What are
/r/Agoraphobia's
favorite Products & Services?
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The most popular Products mentioned in /r/Agoraphobia:
The most popular Services mentioned in /r/Agoraphobia:
Coursera
Bandlab
Amazon
f.lux
The most popular Android Apps mentioned in /r/Agoraphobia:
The most popular reviews in /r/Agoraphobia:
Use F.lux to cut down on the blue light your screen produces.
I had the same issues as you for over a year when my agoraphobia first started. I also was playing computer many hours a day. Make sure you are giving your eyes a break. Even if it's only once or twice a day try to remember to shut them for a while.
I also bought a 144hz 1080p monitor and it seems to help. It could be from a few things though because I also started taking Vitamin D and CBD oil around that time too.
Fainting is actually my root fear with agoraphobia, and it's never even happened to me. "Almost" did once, and that was the catalyst/trigger for my agoraphobia.
As I understand it, this is a pretty common fear among agoraphobics. Most of us have some "catastrophic" symptom we live in fear of that keeps us anxious and holed up. It may be specific like fainting or vomiting, or more ambiguous like "going crazy" or losing control.
Being abused to the point of passing out sounds like it must have been extremely traumatic and could easily have led to it being something your brain keeps going back to. It was your body protecting itself in that moment--it doesn't mean you're a "fainter." If you haven't fainted from severe pain (or being high, or anything else) since you were younger, you probably know how unlikely it is on a logical level.
What kind of therapy did you do? CBT would likely be really helpful, if you're not currently doing it.
This workbook https://www.amazon.com/dp/1572243236/ actually specifically addresses the fear of fainting in it, and it's more than just a blurb about it. The book is essentially a CBT/exposure "at your own pace" guide, I'd really recommend it.
This page (and entire website) is written by a doctor of psychology who specializes in anxiety disorders; it specifically addresses the fear of fainting also: http://www.anxietycoach.com/what-panic-attacks-can-do-to-you.html
Good luck. You're absolutely not alone. Get back into therapy and you can beat this!
I’m sorry you’re going through this. I’m a work in progress myself. I started dealing with panic attacks a long time ago and agoraphobia the last couple years. There have been a few things that have been helpful for me.
This book: Panic Attacks Workbook
And this woman, Dr. Claire Weekes. Including this audiobook. It was written/recorded quite a while back, but the overall concept and methods are good. Claire Weekes
I wish you all the best.
Also, have you heard of a habit tracker? It goes month-to-month, but I’m just going to start in January next month. Here’s the one I got off Amazon, I like the style compared to others I looked at
This is a very common issue. Disposable seem to be the easiest for most people to use but personally I bought this mask and it's been the most comfortable/breathable one I've used yet. My therapist also sent me this article which full disclosure I haven't gotten around to reading yet, but I trust my therapist to be giving me quality information.
Thanks! I read 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' which was incredible... so I have everything in the right piles. But actually getting rid of the stuff is really hard. I've gotten rid of like... six bags worth of clothes and I'm still working on the rest. The main problem for me is like, taking out the trash regularly.
It's a shame. If you're fluent enough in English and have good internet access, you could look up free online courses like Coursera.
They even have some classes in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles.
When I was at the deepest of my depression and I took a few classes there. It made me feel less useless and the planning aspect helped me frame my life better.
Perhaps check out this book. It’s beyond helpful and simplifies steps, mindset, info needed to get better.
Well done for sharing this as it’s very brave of you. I so hear what you are saying. Sometimes the anxiety can be worst in the house and then we we leave the house we are fine.
You might do good to buy the book called: ‘Conquering Anxiety’ Eva and Nik Speakmans. Tp basically work through your schemas, reframing some of your thoughts on your past experiences to get more of your confidence back.,
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Conquering-Anxiety-Worrying-Stress-Happy/dp/B07QN8HQSH/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?
Also if you believe in praying this might help too. As it helps me a lot.
