This is just a thought about mood swings, weight problems, sweating, and other similar symptoms. Back when I was a young thing (the 1960s) I used to hear horror stories about women going through “the change of life.” One of my good friends talked about her mother’s tears and how they had come on so suddenly. My mother went from never eating sweets, to becoming a chocoholic. She also developed diabetes, although from her small size, you never would have suspected it. She too, became moodier than she had been when she was younger. I do believe that she also suffered from depression a good part of her life.
I had a complete hysterectomy in my late 40s, and am now in my fifties. I take a very low dose hormone supplement which abates most of the symptoms of menopause. I don’t take them every day and am under a doctor’s supervision. She thinks that what I am doing is sound. I want to add that the pill does not include progesterone, the source of many of the hormone replacement problems. It does have a low dose of testosterone. I still tend to be too warm, but I don’t have the hot flashes I did for a while before we got the dosage correct. My question is this: how much of the symptoms that women in their fifties and up are writing about, are the same symptoms reported by women before any sort of treatment for menopause was offered? Are the tears that come without much warning or prompting, actually occuring as a result of menopause? I don’t have the answer, but as I read some of the entries, the thought did occur to me.

May I say a heartfelt congradulations to both Ginny and Claudia!!!You keep fighting the good fight. Courage isn’t not being afraid. It’s being terrified and doing it anyway! As Tom Hank’s character stranded alone on that island said when asked “How do you keep going day after day when you don’t know if you’ll ever be rescued?” He replies ” I keep breathing because tomorrow the sun WILL rise and who knows what the tide will bring?”

Congratulataions to both of you for taking important first steps. 14 years ago, I suffered from agrophobia (related to Post traumatic Stress Syndrome). My therapist was only two blocks away and it was a major battle for me to get there. I would go out to the bakery (because I was hungry) at 5:30 in the morning a half block away so I wouldn’t run into too many people. Those were my first steps which didn’t happen right away and were then difficult. You wouldn’t believee that all these years later, I am better. I was even able to commute to NYC to school. I remember though, after taking a week off, I “Froze” and had an anxiety attack in Grand Central Station. Everything around me seemed to shrink and I just wanted to be home and had blocked out how to get my train etc. I was like that for what seemed like a long time (Actually, it was only 15 minutes). I finally reasoned that the information booth wouldn’t know that I had done this trip hundreds of times and would tell me where to go. I finaly made it home and told my therapist and she said that it was because I had taken a week off before that and interrupted my routine and an old behvavior pattern came back. She always says to try to fight the anxiety and each time it will get easier. After a lot of prayer and therapy it did.
As a Christian, I claim God’s promise in Second Timothy 1:7 when I pray, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.” I will pray for both of you and I am inspired by your progress.
Lady of Light

Claudia, you wrote: “fixing grilled cheese (fave comfort food) and doing the dishes.”
grilled cheese : Also my favourite food! With Tomato and mayo. With cats, who like the bubbles when I wash dishes. Going Out, for me, is just the Necesary Interlude, to coming home and all that I have created as my personal space. I love my home, but going out feels like an adventure. I might feel there is a “shabbiness” to what I find out there, but I try to be tolerant, since most of them would rather be home.

I have suffered panic/anxiety attacks since the 80′s and agoraphobia since 1992 and use to be on medicine for it. And for years I suffered with depression and on medicine for this. But in 1997 I am no longer on meds for any of this for I found a wonderful Social Worker who helped and believed as I did in Guided Imagery, Meditation, Deep Breathing and Prayer, even just getting away from crowds or leave the store if I feel I need to, till I feel better and this has worked great for me. I now no longer see a Worker and before I was told by her that Bush was cutting all patients on how long they were to be in therapy 4 years ago, I found out before my mom died a deep depression runs in the family and she had it, and so my worker helped me to work on it with the things I mention along with journaling, singing, and other things, even playing with my therapy/helper cat that I have had for almost 15 years on July 31. I know God sent him to me at a time when I needed him and he is great since now I am disabled with a rare type of fibromyalgia and alot of other things, but my faith keeps me going. And I can only say to those who suffer now just have faith and it will be okay and even if you falter in faith God understands, I know for I falter alot and yet he holds me close when I am hurting and not trusting him at those times. His love picks me back up.

