any long term agoraphobia sufferers who got over it?

[[ti...]]

I know there are a lot of agoraphobics on here but many of you seem to have it temporarily.  I have had it for the last two years of taking benzos and six weeks off I still have it.  I was wondering if there are others like myself who had it for a long time and got over it after stopping benzos?  Thanks, Kathy.

[[Ga...]]

That would be good to know, Kathy I havent left house since Dec

 

What happens when you leave? I guess we just have to force it? (eek)

[[Ho...]]

I never had agoraphobia in my life until benzos. I started getting it in tolerance if I didnt have any klonopin, and it got worse and worse for the first 6 months of withdrawal. At 22 months off benzos, I still have it but its much better than before. I can now actually drive myself to the grocery store no problem. I still dont get out just to be out much at all. I feel that once all of my other symptoms go away completely, so will it. 

[[Sa...]]

I guess it really depends on the person. Certain people get over certain symptoms faster than others.  Agoraphobia is without a doubt one of my top 5 most bothersome symptoms.  The first few month of withdrawal it was absolutely horrible. Now I can walk out and about as I please, but I still get overly anxious when confronted by people.  Its been better lately for sure.

[[Pa...]]

I had long standing agoraphobia as a result of panic attacks. It was made worse by benzos & paxil, even before tolerance and withdrawal kicked in. I'm completely over my agoraphobia. For me going through paxil wd was "therapeutic" in that whenever I felt ok I forced myself to get outa the house and do stuff even though I was uncomfortable and when I felt bad I would say what the hell I feel bad already so what if I have a panic attack. I refused to let my fears ruin windows. After many many months of doing this things slowly got better. I stopped anticipating the worst things happening, I stopped obsessing over the idea of going out the next night or tomorrows errands. Soon it all became second nature and I now run errands completely unfettered by agoraphobia. I had agoraphobia for probably four years. Honestly if I can get over it then anyone can, I was really really bad for some time. I never thought I'd know what it was like to be without agoraphobia. You gotta get outa the house and put yourself in those uncomfortable situations time and time and time again. slowly things will improve but it's something I had to work at on a daily basis and it took many months before it became any easier. For me it wasn't like the first step was the hardest. Each step was as bad as the last it didn't get any easier until months and months of forcing myself to confront my biggest fears day after day after day. My first step was purchasing a green tea lemonade at starbucks WITH my sister next to me. I slowly progressed from there, it was not easy but it can absolutely 110% be done. But you HAVE to put in the work and it is so worth it in the end.

[[Co...]]

Hey, I also had agoraphobia as a result of panic attacks. I was on klon for panic attacks and it worked really well. After detox was very agoraphobic foar about 9 months or so. I dont have any agoraphobia anymore and Im very comfortable being in a crowd. I dont even have panic attacks anymore. Also a BB named Kc Lee had extreme agoraphobia in wd, she worrued shed have it forever because she experienced it before wd. She is so much better now...she doesnt post anymore but you could read her blog...she is an inspiring young woman. Taught me a lot and Im grateful to have been her friend here.

[[Ga...]]

I remember KC glad she recovered

[[ws...]]

had it in the early months of w/d,,,,it went away completely after 9 months off.  Now at 14 months it is not really a problem anymore but agoraphobia is a normal w/d symptom that happens to most of us upon discontinuation..  It slowly lessens and goes away in time.

 

Andy

[[su...]]

I have this nasty little phobia too.  Seems like there are several c/t people commenting on this thread.  I don't know if that's good or not but my benzo muddled brain likes correlation, logic, reason. 

 

Good to hear I can expect it to fade and disappear. 

[[pa...]]

I had that for about a year, starting as I went into tolerance.  Then it just disappeared about 8 months ago.  I went to a restaurant recently that made me miserable last year because of the noise and activity and this time I thoroughly enjoyed it - didn't want to leave.

 

Paresthesia

[[Ga...]]

parathesia, that is good to hear!