I'd ask on /r/bipolar2. I have bipolar II as well, but I haven't taken that med before, so I'm not familiar with what the withdrawals are like. Do you have anything you could take over the counter to help ease the anxiety temporarily? Maybe this:
https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Factors-Stress-Relax-Suntheanine-L-Theanine/dp/B000OEPAH0/
Doesn't cure the anxiety, but it helps take the edge off. You can get l-theanine at pretty much any store.
I've had severe anxiety during hypomania and mixed episodes as well, so if it continues even after you're back on medication, that might be it.
Sorry to hear this, hope things get better for you soon.
I can kinda relate to feeling super tired /falling asleep and having anxiety. Not trying to scare you but it’s was a side effect of my meditation, gave me a brain infection… (my blood tests all came back normal too), so maybe you should ask your doctor what kind of side effects the medicine you’re on now can have? It doesn’t have to be this “serious”, but maybe feeling sleepy/ tired like you described can be a common side effect? Just a suggestion.
A dr whose book I read, thinks depression, anxiety, insomnia etc is all caused by inflammation of the brain too. And our modern diets doesn’t really help the matter either.. it’s called why isn’t my brain working; https://www.amazon.com/Why-Isnt-My-Brain-Working-audiobook/dp/B00Q7L0U6U/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3RW8VDKWT2IS4&keywords=why+isnt+my+brain+working%2C+dr.+datis+kharrazian&qid=1652218185&sprefix=why+isnt+%2Caps%2C178&sr=8-1 If you’re curious.
And I hope you’ve checked your b12 levels and vitamin d, iron etc, because they can also have an effect on being exhausted and depressed.
Also, I second that it can sound like cfs too, hope you ask your doctor about it.
Grief is like being hit by a truck. It can even cause anxiety in people who have never had it before. There's a good little book that might help, called Good Grief, that tells you how so much of the reactions are normal. Maybe even though it has been awhile, you might find it helpful.
https://www.amazon.com/Good-Grief-Anniversary-Granger-Westberg/dp/0800697812
in rare instances your device might not support the requirements,
do you see anything at this link https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Vortle.SnowHome ?
I have suffered from Anxiety and Panic Attacks for 7 years now. I have had ups and downs. I have tried many treatments (Anti Depressants, Xanax, Therapy, CDB, Exercise, and Diets). I am not a doctor. Recently I have been having daily panic attacks and all day anxiety again and it really pulled my life to a halt. I am not sure if this is the treatment for everyone but I found these vitamins on Amazon. Immediately, since day 1 of taking them, I have not had any (0) anxiety and (0) panic attacks. It has been 10 days straight now, my life is normal again and I haven't felt this way since I was young. If you do try this, please DM me and let me know how it worked for you. I cancelled my therapy appointments and my therapist is looking into this more now.
LES Labs Cortisol Health, Adrenal Support Supplement for Stress Relief, Balanced Cortisol Response & Adrenal Fatigue with Phosphatidylserine & Ashwagandha
My left side of my face goes numb and I also get pins and needles in my arms and hands. I've felt like I'm going to pass out and get blurry vision.
Sorry you're going through this, something I've been looking into is homeopathic medicines that could help some people I've tried it and it seemed to work for me. If you want to check it out here's the link.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P0VK7C?ref=ppx\_yo2\_dt\_b\_product\_details&th=1
I struggle with these as well. Congratulations on making the progress you’ve made so far, that’s huge!!
I’m just going to add a few things that are helpful for me. Sometimes I use all of them, sometimes I only need one.
My agoraphobia comes with a host of physical symptoms like vomiting, which is fun. So something that physically kinda takes me out of it a little is my tens unit. You can find them for about $30 online. I bought this one on Amazon... HealthmateForever YK15AB TENS unit EMS Muscle Stimulator 4 outputs 15 https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00O7CM12W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_R4AVENTKAFV8BQNMKXA2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I put two of the sticky things on my wrists about two to three inches down from my hand and use the acupuncture setting and start low and turn it up if I’m really feeling super anxious.
