New to the forum

[utterscribe]

hello everyone!  I am 25 years old, recently separated from my husband, and I am just coming off of a year long agoraphobic spell.  I saw this forum, and decided maybe it would be good for me to connect with others like me.  I am applying for social security disability so that I can spend a year or two focusing on stabilization without all of the extra stresses of a job and dealing with people every single day.  I have never been able to really connect with people, I always seem to feel like I am "faking" when i am in a group situation.  I don't know if i exactly have panic attacks, but I get to the point where I feel so uncomfortable in situations that I turn into this raging beast who tears her way through others in order to feel safe again.  Sometimes I can be the life of the party,  and sometimes I can even do things that most people find brave and daring, but mostly I feel lost and alone.  i feel like this problem is turning me into someone i can't recognize when I look into the mirror.  The internet has been a great help to me, being able to talk to others without meeting them face to face.  I am trying to focus on writing, I figure I can excuse my tendency to be a shut in and avoid human connections if I am some sort of artist, but others think that is just another excuse.  I'm not sure if we are supposed to go into this much detail in our introductions, but I just wanted everyone to know where I am coming from.  So hello!  This is me.

[laa43]

I'm not sure if we are supposed to go into this much detail in our introductions, but I just wanted everyone to know where I am coming from.  So hello!  This is me.

Hey and welcome! There is no such thing as too much detail for it helps us get to know you better!! I'm so sorry to hear you're going through such a tough time. Are you in any kind of therapy? I know it has helped me tremendously! I suffer from anxiety/depression/panic but have not had to deal with agoraphobia....that must be really hard. There are many here though that do suffer from this and if you type "agoraphobia" in the search box  (http://www.anxietyzone.com/index.php?action=search) it will pull up information from other posters on this topic. I hope this helps....this is a great  place to meet others who are going through the same things that you are. Take care and keep us posted on how you are doing!! laa43

[meta_liz]

Hey there. Just want you to know I'm the same way as far as rarely feeling like I can really connect to people, and dealing with people everyday and stresses of everyday life is difficult. There are a couple people I truly can connect with, but in general I feel like I kind of fake it too for the same reason. I act myself, but I don't give all of myself, I hold back to varying degrees most often. I also have a tendency to be shut in, even though I spend most of it interacting with people on the computer.

Anyway I just barely joined not too long ago too (because i have been suffering anxiety since age 13 or something and recently got a bout of it). I have never had agoraphobia, but can see how it can happen easily. I am sorry you're giong through a rough time, and you are definitely not alone.

[Kayteecatt]

Oh I'm so glad you found us!!  Welcome to the safe haven, our little place in the world.  A place where everyone understands what you're going through.  Here's a big virtual welcome hug!!