Hey guys, My name's Drew & I'm 36, I've been struggling with agoraphobia and intrusive thoughts for about 16 years or so. While I've been a lurker on the r/Agoraphobia and r/OCD for a long time, after a recent set back, I decided to create a "throw away" account (tho I plan to actively use it here) to focus more on my re-re-re'recovery lol

I don't know anyone with Agoraphobia and/or OCD (probably because we all stick pretty close to our safety zones hah) I was hoping to reach out to some folks who are roughly my age bracket say late 20's-early 40's?(give or take) and maybe make a Discord or something where we could talk (even if it's just text) and share our wins, some gallows humor, commiserate and support each other in our peaks and valleys ¯_(ツ)_/¯

Any ways, something I thought might be helpful for me, dunno if any one else feels the same but if there's an interest maybe we can set something up!

Hello. I am a 41 year old who lives in Brooklyn, which feels contextually important because it isn't particularly gentle for the anxious and potentially agoraphobic. I spent the first 4 decades of my life being, if anything, obnoxiously outgoing and social. This summer I was walking to meet friends for my birthday dinner and had a very defining panic attack. This was far from my first one, but it was a BAD one, and it seemed to punctuate the first phase of an extremely stressful build up that sort of started taking place around April.

Since then I've felt close to accepting that anything outside of my house and a few select safe-feeling places is off limits. Going to the grocery store, once routine, feels pretty damn impossible. Having friends by, once a thing I thoroughly enjoyed, now feels grating and difficult. I don't own a car here, but had to rent one for a small trip and spent the entire car ride panicking, which I'd NEVER done before. I used to have to drive as part of a job for years, so it's not historically uncomfortable territory for me. I do not know exactly what happened but it's hellish and tragic. I feel like I need to move out of the city and find some rural small place where I can just live out my days as a recluse. Obviously I do not want that, but I am really, really struggling and would like to hear any encouragement or advise I can get. If this doesn't sound like a great spot for me or like I have a misunderstanding about how agoraphobia works I sincerely apologize, but if that's not the case, thank you ahead of time.

Hey guys, I’m a little nervous to share this, but I need some advice from people who understand.

I went through a pretty tough breakup not too long ago, and I decided to try meeting someone on Hinge, truthfully not knowing if I would actually have the guts to meet up with someone. I ended up meeting someone really great, and we have an insane amount in common. We even grew up around the same area.

We went on one date to a museum and then another to a pub after work. He’s smart and cool. He’s on a international trip right now, but he invited me on a picnic when he gets back and to a concert a few days later.

I’m not too worried about the concert. Even though it’s a bit of a drive for me, I’ve been to that venue before, and it’s small and cozy. What I am worried about is the picnic.

I’ve learned that he’s quite outdoorsy. He likes plants, hiking, exploring the wilderness, and stuff like that, which I also theoretically enjoy. I’m able to go on hikes through dense forests and take walks around familiar places with people. I wish I could enjoy these things more, but obviously, I’m on the agoraphobia subreddit.

I’ve been in a bit of a slump with my progress lately, too. I think it’s probably because of work stress and some lingering stress from the bad breakup.

I really want to give this a go, but I would also feel really shitty if I held this guy back from his adventures. I should mention that I’ve briefly mentioned my agoraphobia to him, but we didn’t get into it. I also have this on my Hinge profile under the prompt “One thing you should know about me”: “Recovering from agoraphobia for 7 years. Used to be a shut-in, but now I’m traveling and living life, and I’m very proud of my progress.”

Maybe this makes it sound like I’m doing better than I actually am. I’m not sure. But it’s true that I’ve traveled with my family and come a long way from being trapped in my childhood bedroom. I live on my own now and have a good job and can do everything I need to do like shopping and most outings with friends.

I was thinking of suggesting we have the picnic in the little green area in my neighborhood. I can’t really think of anywhere else I’d feel truly comfortable. I’ve been trying to push myself harder with my exposure walks since I met him.

I think he’s great, and this could be a good way for me to get out a bit more. But at the same time, he has a very free spirit, and I feel kind of horrible at the thought of squashing that.

Please be nice to me. I know we've only been on two dates so maybe I'm overthinking this....

I’m 23 years old, and I’ve basically lived my entire life in isolation. I rarely go out, mostly just on Sundays because my parents are very religious and strictly demand it; if I refused, it would cause huge drama and they would use religion to manipulate me. I don’t have any friends or a social life, and after finishing high school and university online last year, I hardly interact with anyone in person. I work remotely for an adult platform, which allows me to protect myself and feel comfortable, although as far as my parents know, 'I don't have a job' (telling them the truth about what I do for a living would be an abomination to them).