I also have two apps that help me mellow out when I’m in my head too much. I use the anxiety relief app. Which works really well with headphones. It’s about 23 minutes long and it’s one of the only things that I’ve found that can calm me down when I’m starting to spiral.
Another fantastic app is the Calm app. There’s a whole section for anxiety. One great one under the meditate section is called Panic SOS. There’s a 4 min and a 10 min. Those work really well with anticipation, I also struggle a lot with anticipation.
And just in my head... I do deep breathing and I say to myself... “anxiety is just a sensation”. And also “when has there ever been a time where you couldn’t handle “the thing you’re doing right now”. Then say never!! And kinda try to give myself confidence, even if it feels forced.
None of these are a perfect fix, but combined, have helped me a lot over the years.
I could recommend you a book that’ll help you understand it it’s
Check this out: Overcoming Panic and Agoraphobia (Overcoming Books)... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1849010021/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_imm_t1_8EBMM86X74HNQBA6D5JR
read this book
this book is the best you can get IMO. It’s focus is on panic attacks.
Sadly, yes - exposure is the cure, but it won’t work until you’re ready, and you have to do it right. You can’t just go places freak out and go home. You have to have the right mindset when you push yourself. Don’t live a spot until your suds rating is down, etc.
That book actually does a good job of explaining everything. You just don’t get any behavioral therapy like you would a psychologist.
Hi there! I understand this a lot. I had a panic attack majorly at work in July and i missed a lot. It terrified me to think about returning again. It’s very scary I know. But I went back last week and slowly working on stuff as bad as it seems. You can only get over it by pushing yourself. Things still are hard but not as hard as they were the first day.
I highly recommended this book called From Panic To Power. My neighbor told me to get it and it’s helped A LOT. It teaches you to retrain your mind with certain thoughts and understand them better. It has a lot specifically for Agoraphobia
https://www.amazon.com/Panic-Power-Techniques-Anxieties-Conquer/dp/0060927585
The book is called "<em>The Feeling Good Handbook</em>" but yeah trying not to predict what will happen is a sure fire way to lower the amount of anxiety you have.
There are studies that aerobic exercise is as or more effective than antidepressants. Have you tried that? If you don't have any equipment and can't get out to run or go the gym because of your agoraphobia - I recommend dancing at home. This book is really helpful for getting started if you have mental health issues. One key point which it doesnt emphasize enough is that to really kick up your mood you need to get your heart rate into the target zone for at least 20 minutes.
I have recently started reading Un-agoraphobic by Hal Mathew. I am liking it so far. I for the first time believe that this is all caused by negative thinking and nothing more! https://www.amazon.com/Agoraphobic-Overcome-Agoraphobia-Step-Step/dp/1491534427
Definitely do your best to visualize how excited not only you, but the people who you are going to be attending the events with will be to see you. Anxiety is very close to excitement and sometimes it's easier to flick a switch to excitement than it is to quash the anxiety. I personally keep 2 CDs in my cars stereo, one with a bunch of super mellow tracks that my mind fixates on to keep my chill, and one with some really amp it up blood pumping fuck the world I can do anything music, for when I start flipping over to panic and need to channel some bravery and excitement.
On the other side of things, work on your coping skills, meditation, deep breathing exercises. I particularly like the Rodale book on Mindfulness Meditation.
It was actually incredibly helpful for me with coping with my anxiety, possibly even more helpful than my therapist had been, it gave me the tools to make my therapy worthwhile.
If it helps at all, 4 years ago I couldn't leave my street. This past year I had a wedding that I was CONVINCED for a long time I would not make. It was in an incredibly high traffic area, over a draw bridge (in a shore town on the beach) in the middle of the summer. I told everyone to prepare for the possibility of me not making it, but I did. You can do this.
If you have a problem, just remember, it's not because you don't want it enough or you don't love the people enough, it's because you're going through something, you're sick, and you will get better. It's really important to remember that it's not because of a lack of will, or a lack of desire, sometimes things are just hard to get over and the time frame number crunch isn't in our favor. But you can and will do this.