Agoraphobia ...Biggest Obstacle Right Now- Advice?

[[ia...]]

I never had Agoraphobia before Benzo use.

A Panic attack? Yes...a Time or Two...but NEVER fear of Traveling and/or being Alone away from Home.

So, based on that fact...and other similar Posts I have read on this Forum...I can deduce that Benzo Use can Cause Agoraphobia.  I am currently uneasy about traveling alone...and  an Out of State Trip is unthinkable. What Happened?????

 

I thought I was pretty much rid of it...until I Tapered Librium last Year.  In fact, I even drove 10 Hours to another State and stayed the weekend with a friend last Year before my Taper. I know that doesnt sound like any big accomplishment, but those that have Agoraphobia will understand the difficulty in such a venture.

 

Can anyone Take a guess at WHY it has come back since the Librium Taper?  I am still on Xanax and now Zoloft ( which ALWAYS relieved it in the past) but this time, while helping greatly with the depression.....has not stopped the Agoraphobia.

 

I really want to start tapering my Xanax...but it is the only thing allowing me to function right now.

Help

[[ia...]]

Interesting find...I never looked this up before. Apparently even the Rich and Famous suffer from this

Notable cases

Will Friedle (b. 1976) American actor, known for role of Eric in Boy Meets World

Woody Allen (b. 1935), American actor, director, musician[38]

Kim Basinger (b. 1953), American actress[39]

Earl Campbell (b. 1955), American pro football player[40]

Macaulay Culkin (b. 1980), American actor, known for his portrayal of Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, said he had "self-diagnosed" agoraphobia.[41]

Paula Deen (b. 1947), American chef, author, and television personality[42]

H.L. Gold (1914–1996), science fiction editor - as a result of trauma during his wartime experiences, his agoraphobia became so severe that for more than two decades he was unable to leave his apartment. Towards the end of his life, he acquired some control over the condition.[citation needed]

Daryl Hannah (b. 1960), American actress[43]

Miranda Hart (b. 1972), English comedian and actor, known for her portrayal of Miranda in her self-titled sitcom[44]

Howard Hughes (1905–1976), American aviator, industrialist, film producer and philanthropist[45]

Olivia Hussey (b. 1951), Anglo-Argentine actress[46][47]

Shirley Jackson (1916–1965), American writer - her agoraphobia is considered to be a primary inspiration for the novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle.[48][49]

Elfriede Jelinek (b. 1946), Austrian writer, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature in 2004[50]

Alison Moyet (b. 1961), English singer[51]

Bolesław Prus (1847–1912), Polish journalist and novelist[52]

Peter Robinson (b. 1962), British musician known as Marilyn[53]

Brian Wilson (b. 1942), American singer and songwriter, primary songwriter of the Beach B

[[ia...]]