I completely understand with these women are going through for I too suffer with anxiety/panic disorder combined with mild psychosis due to schizo-effective disorder. I also have children ranging in age from 21 to 7 and I find it difficult to even go for a walk around the block on occasion not to mention to my doctors office for psychiatric treatment and my psychologists office for therapy. I am on disability so I don’t have much money and I am always worried about where I am going to get my next dollars for groceries and or necessities. Every day is a struggle either financially, physically or emotionally/mentally, but I survive one way or the other, somehow.
Sincerely;
Marie

Hello My name is danica and i am 22 and I have agorophobia .
I actully had panic attacks ever since i was 7 . In my case it runs in the family the panic attacks But no one has agorophobia. I am the only one.I have been in the house now for a hole year and it freaks me out just thinking about it. I did have some help I got the program from midwest center called attacking anxity and depression it’s a good profram and it helped me allot just relize that I am not the only one.
It helps you but now I just am affraid to leave the house and when i start thinking boy those negitive thoughts i just wanna put them somewhere where I can’t find them. Latly I turned to meditaion and it started to work for me to calm down a bit.. I belive in god and my angels and i know that both of them are with me Ladies I thank you for your stories please just take it day by day and remember you are ok and you are protected by God holy spirit and the lovly archangels and angels
GOD BLESS YOU ALL
THANK YOU FOR READING MY STORY
XOXOXOX
DANICA

Ginny and Claudia, I’m glad you are doing better. Keep up the good work. I have a history of agoraphobia I know how hard it can be.
God Bless you,
Diane

After my last relationship was over.It set the stage for something I never expected.My boyfriend was mentally abusive and in the end I found out his brother had sexually hurt my son.I went through a harsh breakdown..My son and I have been in counseling for four years now..I went two years without leaving my home..Unless it was going to the doctor..Which still through me into a panick attack..Fortunately I had found a great counseler..Between her and my children they slowly started trying to get me out of the house…I had to take meds..at first..I took small steps at a time…The more I tried, the easier it got..I started to notice when I did leave the house, if I went somewhere..Someone always just happend to say something really nice to me…Which made it easier to go the next time and so on..I practiced the same with my son..He never had to take meds.thank God..It has taken him three years, he is starting back to a regular public school this year..With a big smile..To all out there with these types of problems…I know it is hard, but you just have to keep taking small steps..Your guardian Angels will always be there to support your every step..Peace and light to you all, my prayers are with you..

Hi Claudia and Ginny,
I know how you both feel, I suffer from anxiety attacks and am on xanax,Lexapro, and trazadone to sleep, I have to take medicine to go out to busy places or to see the doctor. Claudia, where in Florida do you live? I am 30 years old and I live in St. Pete. If you, or anyone else, would like an email friend it is
kettiesaylor@yahoo.com
Good luck to you all and remember you are not alone and you can and will get through this
love,
Katie

My 22 year old son suffers from a fear that I can’t honestly figure out.I believe it is anxiety. He is able to go out with hid older brother, but he cannot take a bus by himself,or go to a movie by himself. He does not work and just sits at home. I want him to go with me via a bus to apply for Medical Assistance so that we can try to get him to a therapist for help. As I said he is 22 and all I want for him is to be able to go out and live life. Does anyone have any suggestions.I did ask my older son but he is constantly working.
Thank You,
Kat

Hello Everyone !
I have suffered from anxiety for years. I have tried all the drugs mentioned on here. I am slowly with age getting over it or better dealing with it. Now that i know what it is. Mine started at 16 when i could drive. I wouldnt go anywhere that required more than 2 turns for fear of being lost or running out of gas. It took till my late 20′s to do highways and trips. Now in my 30′s I still have the fear and i fell the anxiety but i tell my self what is the worst that can happen and i make it a challenge to get out or go to a new unfamilar place those are the worst. Im slowly now getting off the meds and doing better but the attacks dont ever just go away !! Now ive learned to train myself in those moments. Anyways if anyone needs a email pal my address is txsweetie30096@yahoo.com