My parents are very controlling and toxic. My father, in particular, has a history of physical violence from my childhood, and I barely speak to him: I only reply briefly and coldly when he asks me something, while my mother was complicit in that entire situation. I never received emotional support from them, only food and an education. I harbor a lot of resentment and know they are the reason behind my isolation. They demand that I don't have a boyfriend or gain independence until I own a house and have financial stability, which is almost impossible given the economic situation in my country. Although I have enough savings to get by for a couple of years if I manage them carefully, in their eyes, it's never enough.

I know they want me to stay so I can take care of them when they get old, but I don't feel that in my heart. Trying to leave this house is a nightmare: when my older sister tried at 25, they hid her documents and made her life miserable until she managed to leave by getting married, and they still criticize her today.

That’s why the only solution I see is escaping to go live with my long-distance boyfriend. We’ve been together for three years; he lives in Florida (USA) and knows everything about my situation, although his mother hasn't met me in person and doubts me (thinking I might be after money or a visa). He also lives with his family, and the idea of taking the leap to become independent and come to Argentina overwhelms him a bit, so it will take courage and time. If I need to leave sooner, an acquaintance from my city who knows about my situation has offered to help me get somewhere else so I can reunite with my boyfriend.

I feel like my life is passing me by while fulfilling my parents' wishes. I’m mentally exhausted, I want to be free, start completely from scratch as if being born again, and take the risk just to have a life of my own.

I’d really appreciate any opinions or perspectives on this.

Hey everyone. I’m a 21 year old female that has been struggling with agoraphobia for the past year and a half. This started because of some undiagnosed health issues I have going on. It’s mostly resulted from my time in the doctors and hospitals. I have a mole in suspicious of and really want to get checked out on top of all my other health issues I have put off. Doctors are my biggest triggers in the world unfortunately. I’m looking for anyone who can relate to my story and maybe would want to encourage each other to get to the doctors or would just be willing to share their stories. Just feeling a bit lonely in all of this.

It feels like I’m sabotaging my own recovery.
I’ve been on sick leave for several months because of agoraphobia and panic disorder. I also struggle with health anxiety, and as you all know, everything is connected.
Through therapy, I’ve been able to identify some of the underlying factors, such as the belief that no one can help me. For quite a while, I was making a lot of progress.
But for the past few weeks, I’ve been experiencing such severe upper back pain, which keeps changing in nature, that my focus has shifted COMPLETELY away from recovering from my anxiety, and EVERYTHING now revolves around my back pain.
I can barely sleep anymore. My doctors say there’s nothing wrong apart from muscle tension and an oversensitive nervous system. Thankfully, I’ve finally managed to convince my doctor to order an MRI, which I’m having next week.
I’m already trying so many things to help with the back pain: physical therapy, osteopathy, exercise, yoga, etc. But nothing seems to be making it better.
My anxiety is getting worse again. I’m having panic attacks at home, thinking that the pain is unbearable, and I feel like I just want to go to the hospital. At the same time, I’m constantly reinforcing my belief that “no one can help me,” because if I went to the hospital for back pain, I’m sure they wouldn’t be particularly happy to see me there.
It’s such a horrible vicious cycle, and right now I feel so hopeless and overwhelmed. I genuinely don’t know how this will ever stop.
Today, the pain is really bad again, and I’m constantly monitoring my body and checking in with how I feel.
It’s almost as if my anxiety is doing everything it can to maintain control, and I just can’t seem to fight my way out of it…

Im the guy who was being forced to move out alone. Well ive moved out alone and have begin to go to college. Previous 2 years i took gap years cause of anxiety. Im still not even remotely good in terms of agoraphobia this is all in a 15 min radius. But since then from when i moved i had only 1 panic attack the first day sleeping here and some intense anxiety first 2 days of college. But other than that me moving out having to do things on my own has improved my agoraphobia a lot. I used to go gym only in the morning where it was empty now i can go any hour and dont really care. I also rode in a friends car (i hate cars cause of agoraphobia). in just 2 weeks i done more progress than i did in the last 2 years staying home

Would anyone like to be friends? 26 year old queer female, into older music, craftinggg, sewing, gardening, pretty much every "grandma hobby" out there lol. just so insanely hard to make friends with this illness.
someone to just text during the day or do watch party nights! body double on the phone! whatever!
dms are open :))

I’m absolutely terrified being in cars and it’s becoming unsustainable,
Lost my first love to a car accident as well as other friends
Been in over 20 car accidents myself
I just wish cars didn’t exist

Im going to the dentist bright and early a
in the morning and I’m extremely nervous. I haven’t been since my agoraphobia started and I have no idea how I will cope with the anxiety Im going to have. Any advice?