Famous People With Agoraphobia-, far more celebrities are willing to openly share their panic attack problems, including the following individuals:Johnny DeppJohnny Depp may be one of the most popular actors in the world, but that hasn't stopped him from suffering from panic attacks for years. The actor doesn't speak about them very often, but his struggles with panic disorder are well known.Kate MossJohnny Depp's old girlfriend, Kate Moss, also revealed that she had been dealing with panic attacks for years - especially in her youth. She revealed in a magazine interview that her panic attacks may have been related to severe stress over the idea that she needed to make provocative poses with men and women in a way that made her distressed.Emma StoneSpeaking of famous actors and actresses, Emma Stone may be one of the most popular young women in movies today, but she also dealt with numerous panic attacks to the point where she developed agoraphobia. While most people get panic attacks in their 20's, Emma Stone got her first panic attack in her youth. Today, she says she still deals with panic attacks once in a while, but has found that she's developed healthy coping strategies to deal with them.Joey VottoFor those that only pay attention to movies and film, the name "Joey Votto" may not ring any bells. But those that follow baseball know that as of this writing Joey Votto is one of the best players in major league baseball, and has been for many years. But while he was working his way up the minor leagues and even into the majors, Joey Votto suffered from severe panic attacks, to the point where he shared the one phrase that those with panic attacks know all too well: "I thought I was going to die."Kim BasingerSome people get their first panic attacks when they're severely stressed. Others get their first one out of the blue, with no way to see it coming. The latter is what happened to famous actress and model Kim Basinger, who had her first panic attack in the middle of a grocery store. Her panic attacks were so terrible that she developed agoraphobia and depression as a result.Charlie BeljanCharlie Beljan is a golfer that became the face of panic attacks when he suffered from one while playing on the PGA tour. He managed to finish with one of the lowest scores of his career despite himself and the paramedics believing he was having a heart attack that turned out to be nothing more than a severe panic attack.Scarlett JohanssonBeing beautiful and famous doesn't stop anxiety. Scarlett Johansson, who shared that she often feels nervous on sets before filming a movie, has also said that right before filming she has suffered from some severe anxiety attacks. It's not clear if she's talking about "severe anxiety" or "panic attacks," but it's obvious that the actress is not without that added stress.AdeleThe most famous singer in the world in 2011 and 2012 appears to have suffered from not only panic attacks, but also social phobia and severe stage fright. Performing in front of crowds of thousands can give anyone stage fright, but there is a strong likelihood that her anxiety attacks were an issue long before she ever stepped on stage.

[[Fi...]]

They're probably all 'dealing with' (benzo-induced) panic and agoraphobia because, like us, they've all been on benzos, which induce panic and agoraphobia 

 

 

[[ly...]]

 

 

I developed terrible agoraphobia on benzos.  I practically lived in my bedroom for years.  Even going out to the street to get the mail was often impossible - I would make sure no one was around and literally run.  If the grocery was critical I would wear sunglasses, even on rainy days, and get in and out as fast as possible.  The anxiety?  Just the phone ringing would bring on a wave of nausea.  I never answered it and would wait hours to even listen to the message.  It came on gradually over the years and then disappeared on my taper.  Completely gone.

[[Jo...]]

I am going to apologize in advance for this: 

 

I guess thats why McCaully Caulkin was always staying Home Alone. 

 

Many on the list dont perform live - thats probably why. 

 

I came to the conclusion long ago that "normal" isn't normal.  Probably, the majority of people have issues of some sort.  After all the prescribing rate for SSRIs, and Benzos, are well into the double digits, never mind other legal, and illegal options.  This knowledge gives me some comfort.  At least ten percent of the people in a room with me are taking something for some reason. 

 

If I have a public panic atrack the most reaction I will get is "Are you okay".  Any answer will suffice: No, I am feeling a little anxious; just need some air; are you finding it hot or stuffy in here.  I have coached a hiking companion across cliff edges because he gets anxious.  I have phone coached my wife while she is driving in a snow storm.  Neither of those things bother me.  But being in a closed in space where I cant get out can set me off (backseat of car; airplane). 

 

I used to have a fridge magnet that said "the only normal people are the ones you dont know very well."

 

I am not sure how this relates to agoraphobia, except to suggest that the possibility of freaking out in public is probably not so unusual. 

 

 

[[be...]]

Real agoraphobia became impossible when I became tolerant on Xanax. Continued with klonopin and ativan. First cut of Ativan 4mg from 8. In three days although physically ill, malnourished etc I didn't know what hit me. I wanted to shop...and shop and shop. Go out for lunch. Drive. I was shocked because I felt zero anxiety. Prior to this answering the phone was impossible. I somehow made it through my kids weddings (one we had here) but absolutely drugged and a couple of beers on top. Life was a nightmare. My bedroom was my home. I was absolutely fine until I asked for Valium when I'd completely done Ativan but had a bit of klonopin to go. I only asked for it because I'd read Benzo Wise (not so wise) and Ashton. My doctor reluctantly agreed. Within 2 weeks I was housebound. Absolutely no other reason than the Valium. Nothing else in my life had changed. So do benzos cause anxiety and agoraphobia. In my opinion yes the definitely do. I'm only hoping when I'm finally off the Valium I can shop till I drop. The only place I go is to the doctors. And in the motor home but that's a home away from home. I'm expecting a mail delivery today that someone will need to sign for. If my husband's not here they'll leave a card for pick up. There's no way I'll answer the door. Not today. Thing is I remember how well I was and believe that will return. If I didn't believe that I'd never bother tapering off at all. Just would sit drugged in my bedroom. Sad but true. B

[[So...]]