hey ladies and gents i understand what you are going thru im 41 yrs old and i have seizures and panic attacks yea sometimes im afraid to leave the house because its imbarrassing having this disorder. but i hold a full time job for a heating and air company and answer the phone 24/7 ive recently[6months] left an abusive relationship and started over by the grace of god and a great boss and friend i have a new car new apt and new furniture .and a new lease on life dont give up try to busy yourself make goals and suround yourself with people that can help you achieve those goals remember life is for the living and its worth it trust me at my lowest i wanted to go to sleep and not wake up i thought i would never see the end of the tunnel much less a light at the end but i did and you can too. start with your front porch or your front yard plant some flowers i did it helped if i can help anyone by talking please email me at lynncoffy@yahoo.com dont get caught up in taking pills or self medicating i tried it it doesnt work i hope i have helped someone ……..stay strong and pray for gods guidence and always remember gods only gives us what we can handle and i believe there is a reason for everything that happens in your life…

Hi,
I read a book called fearless living by rhonda britton, now sure about the spelling of her last name. I know they have a web site and I actually did phone group counseling at now cost except the long distance, which if you use your cell phone at night is free, I also bought a 99 minute long distance card at the dollar store that worked fine so my call was 99 cents. Be gentle with yourself, remember you are not your fear. You are a courageous loving person, and you are making steps to get through this, anxiety is very common in our world today of over informed people, I dont’ watch the news or violent things because I will be affected by them, I personally think visual images are the worst for me. Like when 911 happened we had pictures of the tragedy for days over and over again some people are fine with this but I wasn’t, so I still cared but didn’t need to watch these images. Also for me alot of times I am overwhelmed and this is how it comes out. Stress for me comes out in wierd ways and if I don’t deal with the issues and get support it is going to come out. I am bad about isolating and not being with people and taking care of me and then bam, especially during times of crisis, I have even called the crisis hotline when I had no supportive people to talk to and it helps and they are so kind. I have to get it out, cause things grow in my mind when I don’t get them out. I know a lady that also goes to a support group that is free called emotiona anonymous.
You sound like you are very courageous, be proud of yourself for taking care of you and your child.
Bless You

Wow! It’s amazing. When everyone around you thinks you’ve got major problems because you’re not the same as they are. Things that are so easy for them make YOU want to die. I’m also from Florida (Space Coast), 30 years old and I struggle with the “little things” as well. After 4 very nerve racking attempts over the past 8 years, I finally accomplished passing my driver test and got my license about 3 months ago. I couldn’t drive, it paralized me to get behind the wheel. My Fiancee bought me a Jetta (a car I’ve wanted for a long time)to encourage me to drive and get my license. IT WORKED!! Amazingly enough, I actually enjoy driving that car. I don’t want to drive anyone elses car (but I can now). If you don’t suffer from anxiety you couldn’t possibly imagine how free overcoming these “little things” will make you feel. Don’t get me wrong, I still suffer from anxiety every time I drive but it’s alot easier now. One thing that I believe helped me the most was praying every time I sat in the driver seat. The power of prayer is most definately REAL! Driving was my first major obsticle to overcome and I did it! Now I need to work on the rest. I’m completely confident in myself now that I can. It’s hard when you think you’re all alone and no one understands. I found someone who could understand and he comforted me when I really needed it the most but I had to seek him out. PRAISE JESUS! Keep praying and TRUST in the lord, you’ll get through it eventually!
Sincerely,
Dona

I have been battling with anxiety and espescially agoraphobia for years. I have been on so many nedications. In 2002 I had a major panic attack when I was driving and I had to get on the highway and go 100 mph to get home. I thoought I as dying. I told myself that I was never going to drive again. So for four years i was housebound. It’s so uncomfortable being nervous for days just thinking about when I hd to go to an appointment or anything, I would be nervous around peopl, I turned to food for comfort and gained alot of weight. I was so miserable not being able to do for myself, couldn’t work, couldn’t be comfortable. Around the begining of 2006 I started getting out little by little, then driving little by little, so then after that I was driving for about 10 months now I’m back to square one because I had another attack by myself in the car and I’m not driving again. It’s driving me crazy but ith my faith in God I know my time is coming again soon, I’m tired of my life passing me by it makes me depressed because my 28th birthday is coming up August 7th and I want to get out and drive and do things for myself again.