I’m 21M, have never had a job, and have been suffering from agoraphobia for years now. I find it incredibly difficult to leave the house alone, the idea of a job and being ‘trapped’ in a building for a few hours is my worst nightmare, but I desperately need money. I’m tired of feeling like I don’t contribute anything to my family home, and everyone around me is making me feel like I’m a waste of space. (Ideally I would’ve moved out by now, but that isn’t realistic, and likely won’t be for a long while).

I need suggestions/advice on jobs that might feel a bit more manageable for neurodivergent individuals with agoraphobia and severe social anxiety. If you have any personal experiences you can share, or general advice, I’d appreciate hearing.

Hello, I'm trying to Exist Again, I just turned 24 last week [& had a really bad crying panic attack that I quite literally did Nothing my entire late teens & early 20s]. On the rare occasions I do go out, rather than panic attacks which I think is more common, I kinda start existing in third person. I kinda feel like I'm watching myself exist so I can be Normal but at the same time I feel like a ghost, but like one of those cartoony sheet ones w/ no arms or legs, so I'm floating but not really in control other than basic movement if that makes any sense.

I'd like to go out & get a job, make IRL friends, etc but I can't be present cause my brain automatically goes into 3rd person whenever I leave cause that's the only way I'm not crushed by the anxiety [which I still feel very anxious it's weird ig it's kinda like the anxiety is split between the 3rd person body Me & the observer Me, both are feeling it but it's divided between the two so I can temporarily function in public].

I never really feel Human, but at home it's more of a "I'm next to myself" then when I leave I get further away if that makes any sense at all

Does anyone have any tips on stopping this ? Or at least managing better ? Sorry if this makes no sense I'm bad at explaining my mental state cause Ive also got a poor memory so I often fully forget how I feel/felt about stuff. I am in therapy, just wanna know if anyone else who's delt w/ this has tips/advice

I worked my tolerance up by dog walking and sitting for some friends in the area. Then, I applied at a Trader Joe’s and unexpectedly got the job, and I just finished my first shift. I was hysterically crying out of fear last night because I didn’t think I could do it, but today it actually went very well. I asked my manager for shorter shifts and explained the situation, and he was super nice and accommodating. I’m still not 100% comfortable and will probably be nervous for my shift at the end of the week, but at least I know I can do it now. It’s kinda crazy remembering when I couldn’t even go to the end of the block of my street without freaking out. Hopefully this is encouraging to some!

I’ve been dealing with agoraphobia for like 7 years at this point. I’ve had periods where I was able to function pretty well but was still struggling. I finally caved and spoke to my doc about what I’ve been dealing with and was prescribed Zoloft. I’m on 100mg currently am working on upping my dose to about 200+ mg in the future. I still struggle leaving the house and am effectively a shut in so to speak. I was laid off from my job like 5 months ago so I don’t really go out aside from the occasional grocery run which I usually will have delivered. It’s been about 6 months since I’ve started and I’m at a loss as to whether I should continue with these meds or make the switch as I’m still unable to really leave the house freely. Does anyone have advice? Does it take longer than 6 months to see significant change?

I have been putting this off for days because i've been nervous about leaving my home. Even though it is supposedly "not far away"-

The clinic where I would get my flu shot. My husband offered to share a cab with me to the clinic. And then I waited to get my shot.

As I left, I was prepared to get a lift home and usually that works. But I was in a very crowded place. There was construction, and unfortunately, a few blocks, south, a street had been closed for kids to play on. I've been in this situation, one or two times so I walked a few blocks south towards my home.

But it ended up not working out the way I wanted. I scheduled a lyft, but unfortunately it had to be canceled because of all the traffic. I started getting really agitated and nervous and walked a little further south. But my mind was getting panicky, and I had to put some earplugs in to cancel out some of the extra noise.

Finally, I found a place to try and get a different lift. But it was still taking a really long time, and my mind was running a 1000 Miles a minute, and I was trying to do lots of deep breathing, but I felt like I was gonna start crying any minute, and then I was worried that I felt like I had to go to the bathroom. And I was about 10 or 11 blocks from my home, and I was about to ask my husband to walk 10 blocks to get me, and then 10 blocks back to the house.

Which I know sounds ridiculous, probably to anybody who doesn't have agorophobia. Luckily, the second cab was able to come. It was a very quick ride. I got home. But unfortunately, I got into an argument with my husband. I realize it's a silly argument. I was telling him how I was feeling, and he said, oh, it's okay to feel sad. It's okay to feel scared. It's okay to feel like you're gonna cry. He likes to normalize my emotions, which I find is very kind. But for me, it felt like he was saying it's okay to feel those feelings when you're outside and for me, no, that's not true. Because I have to get myself home.