 

 

I developed terrible agoraphobia on benzos.  I practically lived in my bedroom for years.  Even going out to the street to get the mail was often impossible - I would make sure no one was around and literally run.  If the grocery was critical I would wear sunglasses, even on rainy days, and get in and out as fast as possible.  The anxiety?  Just the phone ringing would bring on a wave of nausea.  I never answered it and would wait hours to even listen to the message.  It came on gradually over the years and then disappeared on my taper.  Completely gone.

 

That makes me so happy to hear it disappeared on your taper it freaked me out because I have traveled all over the world performing as a singer by myself from the age of about 15 and then about six months ago agoraphobia hit me after a year of benzo use, I have never suffered from it in my life and honestly am housebound right now which is so upsetting because I am so afraid to go anywhere on my own. I am down to 1 mg of klonopin and hope to be off soon and am hoping that this feeling goes away soon.

[[be...]]

For me I was on I think only about.125 mg of k down from 8 mg Ativan and 2 mg k. Felt unbelievably fantastic compared to on the drugs. Now I'm housebound on Valium. But yes mine definitely went away and I'm totally convinced I was agoraphobic due to the drugs. I'm guessing you'll do great. I intend to. B

[[ly...]]

 

 

My first cut was from 8mg xanax to 2 and the anxiety, depression and agoraphobia left almost overnight.  It's been 2 yrs and nothing has returned.  Mood and energy remain great.  Honestly, the physical is a walk in the park in comparison.  I also c/t'd 25yrs of prozac and don't know if that contributed - I think it did.

[[be...]]

Awesome Lynn. I knew I wasn't alone in this. Bloody Valium. Ah but I'm getting there.  B

[[ia...]]

Thanks everyone.

Helps knowing I am not alone.

 

I look forward to the day I am OFF xanax and Zoloft and expect this to eventually subside.

 

Appreciate all your Posts

[[ia...]]

 

 

I developed terrible agoraphobia on benzos.  I practically lived in my bedroom for years.  Even going out to the street to get the mail was often impossible - I would make sure no one was around and literally run.  If the grocery was critical I would wear sunglasses, even on rainy days, and get in and out as fast as possible.  The anxiety?  Just the phone ringing would bring on a wave of nausea.  I never answered it and would wait hours to even listen to the message.  It came on gradually over the years and then disappeared on my taper.  Completely gone.

 

Very Encouraging Lynn. Thank you! 

 

[[Is...]]

I started taking benzos to treat an anxiety disorder, but I had a life, I had friends, I had a job. Just a few months after I started taking Xanax I started developing panic attacks and agoraphobia that lasted for years. I became a reclusive, I isolated myself from family and friends. I became housebound. Now all that fear is gone now that I stopped taking Xanax (13 months ago) That's of course just my experience with the pill. It made everything worse for me.

[[Me...]]

PRAISE JESUS!! it will go away. Right now i'm not  feeling it will.. I had this when I was only on .5mg so I doubt its gonna get better until I'm off or almost off.  I can't wait to start chipping away at .5mg that's gonna be where it gets ugly I bet.

[[Lo...]]

Alison Moyet has been agoraphobic for years (Was she on benzos?) It's good to see her performing and living life again:

 

 

Kind of a shame she had a falling out with Vince Clarke. Honestly, those 2 made some amazing New Wave music. I don't think Vince really did as great with Erasure, and Depeche Mode actually did way better without him. He got them started, but Martin Gore was really the songwriter that DM needed.