Agoraphobia: How I went from housebound to traveling and living again! (The whole story)

This video details my entire journey from housebound to world-round!
(Lots of poetic license used here - I went overseas twice 😬)
From being diagnosed with agoraphobia, panic disorder and depression, housebound and feeling hopeless and stuck, to finding different ways to bend the edges of my comfort zone and all the scary and exhilarating things in between.

Music gratefully sourced by Olexy from Pixabay

If you are struggling with an anxiety disorder, PLEASE don't be afraid to seek help.
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[quendelf]

My advice based on improvements I’ve experienced so far… stop thinking, start doing.

Seriously. Thinking is not the solution to this problem. I don’t really believe this is an “illness” so to speak, I think it’s more like a false connection in the mind. It’s a habit of the brain and body that is maladaptive.

You’re not SICK. Your body has just learnt a response that isn’t helpful.

You have to expose yourself and not stop. No excuses. No “I’m too tired”. It’s hard… but just DO. Don’t think.

You NEED the proof, then really focus on the positives of what you’ve achieved.

You can do it. Keep telling yourself. You can do it.

Again.

You can do it.

[heatherrochellelux]

Wow, this made me cry. It’s been 4 years for me now and I’m at my lowest point, feeling insane part. This made me feel very hopeful. Today I’m struggling just to go down to the laundry room in my apartment complex, I haven’t done laundry in a month or so because it gives me so much anxiety being down there. I haven’t showered in months because I’m scared I’ll fall and die while I’m in there. I sit in my spot on my bed all day, everyday. I never used to be like this, it just slowly built up to where I’m at. This motivated me to get up and at least do my laundry.❤️

[rachelpearson]

In case someone finds this looking for help, one of the major shifts that helped me breakdown agoraphobia was changing my mindset to give as much compassion to myself when I was struggling as I would give my best friend. Once I stopped judging myself for not fitting into this idea of what normal was and started welcoming the discomfort as I reminded myself that these are all just sensations, windows of peace started opening up. Like Lauren, I did everything external to try to “fix” me. It wasn’t shifting my life. We are feeling beings who learned to think, not thinking beings who learned to feel. Some things you can’t think your way out of. Lauren, you give great examples of how to act your way into a better headspace. Thank you for your content!

[rosierose]

I have struggled with agoraphobia for many years. I have slowly been doing things and it’s been amazing. I went on a hot air balloon ride recently and it was the best! I’m flying for the first time in over 20 years in 8 days and I’m starting to feel really afraid, but I want to travel more than anything.

[h.a.s.]

Ive got agoraphobia and once i actually recovered for years from it and then 5 years later it came back. It is all about exposure plus deep acceptance

[ASaca]

I remember the time I went to the beach for the first time after I started having horrible debilitating panic attacks, I literally cried watching the sea because I had convinced myself that I would never be able to do so again. I feel like exposure therapy is probably the best way to treat the problem! Also, supplements such as magnesium glycinate and vitamin D are super important (specially if you have a deficiency which is very probable since you don’t get any sunlight for months or years being trapped inside your house) I still have a long way to go since I still have attacks during traffic or dentists for example, but I feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel!

[kobii]

Even knowing that exposure therapy is what I need to do, I just can't seem to do it. I find myself not wanting to do anything anymore, just sitting here, waiting till I can eat or go back to bed. Sometimes I get the drive for things, working out, learning a new language, writing, drawing, exc, but that feeling goes away after a couple days and I'm back to doing nothing. It's almost as if I'm scared if I got better, I still wouldn't do anything. I'm at my end with this disorder, just wasting away. I've gained 100 pounds and now am obese and my body is basically deteriorating. Making it even more difficult to do anything because now I've added to agoraphobia.

Thank you for sharing yourself in this video though, it gives me a small amount of hope. I've overshared in this comment but maybe you'll appreciate the vent.

