struggling with agoraphobia (?) and anxiety

recently i’ve been really struggling with agoraphobia. i’ve never really struggled with it before and it’s awful. one of my favorite things ever is going to concerts. i haven’t been to one in a few months and i have a few coming up but instead of being happy about them i’m more anxious than anything. back in may i had the stomach bug and got sick in public (i have terrible emetophobia) and ever since then my anxiety has been AWFUL. every time i’m in public (stores, restaurants, etc) all i can think about it what to do if i start feeling sick or if i’m going have a panic attack. it’s been hell. some days are better than others but it’s greatly affecting my day to day life. and i don’t want to let it take away from one of my favorite things to do. does anyone have any tips? thank you :)

Username: avadlugaczavadlugacz

Date posted: 16w ago

Some things I’ve learned with having agoraphobia and emetophobia is going head on into an exposure but having a safety person with you. (Someone who you feel 100% comfortable with and understands your illness). Start small by going somewhere just for a small amount of time. For example: pick up some coffee and sit outside in a safe area. If that’s too much for you, go to a drive thru instead. Baby steps ⭐️✨💫🩷

Username: kenziecondakenzieconda

Date posted: 16w ago

i have struggled w agoraphobia before.. they say exposure therapy is good, going outside and sitting for as long as you can.. i would go and sit outside for about 10-15 minutes, and try to distance myself from my house.. walking around and whatnot.. because every time i would even walk outside i would get what felt like tunnel vision, and i would start to feel anxious and end up having a panic attack.. but w the exposure therapy, i am able to go to places every now and then

Username: avadlugaczavadlugacz

Date posted: 16w ago

Hey! I have the same things as you. I totally understand what it’s like to constantly obsess over what to do if I get sick like finding every bathroom on the planet or carrying barf bags with me. We got this!!! 🩷🩷🩷

Username: luverlytwizzlesluverlytwizzles

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 4w ago

Currently in exposure therapy for this. It’s about trying to do what you can and not pushing it. When I started I was sitting in a cafe alone for 10 mins and that was unbearable. I still struggle with public places and panic attacks but you just have to try.

Username: kevin_22

Date posted: 6y ago

I’ve always had anxiety and ocd about throwing up but then it went into just horrible panic attacks where I needed someone close to calm me down like my mom or gf. It subsided and I was doing great for years. But it’s come back and now, I live in NYC, for the last 2 years I can’t take the subway anymore m, I can’t get on elevators or planes. It’s controlled my life. If im on there alone I get panic attacks. It happens automatically. I’m scared that the subway is going to get stuck and I can’t get off same with the elevator and plane. I’m scared of having panic attacks now and I just have a huge general sense of anxiety everywhere. I just feel off constantly now. I really want to get my life back and not care about these things. Anyone else dealing w the same?

Username: norahgs

Date posted: 48w ago

Emetophobia

Its currently 6:53am, woke up around 6:00am in a panic from a nightmare and I can’t fall back asleep. I have contamination ocd and emetophobia. At night i have a hard time falling asleep because every time ive gotten sick its been in the middle of the night while im sleeping. Before bed i usually get bad anxiety its going to happen again, even if theres no reason for it to happen. This obviously can trigger dreams about it, which then make me feel worse. Through out the day Ill overly manage my eating habits (no chicken certain days etc), take certain routes home to avoid getting sick, wash my hands when i can *feel* the germs on them, do certain tasks so it doesn’t make me sick etc. Its really getting to a point where i feel like its consuming me , and I need help but I am so scared to get it.

Username: sawyersaucee

Date posted: 26w ago

Terrified to work on ERP, any advice?

Hi, I’m new here. I’ve been dealing with OCD since I was 9 or 10 but only got diagnosed at 19, and started actual treatment a few weeks ago. I’m 21 now. I have severe emetophobia that fuels my health ocd and my intrusive thoughts have been so bad lately that I can hardly eat or leave my house. I don’t go anywhere except my bedroom and work. I even get anxious thinking about going to my living room. I started ERP with a new therapist, and I want to get better, but the therapy is so scary and overwhelming. I’ve lived this way for so long that confronting my fears feels impossible and I’m so scared to do it. I do everything I can to avoid anxiety attacks. I feel so unsafe in my own body because of the way I can’t stop fixating on certain actions and sensations. Does anyone who’s gone through something similar have any advice, or encouragement? I’m doing my best, but I don’t know anyone else with my ocd themes. Thanks y’all <3

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Share your thoughts so the Community can respond

struggling with agoraphobia (?) and anxiety

Related posts

Be a part of the largest OCD Community

Be a part of the largest OCD Community