So this is a losing battle, and I didn't mean for us to argue, but there really isn't an easy way for us to chat about that. I do know that this is a win in the fact that I didn't have a complete meltdown in the street. But i'm also worrying, what would have happened if I hadn't gotten my second attempt at a cab? I have yet to walk more than 3 or 4 blocks in my neighborhood since 2019. And this is how far I could get, but still, it makes the worry side of me a little stronger.

Hi, I'm an agoraphobiac of multiple years and I've just dropped another therapist I had. I've tried therapy around 7-8 times and almost every single time I felt misunderstood, ignored or felt the therapist does not know anything about my type of anxiety. I've mainly tried CBT and psychodynamic therapy but I've recently been wondering if I should try a different type of therapy. So I'm asking, what therapy module helped you best? What are your experiences? What are some things you believe a therapist should be to appropriately treat this condition? Has any specific type of therapy help you more than the others? (I am NOT asking for professional advice, I just want to hear about what you've experienced going to therapy with agoraphobia) Thank you <3

After almost 2 years of trying and failing to get to a dentist I finally made it today!! It was only an exam but I still did it. I booked this appointment last week and it was for today at 10:45am, I took some medication last night, ate this morning and then me and my brother got into a taxi and headed to the dentist. It’s only a 5 minute drive which is good because then it gives me less time to panic, I was holding onto the car door the whole time saying I couldn’t do it and I needed to go home and before I knew it I was already there. I got out and went into the dental practice, it was a new dentist I hadn’t even been here before but had walked past many times before becoming agoraphobic so I knew the area. I did have to wait in the waiting room for about 10 minutes and then I got called in. I was allowed to bring my brother in with me and then the exam started, the dentist checked my teeth with a mirror and poked around abit and then did the X-rays which I think is the hardest part and I was gagging a little bit and it dug under my tongue abit. I was so scared they was going to say all my teeth had to come out because I had only ever been to a dentist twice in my life and that was 10 years ago, I’ve been thinking about the worse case scenarios for months now. I’m happy to say all that is needed is one filling and a cleaning!! I still need to book in for that but I’m so happy I stuck with it and went! I even managed to go to the shop up the road before getting in a taxi and going home. This was the furthest I had been away from home in years and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. I am so proud of myself and hopefully one day I can go alone.

Hey everyone! Before all dont hesitate to contact me if you need to talk/help/ need support ect cus i know what is it to have this horrible life ..

I’ve been struggling with severe agoraphobia since 2021, with constant rocking sensations, dizziness, weak legs, and the fear of falling whenever I went outside.
2025 was especially difficult. Sometimes I could barely walk 50–100 meters from home. I genuinely thought I’d never get my normal life back.
In March 2026, I started sertraline, gradually increasing to 125 mg.
Seven months later, my life has completely changed.
I can now walk around 10,000 steps a day, go shopping, visit restaurants, and travel again. I recently spent 12 hours in Barcelona and walked 20,000 steps with almost no symptoms!
I still occasionally experience rocking sensations, but my nervous system no longer reacts with the same fear and panic. I can finally enjoy life again.
I’m not 100% recovered, but I honestly feel very close. ❤️
I wanted to share this because I know how hopeless agoraphobia can feel.
Please don’t lose hope. Recovery is possible!
And if anyone needs someone to talk to, encouragement, support, or simply someone who understands, my DMs are always open. ❤️
You’re not alone!

i finished thyroid cancer treatment about a month ago after 6 months of treatment. i spent a couple years undiagnosed for my cancer and autoimmune disease before getting my thyroid removed. i thought i just had work burn out or autistic burn out as i could barely get out of bed before i received a cancer and hashimotos diagnosis. now as things are improving for my health i realize ive spent years isolated and then years or months in a medical setting for treatment. my boyfriend says my social skills are limited but friends who knew me from college would know an outgoing social friendly person who partied although i was too trusting and gullible. now i’m a shell of myself way more anxious and way more reserved and bitter.

i know it will take time but i even just in general struggle to leave the house now, my self esteem is shot. i feel like many cancer survivors wont relate to my experience as i didn’t really have the energy or bandwidth to lean on people during my journey and mostly isolated. i feel like ive become more autistic if that makes any sense. any advice? my social anxiety is so bad now and i really dont want to go out but i am more sad just sitting home when my body is ready to go live life again.

i feel like little coffee shop social interactions bother me now just trying to interact with strangers in general as i have spent so many months even years pulling away from the world. it’s kind of scary i feel like i just have regressed by the day and i used to travel for work and work full time. how can i improve my self esteem or social interactions? or even want to?

