trying to calm myself down, lots of different things running through my mind.

Then each time something goes wrong when I'm out my agoraphobia gets a little worse.

[tyme]

Totally @Snowie .

I've got room for improvement too @Snowie . If I don't have to go out, I prefer not to.

[Snowie]

Me to @tyme I only go out if I really have to. Even then I get in and out as quickly as possible.

An example is food shopping. I get in, get what's on the list and get out. I always go to the same place so I know where everything is, so I don't have to wander around.

Very thankful for online shopping.

[tyme]

Totally.. and to be honest, at the shops, I always go to the self check outs so I don't need to speak to anyone... is that sad? @Snowie 

[Snowie]

I do the same thing @tyme with the self check outs.

Have also driven further so there is less chance I bump into someone that I know.

[tyme]

Yep! And I go early early in the morning or late at night so people do see me lol @Snowie 

I thought this was only me. And you know how you're 'supposed' to say hello to people you see on the street? I avoid them at all cost.

[Snowie]

I normally go early too @tyme 

I am rude and pretend that I don't see people I know. Or just turn around and go the other way.

Even gone into the toilets to avoid someone before.

[tyme]

To best honest, I don't go to the shops to makes friends so I don't care I'm rude or that I hide @Snowie . I just know I need to go home!

[Snowie]

Thanks for understanding @tyme 

It's nice to know I'm not alone and other people do similar things to me!

[tyme]

LOL. Yep! Certainly not alone there. I wonder if @Louie333  does something similar?

I'm pretty sure there are others out there who do the same lol