[whoknowsnugget]

a year ago my agoraphobia started with a stomach flu!! recently i’ve developed it again and i feel like nobody fully understands me and it’s so nice to know that im not alone, i went on my first walk today and also to a store!! still not feeling super great but i don’t want this to ruin my life anymore. i hope everyone else fighting with this finds something that helps them even a little bit :)

[rachealpike]

It's like I'm seeing myself 😢, it's gives me hope that I can keep pushing through this, and finally heal from it, toilet anxiety is so real and can be so awful to live with. But it's people like yourself that help beyond words, thank you so sharing and for being you xx

[dr.jenniferma]

I think I always struggled with this, but the pandemic has solidified it for me. I make excuses not to go somewhere and I have to mentally rehearse before I do anything. I envision the parking lot, the traffic, the people pushing their carts, etc. It's taken years, but I've finally connected the dots as to why I feel strange and even dumber when I'm out and about. In the grocery store I can forget why I'm there. Now that I know what's wrong I can feel some relief. The trick is simply exposure. Every day get out and do one thing that you don't want to do and you train your body.

[jamies]

Every thing you said is literally word for word what I struggle with. Going to the store. The mailbox. My backyard sometimes. It’s horrible and I’m glad your better ❤

[moonie]

Thank you for the videos 🩷 I went from being housebound two years ago to now doing food delivering all day, every day and going to huge arenas to see concerts. I’m still recovering, but it’s absolutely doable. You’re an inspiration and help so many people!

[rostone]

This is probably the first video on YouTube that describes exactly what I’m going through (except I deal with dizziness instead of diarrhea). I can relate especially when seeing friends and people on social media doing so many things and wondering, “how?!”

[carlenewalters]

I can relate so much!!! I’ve suffered with health anxiety / agoraphobia for 4 years now. But looking back to how I used to be, I’ve come on so far!! My goal that my therapist asked, was to be able to fly to Greece from the UK to see my parents. In April 2024, I flew, by myself (and my daughter) to Greece and I made it! Every little win keeps you going and makes you realise that it is really just in your head. That little anxiety voice that used to be shouting at me, is now a little whisper 😁👍 wishing everyone struggling the best and keep going!!!

[AtypicalPaul]

I feel you! I hate when people find things that help and then try to charge others for it. Idk how Anyone who have truly experienced agoraphobia or panic attacks could charge someone for that information

[smithkirsty]

I relate to every single thing you said in this video. 4 years ago I didn't think I'd still be here but I'm back at work full time and I have my first holiday booked in 8 years (not on a plane yet but I'm working on it). I actually am able to use my experiences on a daily basis to relate better to my patients and the students I work with 💪

Living with panic disorder and agoraphobia gives you a crazy sense of strength once you start recovering.❤

[daddo]

Thank you for sharing your story!
I'm myself fighting against agoraphobia since 1 year, even if it comes to me as a "yo-yo" effect, coming and getting away at any given moment. I make myself strong and I try always to put myself in outdoor situations, and most importantly, to put the physical pains under control (as you have said too, they never are "fully real", so no, we are not going to faint or lose control etc 🙂). In some moments I manage to overcome the fear, in some others I need to walk back home, but only with trying and doing we will fight this.
A huge hug to everyone in the same situation, we will do this, it is really just a phase ;)

[CrystalNouveauC]

Thank you for sharing your story. Your videos have helped me throughout my healing process. Two years ago, I was going through a divorce, moving back with my parents, and dealing with covid /quarantine (like everyone else in the world at that time). I was in a fragile emotional state and the combination of those events were the perfect storm that led me to experience a severe panic attack that triggered bad ibs symptoms in a public setting which gave me toilet anxiety and made me agoraphobic. I did not want to leave my house. Through exposure therapy, hypnotherapy, CBT, meditation, and being in a healing community, I went from fearful of leaving my house 2 years ago to going on my first cruise in 15 years last month. I still struggle with toilet anxiety, and anxiety in general, but it's more manageable now because I've built up some resiliency. My next goal is to get on plane and travel to Europe. For those that are struggling, don't lose hope. Take it one day at a time. Move forward, even in fear and even if it's just baby steps (a walk down the street, driving to the supermarket etc.) Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. You are more brave and capable than you give yourself credit for!

[codaliddell]

I watched your video and then instantly went for a local walk; it's been a while since I left the house. Thank you!

[AtypicalPaul]

So many nights I've prayed not to wake up.
I do have heart issues too. Pacemaker at 25, then ibs. Celiac, bone marrow syndrome, arfid, agoraphobic, ocd, depressed, panic attacks big time, traffic phobia, storm phobia, fibromyalgia and an autoimmune disease. It makes fixing or helping one thing complicated.