Hello, F22

I am not somebody who frequently posts on reddit as you can tell by my profile, however I have been a frequent lurker on this sub, particularly while I was in the depth of my struggles. Since I was very young, I have had perscriptions shoved down my thoat. I have been perpetually angry and scared since I was extremely young. I always felt like I was too aware of the world around me and found myself feeling like I was under a microscope. Lithium, prozac, ativan, klonopin, every SSRI, and even holistic medicines. In high school I underwent what I believed was a remission, but really everything I was experiencing was a distraction. I was popular, I had friends, but most importantly I had alcohol. After my first sip I was hooked, it felt like every struggle I had ever experience seeped away as soon as I had a shot or two. about a year ago in my senior year of college, it caught up to me. After a severe breakup I found myself in a constantly on edge state, and my panic attacks turned into agoraphobia. My specific fear was passing out or having a seizure while driving. Slowly, this fear compiled onto itself until I wasn't able to go into stores or places alone. I told NO ONE. It got to a point where people began to catch on. I had no choice but to give medication a chance again. After being traumatized by them, I was extremely apprehensive but my doctor assured me that a child's brain was different than an adults brain. I have since driven on highways, I am no longer as afraid of feeling trapped, and most importantly I have a zest for life again. I can drive to my friends or even my boyfriend's house an hour away. Lexapro has not been all fun and games, but it has given me my life back. I went in for a job intervew today, six months ago I would have gone numb and lightheaded in the chair due to feeling I had "No way out". The best way I can describe the mindset change is just realizing that it's not that deep, there's always a way out, but you don't need it. You are ok. BTW this is coming from somebody who's worst fear six months ago was being in the line at target. I used to silently browse this thread for a shred of hope, which was hard to come by. (There is bias on this thread! People who have overcome agoraphobia are OUTSIDE, not here, which is why I came back for all of you!) I now make conversation with the checkout person at the store and happily walk to my car, which I drive home in. NOTHING felt more impossible than this so little ago. Do not give up, your brain is plastic and changeable, you can get better, and you will. Be uncomfortable, people who are comfortable do not change.

I just went on a 2 week vacation to the west coast of the US and something happened to me that I haven’t experienced yet.

My anxiety was through the roof for this vacation. In the beginning, I thought maybe it was due to me just not going on vacations often so I wasn’t used to it and my anxiety kicked in.

The longer vacation went on, the more I started to be able to pinpoint why I felt like my anxiety was high. I was pretty anxious about being away from home, period. I’ve fallen accustom and comfortable to my daily home routine and being out of that initiated stress.

On top of just anxiety about being away from home, I was super freaked out about being on the coast 45 min to an hour away from much civilization, mainly hospitals.

When we traveled inland, my anxiety was still there but definitely less and I felt safer.

My anxiety has been a bit higher for months, random anxiety attacks even just sitting on my couch. I luckily haven’t had a full blown panic attack recently but it’s gotten close.

I feel beyond frustrated that I was unable to fully and completely enjoy my 2 week vacation….it made me feel insane to have anxiety like that in such amazing places.

I had not heard of agoraphobia until I was doing research on my experience. I do not want it to get worse and I do not want to be fearful of life and especially traveling. I’m just sad.

Halloween and film are two of my favorite things, so every year when October rolls around, I try to watch as many spooky movies as I can. This year, I thought it would be really fun to start a movie club around this theme with other agoraphobes. We can't go out and go to Halloween parties and do the usual seasonal activities, but participating in a movie club to celebrate the season could be a great way to socialize and enjoy spooky season with others.

I'm thinking that maybe 2-3 times a week we could get together and watch a movie and then discuss it afterwards, or even chat a bit during the film. We could also each provide a personal rating and keep a record. I already have a lot of movies in mind, but the group can select what to watch by taking a vote and people can also submit films for vote that they want to see.

Most of the movies will be horror movies so if that isn't your cup of tea then this club might not be ideal for you. But we can also watch thrillers and non-scary movies that are simply Halloween adjacent.

The movie club doesn't need to be large, and in fact it's probably better if the group is smaller. But I'd also be happy even if only one or two other people are up for this. If anyone is interested, I will make a server and send you an invite. Please be at least 20 years old.

If everything goes well, perhaps the club could be extended to December for X-mas/holiday movies or something too. I'm also open to suggestions.

Edit: The discord server is up! And there is no age limit to join!