Is there anyone out there with agoraphobia who can answer my question.?!


Question: Is there anyone out there with agoraphobia who can answer my question..?
Hello my name is Amy. I have a problem and I am not sure what to do. When I was young I was diagnosed with generalized axniety disorder. I was about 12, I am now 22. Here recently my doc thought it would be a good Idea to ween me off my paxil because it had been 10 years since my last panic attack, the paxil worked wonders for me when I was diagnosed! Anyways he weened me off, and thing were ok for a while, but then I began to have my panic attacks again! But here is the strange thing, now I only hve them when I leave home and go out of my comfort zone, which is about 10 miles. I have heard about agoraphobia and this sounds alot like what is going on with me! I have no insurance and I am very far away from home. My fiance and I are traveling for his work. I have tried private insurance, but because this is a prior medical proplen they won't except me. I need to see a phsychiatrist but I cant afford alot and I can't work because and stress just makes me freak out!I don't know what to do, I am so fustrated and upset.

I am sorry this is such a long question but I really need the help, please just serious answers and no critisism, I don't need it right now. Thankyou for your help.Health Question & Answer


Answers:
I found it extremely difficult to wean off the Paxil. I, too, had panic attacks and about a 6 month period where I could not leave my house, much less go out in public. My doctor put me on a benzo (Klonipin), and it was like I got my life back. I only had to take it as needed, like before I had to go somewhere, or knew I would be in a crowded place. See if you have a County Mental Health Services, especially MHMR (Mental Health Mental Retardation) center. I was seen at no cost, and got my medication at no cost through these services. It took a while to actually get my first psychiatrist appointment, but after that I have been seen regularly for years, and now my insurance picks up most of the costs. They charge you only as much as your ability to pay, which will be a separate appointment with a caseworker and their income guidelines. Even if you have insurance that won't pay for a pre-existing issue, they will pay for it if you meet the financial criteria for assistance.Health Question & Answer

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Agoraphobia often results from having had a panic attack in a public place, associating such places with panic, and wanting to avoid having another attack, away from a place where you can get immediate help, or where you feel safe, which is usually at home. The idea is to learn, and become proficient in the techniques for coping with panic, then, little by little, and with support from a friend, family member, or therapist, (at first) start going out again, confident in the knowledge that you can cope with any attack. Section 27 on phobia, at ezy build, below, refers.

View the techniques for control of anxiety/panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious).

Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.

Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method also works for most people, but is not suited to all circumstances, such as driving, or playing sport.

Another alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/ website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.

Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has been shown to be effective.

Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread. A variant of Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing therapy, which has been used successfully for those people suffering from anxiety: it is easily learned, quick to use, yet can be very effective, is on page N, of section 6, and I use it before the relaxation techniques, because I have found that it makes them quicker to employ, and more effective. If you are fairly suggestible, (40% of people are) check out the searchbar at: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/ "panic attacks" Contact your county/local mental health agency. Google: "mhmr; (your city); (your state)"

Health Question & Answer

I used to have severe agoraphobia, and it was directly related to panic/anxiety disorder. I've never been on medication for it (though I have been on other psychiatric medications).

I can tell you the thing that has helped me get my anxiety/panic disorder under control is meditation. It's fairly easy to learn, doesn't have to take up a lot of time (just a few minutes a couple times a day will have a positive effect), and it helps tremendously to release and ease anxiety.
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Call that doctor who weaned you off and tell him to wean you back ON. also tell him that his decision has caused you a great deal of personal anguish, pain and terror, and you would appreciate him giving you a discount on your medical treatment because you can't afford to see anyone because he's managed to make you uninsurable.

Does your state have a decent mental health agency that provides indigent or poverty-based services.? You might try calling them and seeing if you can get help from them. also, if you live near a university hospital, call them and see if they take poor people.

Finally, there's PPA--the Montel Williams gig where people get low cost meds. PAXIL is on their list of available meds.

Of course, you need a prescription first....but that might be the trick for you.

It's hard to help you without knowing what state you are from--they're all different, and have varying levels of services for their populations.

I wish you luck--hope I've given you a few ideas, at any rate. Health Question & Answer



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