Agoraphobia and COVID-19

Agoraphobia and COVID-19

[Catalaxiia]

That what I said to my friend : So its hard to stay home for you... Imagine NOT BEING ABLE to get out when everyone can.

That what I live with everyday.

[Ghost]

I have general and social anxiety, as well as agoraphobia. For me personally, the pandemic has been both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that if I go out, there are less people around. People are usually distancing themselves on the streets, though not so much in stores. I now have a reason not to go to big family events that would typically raise my anxiety. These are some of the reasons it has been good. On the flip side, the pandemic has greatly increased my anxiety levels. Of course most of us (presumably) would already fear the potential of catching Covid-19 and whether we would be ok or not. I'll include the state of politics, social media, and pretty much all negativity that has made its way into these past couple years, because even that can add to our anxiety. Because of my anxiety issues, I've resorted to online grocery shopping as to avoid going into stores myself, though it is more costly to pay a service and the shopper, as well as the store's increased online prices. Even if I do brave shopping, I have someone with me. Music helps to cope. I avoid public transportation if possible, as it tends to give me the most anxiety. I wouldn't wish agoraphobia on anyone. However as many are getting a glimpse into what it can feel like, it is good to know that at least there is some more understanding for the disorder.

[Pari_Pixie]

I thought I’d be able to handle the pandemic like a champ. With anxiety/panic disorder and agoraphobia I felt like I was training for it my whole life.
BUT. I had gotten a lot better prior to the pandemic. At first I didn’t realize staying at home was harming me. Now it’s 2023 and I’m scared to death of leaving my house and my anxiety is the worse it’s ever been. It’s debilitating now. And my health has declined significantly.
And there’s no help now because now no one wants to do Telehealth even though it was available pre pandemic