Hello to you all

[mistere]

I have suffered from agoraphobia since my early teens and this led to avoidance and safety behaviours causing me to also develop social phobia. This has made my life unbearable at times but I scraped through and managed to hold down a good job until now (off sick). I am 48yrs old and always assumed throughout my life that as time passed I would gradually conquer each step of my fears and anxieties. How wrong I was. Its hard trying to relate how you feel to people who don't understand. If I can build up the courage I would really enjoy meeting people who really do understand.               

[stresspuppy]

Welcome to the forum Mistere, sounds like you've been struggling for a long time. You don't say in your post if you have much personal support from friends or family? and I know this can be a tricky area when there's the fear of not being understood so the forum is a safe and understanding place to share and seek advice  . We do meet up and this can be invaluable for many of us to both share and socialise and we usually manage to have an enjoyable time - if you want more reassurance our meets and events section has a FAQ section worth looking at and well come along when you feel ready 

From a professional health input angle I wonder if you've ever approached your GP or received any kind of therapy input?

[mistere]

I have seen the GP many times over the years I have received CBT twice the last course was last year which was helpful BUT I tend to slip back to my safe behaviours over time. I have seen a few psychiatrists and a clinical psychologist tried hypnotherapy and have been prescribed many different medications over the years. I gave up the escitalopram a few months ago and decided that they only provide temporary relief for me.  have had some very dark days over the past few months but I have the support of my family and a few close friends.
Thank you for the invitation to your meetings I will try to come along.   

[Ludo]

Hey mistere,
welcome to BAF! Thanks for being so open and honest in your posts, I very much recognise myself when you talk about avoidance and safety, and the struggle to stop slipping back in to such behaviours. I think you've done a great thing by finding this forum, and if you do feel able to make it to one of the weekly meetings you'll receive a very warm welcome from others who have had, or are having the same kind of experiences with anxiety related issues. The group is incredibly supportive and friendly without being overbearing, and there is no pressure to push yourself forward or anything like that.

Will look forward to saying hi, if you do feel up to it.

Take care,

L

[mistere]

Wow I feel I have gained a little ground back by sharing my feelings and admitting to my problems. I have been hiding for so long I have developed a front that few have ever seen passed. The clinical psychologist described me as the perfect poker player because I could hide what I was really thinking so well (self preservation) through the fear of humiliation. I have devoted my entire career to helping others in times of need and putting everyone else first in my personal life to the detriment of myself as I feel so worthless. Time for change(better late than never) and thank you so much for the positive input I am so glad to have found this forum.