How are you now? Texas man with agoraphobia on how far he's come

Cecil Jackson's agoraphobia diagnosis at the age of 19 had caused him to live in fear and away from the public. Now, he's facing those fears in the hopes of living life to its fullest. David Begnaud has more.

#mentalhealth #health #news

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

[pedrodionisio]

Trust me, a person who took control of their anxiety is a badass. You literally have to decide to go to war with it, let it hit you hard in order to train your senses how to deal with it. It's hard, it's scary but everyone can do it. Also, because not talking about it when it's happening adds to the anxiety, exposing it disarms it in a way.

[whitney]

“I couldn’t heal And hide simultaneously.” Powerful. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[cjackson]

I’m glad agoraphobia is being brought to light. A lot of people suffer from this in silence it’s not talked about like other mental health disorders. He is brave and I hope he can live a fulfilled life.

[Ky-xnud]

“I’m learning to go to war just to be here.” This whole video made me tear up. To be a black man and acknowledge your mental health and then work on it is so inspiring. Thank you.

[SICresinwrks]

This man is lucky to have a family that understands and is supportive, not many people are lucky enough to have that when going through this.

[relativerust]

This is such a debilitating condition. I really felt that when he talked about missing monumental events in his friends and families lives. The worst part is that so many people roll their eyes .. sometimes family will think you are just being dramatic or lazy. Most people can't relate to the kind of disorder that prevents you from leaving your home.

[goddessdejour]

One of my uncles had this. It took him nearly 30 years to get to the point where he could work. Until the day he died that was the only thing he could do - walk to work, work his job, and walk back home. His fear even prevented him from attending my mom’s funeral but he was able to attend his wife’s. This is awesome 😎 So happy for this guy 👏🏽

[bleepbloop]

I struggle with anxiety. The idea of going to the grocery store makes sense as a form of exposure therapy. The idea of going to the grocery store with a camera crew filming you and drawing attention to you feels more like full scale immersion therapy, like learning to swim by jumping into shark infested waters lol.

Good for him, good job and a relatable story.

[everythingalyb]

“I’m okay with being afraid and still doing it.” 😩🙌🏾

[LifeWithMeesh]

“I couldn’t heal and hide simultaneously” Profound ❤️

[leslieh]

Handsome, well spoken man ... the world needs you! Inspiring!

[lolacookie]

So glad they gave an update on this man. His story resonated and has clearly inspired many others who are suffering in silence.

[GypsyTheGoatOnTube]

I suffered w/agoraphobia for 25 years. Had no help, just me. Saw a movie w/ bill murray where he always said "baby steps". Thats what i did. It IS a prison. My life is much better now.

[snicklefritz]

First had anxiety attacks at age 22 and slowly became housebound...literally. I still don't do my own grocery shopping because the store is so big it is overwhelming, but can do it as long as someone else is with me. I have adapted and adjusted as far as I will be able to. I am 73. Agoraphobia is about avoiding what we think will hurt us as if there some danger outside of us at every moment. We have to retrain our focus, talk to ourselves about our reactions to stimuli, both external and internal. We are hypersensitive. Some say we are empaths, so we feel everything and it gets overwhelming, then expands when we react with fear.

[slimbaby]

This is me. 🥺🥺 (not literally) I honestly cannot leave my house unless it’s for food/grocery pick-up. I work from home, have 2 more semesters in college (online classes) and have THE WORST anxiety when faced with going out outside of that. 😣 I’m missing out on a lot, also. I’m glad he’s faced his fears… I need to do the same.

[lavender]

"Feelings are not facts, " "Feelings are not the ultimate authority"... Amen! Feelings are good, but we need learn how to not have them overtake us and rob us of opportunities and experiences. Great story! Congratulations to Jackson for the awesome progress you have made. God bless the caring and dedicated therapists. May God bless Jackson with strength and peace as he continues on to his path to freedom!

[Toptierenergy]

I don’t even know him & I’m beyondddd proud of him! 🙌🏽

[mpatel]

"Everything I needed was already inside of me." So proud of this brave man! He has accomplished so much and I hope much more in the future! Day by day!!

[Flower_Hopey]

I used to suffer from agoraphobia. It takes a lot of hard work to change, but the freedom on the other side is so worth it.

[SadeWithTheReceipts]

I was in tears with you sir 🥰🙏🏽 I was thinking at first to myself, well at least you’re safe from this cruel world and police brutality, but I felt you when you said it’s like prison and you’ve missed out on so much 😔 I can just see the memes coming now after this going viral 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m so proud of you and I don’t even know you. This was a huge step to go before the world admitting your disorder and asking for help. You have helped so many ppl without even knowing. 🥰🥰