Great news that both Ginny and Claudia have made tremendous strides! From my experience with anxiety even the smallest of things are a huge victory! Keep thinking positive and keep your eye on recovery. I will be praying for you because I know the Lord does not want any of us to live this way and He will see us all through even in the roughest of storms.
I have to go to a wedding tomorrow on a big ship in a big ocean that doesn’t come back to dock for a big five hours. I am a nervous wreck about it but I just keep praying and will take my medication in faith! I will also keep in mind this wedding is not about me, it’s about them (that’s tough one when your having an anxiety attack).
Well congratulations to both Ginny and Claudia and keep on with those positive baby steps, we all know how you feel and you are never alone.
Debbie

I have trouble forgiving myself,, the mistakes I made made me homeless and sick, and along with social phobias, depression is really rage turned inside out and i’d rath er be angry than depressed and under the anger is hurt thats the real emotion. other people that could have helped me seem to be joyful at my suffering, that is the los angeles way, and will only be understood by l.a. people ; it is very different out here very bad, very very evil and waY TOO EXPENSIVE, IT IS A CITY AND A COUNTY THAT IS NOT COMPATABILE WITH LIFE. I have to leave but it is very hard to be a refugee in my own city, my own country, also there is nothing american here anymore, it has been invaded by backwards cultures that took over, and I won’t even start about the crime and corruption… leaving L.
a….

I have suffered with panic attacks(full blown) and “chronic agoraphia “,so bad !! I at the time was raising my 4 kids totally by myself…!! no one to help me ! god was i frightened,terrified,and at a loss for help !! I knew i had to see a dr.s about my problems but could’nt bare the thought of leaving the house it and gotten so bad that I had, to have a neighbor babysit my kids and she had to call an ambulance, to get me into the emergency room were they had admitted me for three days while they medicated me with xanax, some anti-depressant’s and some meds for the disorder’s I had and got me lined up with a counselor near my home and slowly after my meds started working !! i had to take baby steps , to still get out to go to the drs. appts , my neighbor would drive me ,I would make my appts,early in the morning so that I did’nt dwell on it all day then put off going & also breathing exercise’s and finally it was not hard at all, any more… gradually as I worked with my counselor!!! and finally was I going out into the world again!!!! before the attacks I was so out going but when they began it makes your world actually stop !!! but god will get you threw this honey !! go online gather all and any imfo you can …there is help out here ,believe me !!!!good luck and “us fellow ex- agoraphobics” will see ya at the mall some day !!!!

I have read alot of these post’s and they are all so similar !! like one person wrote “we are all so alike” and there are others’ out in public with the same issues !! this disorder is so common actually !! to those still suffering keep reaching out to other’s ,we whom have gotten a hold on it …are out here too !! and at the time I suffered they did’nt have the computer’s for me to reach out to any one,so “knowledge is power ” use it …!! cause you can recover from this horrible disorder !! get some help make calls read up on it ,do what ya can to get help and get better please honey… we are rooting for ya …. “britstarr333″

Tips for when in a panic:
Breathe deeply and slowly and count to four (in your head) with each inhalation and exhalation.
Do calesthenics / squeeze thigh, foot, or arm muscles and release. Focus on the relaxed feeling of the muscle when you release.
Wiggle your toes
Say a positive affirmation to yourself …ex: “I am divinely protected and completely loved !”

Just posted some tips and here is another good one!
I remember the feeling of my throat getting tight or feeling restricted and it was a great help to pop a strong (sugar free preferably) MINT..also just a sip of water can bring you back to reality.(yes, your body still works just fine )

I read some of the postings on agoraphobia,anxiety, and depression. I have them all,except I was never told I had agoraphobia. But i suffer from racing& fearful thoughts and I am wickedly scared (in my mind) that I am going to get agoraphobia! It eats away at me! I can’t afford to get it because I am engaged to get married and afraid that that would ruin it! Someone reply…anyone! Gotta go!