Agoraphobic

carryingmoonbeams said:

So I started a new semester at school and my old habits came back. Every time I’m at school, I get so nervous and anxious that I never leave my room, I end up falling behind in class, and then I have to leave the school. This is the 3rd time this anxiety has come up. I can’t leave my room most of the time except to go to the bathroom. It’s to the point where I don’t bother getting ready anymore. I really need tips and tricks to get out of my room because I’ll never accomplish my goals.

Another note: my anxiety is slightly related to the fact that I gained 60 pounds in 2 years and feel really insecure going in public because of my appearance.

So I guess I need help with both. But I contacted the counseling center here and am trying to move forward but I haven’t been to class yet and it’s been a week! I need help ASAP and I don’t know what to do.


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Hey there, and welcome! I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. It sounds miserable. I gained a bunch of weight in the past couple of years, too, and I know how it can make you FEEL like everyone is looking, even when they're not. And the anxiety can feel like you will never get where you want to go... I wonder if you could make some smaller goals for yourself instead of worrying about those bigger goals for now? Like, maybe not even get to class, but just get to a certain place on campus and sit there and read for an hour or something? The most important thing right now is for you to get yourself healthy - the rest is secondary, okay? What's awesome is that it sounds like you are already taking some steps by reaching out to the counseling center at your school. That's a great first step!

carryingmoonbeams said:

So I started a new semester at school and my old habits came back. Every time I’m at school, I get so nervous and anxious that I never leave my room, I end up falling behind in class, and then I have to leave the school. This is the 3rd time this anxiety has come up. I can’t leave my room most of the time except to go to the bathroom. It’s to the point where I don’t bother getting ready anymore. I really need tips and tricks to get out of my room because I’ll never accomplish my goals.

Another note: my anxiety is slightly related to the fact that I gained 60 pounds in 2 years and feel really insecure going in public because of my appearance.

So I guess I need help with both. But I contacted the counseling center here and am trying to move forward but I haven’t been to class yet and it’s been a week! I need help ASAP and I don’t know what to do.


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Hi and welcome carryingmoonbeams. I'm an agoraphobic and like you, just can't push myself at times. We both know deep down that the outside of our "safe" confines is not anywhere near as scary as our mind and body tells us and actually just isn't scary for other people that don't have our disease. We have an anxiety disorder that for me affects me physically, over my whole body, when thinking about or actually going outside of my safe zone. But, we still have our lives to live, have commitments, (like school in your case) chores, social obligations whether with family or friends that we somehow need to conquer.
@Hurt&Hopeful is right that baby steps are the key. I set a very realistic and finishable goal for myself each day and make sure, regardless of the discomfort, that I accomplish that goal. Any other tasks I might accomplish that day are icing on the cake. I suggest you might try a similar system. It's a shame that you've added the body image aspect as an additional hurdle. I'm past that. As long as I shower everyday and wear clean clothes and don't go commando if wearing shorts (a good rule) my appearance doesn't affect my agoraphobia. I've got enough anxiety demons without worrying about what others might think about my appearance.
Again welcome and keep us posted about your progress.