Struggling with Agoraphobia: How Can I Get My Life Back?

for basically the first half of 2021 i could barely leave my house too, mostly as a result of just going out less cause of covid. i was still able to like go in the car with my mom to get food or do whatever, but i would not leave the car. at one point i couldn’t even go in the car cause it made me super anxious just thinking about sitting there alone with my mom (even though we’re super close and she never gave me any reason to feel this way, it was just my anxiety taking over). the first place i started going back to was home depot to look at plants. it helped that we’d mostly stay outside cause i felt just better being outside rather than inside a store. each time i went, it got a lot easier and then college started for me so i had to go to my one on campus class (which made me very nervous but i just sat in the back and hid behind my laptop, lol). i just started doing a little more each time i went out and now im pretty much back to how i was before. sometimes my anxious thoughts take over and tell me that i can’t go or i’ll like pass out, but what helps me is just distracting myself beforehand like when getting ready and listening to music so i’m focused on something else and can’t be in my head as much. it’ll get easier, i promise you. like everyone else said, just take baby steps and when you’re comfortable, you can do a little more each time and just work your way back up to feeling comfortable going out. it’s really tough at first but i know you can do it. if you ever want to talk, i’m here for you <33

I have five pets but no therapist :/

do you have any pets? maybe a dog to walk could be helpful?

congrats! i’m happy for you <3 i hope it helps you get used to going outside

Now I’ll be planning a trip to the library do the first time ever

take baby steps. i know it’s hard but maybe try going out to your backyard and sit out there for 30 mins everyday (if you have one). try walking around your neighborhood or a quiet park. sometimes i have days where i don’t wanna go outside at all either, but what i do is hop in my car and drive around town. you don’t have to socialize at all PLUS you get to blast your fav music and jam out. i like to go to my local library and just stay there for hours. it’s quiet and no one really goes there so it’s a perfect way to get used to the outside world again.