Thanks to you, about 3 years ago now, I got angry at the time Agoraphobia had stolen from my life. After 33 years in total, the first 8 years white knuckling trying to hold it at bay and 25 of being fully in its grasp, I earnestly started doing the work. For me, this was a brilliant read and very timely as a reminder to keep going. About 3 months ago I started a part time job after 25 years of not working, not returning to work after raising my family, Agoraphobia had truly taken hold. For me work is definitely doing life and it is also, still in these early days, exposure work. I'm constantly building evidence that I can do this. Thank you so much for your work, it has undoubtedly freed many lives.
I was so confused the first time someone said I had agoraphobia. I do leave my house…. Ok, but ONLY with my safe people, and ONLY to places that don’t force me to interact with people I don’t know. My DPDR is really bad, I feel like that helped push me into the agoraphobia. Being outside “feels” so uncomfortable, so I avoid it, especially alone. That’s it, enough time wasted… I just talked to my therapist about this yesterday… time to do the exposure and GET OUTSIDE! Time to hear the starting gun!
Although I’m much older than you I didn’t know this song and the lyrics. My mind went to a song starting ‘ time why you punish me … . ‘ Grammar aside much of the feeling is the same. I like you’ve injected a reason in your article though for hope. I’ve only half read the books though I’ve had them for over 2 years.
This was actually beautiful to me. While Ive made it personally mandatory to continue to “ get out there” with GAD, some of these same mind sets appear to still be there. Longing for full recovery never leaves me. Even when I’m in Walmart.
Absolutely love this episode, you've really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your continued dedication at producing such a great podcast - the only one I've listened to every episode on since the beginning!
I’m with you… listen to every episode without fail, even if I have to play catch-up later on some days. Just the right bite-size length and even if every single episode doesn’t relate (a lot do) I still learn loads & feel increasingly educated about the wider anxiety community. Just LOVED this episode, wonderfully articulated.. and having just listened to ‘Time’, what a beautiful piece of musical wisdom, can see what they say it’s timeless lol🎵 Thanks again Drew for broadening our horizons so magically!
I didn't start to make any improvement whatsoever until I began putting life in the soup. It simply can't be trying to recover all the time, and it can't be escaping recovery all the time. There are dreams and birthdays and music and books and comedy and dogs and cats and full moons and flowers and new episodes of good shows and all kinds of stuff happening while the anxiety is happening. It's not linear! Great post!
My husband's a big Pink Floyd fan. I will listen to this song. But it sounds like I was saying a few days ago about regretting the opportunities I missed because of fear and anxiety and I said I don't want to continue like this. So not being able to go back in time, I have to make the most of what I have left. Find a new way to do what I used to and can't anymore. Or something completely different (to quote Monty Python).
Very powerful and resonates with me so much . I’ve been hoping and waiting for the RIGHT therapy , the RIGHT medication , for my anti depressant withdrawal to come to an end , and whilst doing this , and waiting , I too feel like ive wasted way too much time already . And this may be why I now hate my home that me and family live in , as it feels like my prison .
Thanks to you, about 3 years ago now, I got angry at the time Agoraphobia had stolen from my life. After 33 years in total, the first 8 years white knuckling trying to hold it at bay and 25 of being fully in its grasp, I earnestly started doing the work. For me, this was a brilliant read and very timely as a reminder to keep going. About 3 months ago I started a part time job after 25 years of not working, not returning to work after raising my family, Agoraphobia had truly taken hold. For me work is definitely doing life and it is also, still in these early days, exposure work. I'm constantly building evidence that I can do this. Thank you so much for your work, it has undoubtedly freed many lives.
I was so confused the first time someone said I had agoraphobia. I do leave my house…. Ok, but ONLY with my safe people, and ONLY to places that don’t force me to interact with people I don’t know. My DPDR is really bad, I feel like that helped push me into the agoraphobia. Being outside “feels” so uncomfortable, so I avoid it, especially alone. That’s it, enough time wasted… I just talked to my therapist about this yesterday… time to do the exposure and GET OUTSIDE! Time to hear the starting gun!
Although I’m much older than you I didn’t know this song and the lyrics. My mind went to a song starting ‘ time why you punish me … . ‘ Grammar aside much of the feeling is the same. I like you’ve injected a reason in your article though for hope. I’ve only half read the books though I’ve had them for over 2 years.
Great words Drew! I always enjoy your insights. . . . . . . .
Love You Big Guy
This was actually beautiful to me. While Ive made it personally mandatory to continue to “ get out there” with GAD, some of these same mind sets appear to still be there. Longing for full recovery never leaves me. Even when I’m in Walmart.
And time has become so precious.
Absolutely love this episode, you've really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your continued dedication at producing such a great podcast - the only one I've listened to every episode on since the beginning!
Maybe the nicest thing someone can say to a writer or podcaster. I'm go happy you're finding it worthwhile. And thank you for your support. :-)
Pleasure 😊
I’m with you… listen to every episode without fail, even if I have to play catch-up later on some days. Just the right bite-size length and even if every single episode doesn’t relate (a lot do) I still learn loads & feel increasingly educated about the wider anxiety community. Just LOVED this episode, wonderfully articulated.. and having just listened to ‘Time’, what a beautiful piece of musical wisdom, can see what they say it’s timeless lol🎵 Thanks again Drew for broadening our horizons so magically!
I didn't start to make any improvement whatsoever until I began putting life in the soup. It simply can't be trying to recover all the time, and it can't be escaping recovery all the time. There are dreams and birthdays and music and books and comedy and dogs and cats and full moons and flowers and new episodes of good shows and all kinds of stuff happening while the anxiety is happening. It's not linear! Great post!
My husband's a big Pink Floyd fan. I will listen to this song. But it sounds like I was saying a few days ago about regretting the opportunities I missed because of fear and anxiety and I said I don't want to continue like this. So not being able to go back in time, I have to make the most of what I have left. Find a new way to do what I used to and can't anymore. Or something completely different (to quote Monty Python).
Thank you 😊
I like it when you’re philosophical 💜.
I really need to be more philosophical. 😉
Very powerful and resonates with me so much . I’ve been hoping and waiting for the RIGHT therapy , the RIGHT medication , for my anti depressant withdrawal to come to an end , and whilst doing this , and waiting , I too feel like ive wasted way too much time already . And this may be why I now hate my home that me and family live in , as it feels like my prison .