Originally Posted by
treeguy24 
I second the exercise suggestion. I start my day off early with a workout. It’s the one thing that helps keep me grounded, an outlet.
Anxiety can affect your heart. We aren’t doctors obviously and it’s good to get a professional opinion but I’m pretty sure anxiety can affect your heart rate, etc. One of the symptoms.
I am going to put it very bluntly, you gotta just get yourself out and do it. You’ll be ok. You can go back and forth with the anxiety day after day and wait for the right moment and it may never come. The longer you let the anxiety control you the worse things will become.
Get out of the house, go for a walk, do something. Sitting in the house with nothing but the anxiety for company can lead you to a dark place
Originally Posted by
trailmix I'm sorry you are struggling with so much anxiety/agoraphobia.
I know how debilitating it can be. My suggestion? Don't "try" to force yourself out, just do it (and I mean this literally as in right now - let us know how it goes).
Perhaps apply the breathing methods and other suggestions Dee has posted above before you walk out or stop while you are walking and apply them. Try counting as you walk, count your steps maybe.
Small steps, but consistent steps. Today your "outing" might be sitting on the front step for a few minutes (if you have one) and practicing the breathing technique. Or walking to the corner of your block and back. That's it. Maybe you can do that twice. Say - I will do that right now and throw your shoes/coat on and go. Then say, I will do that again later. When there is a lull in your day again, do it again, don't bother to dwell and plan and make it out to be some horrendous thing. You are walking two houses down or whatever, it truly is no big deal, tell yourself that. When you return, realize what you have done and what a success that is. You can do this, because you just have!
Maybe it's half a block, maybe it's 2 houses away. Make it manageable. Doing it and doing it consistently is the key.
Thank you both for your replies! I'm terribly sorry, but I forgot I posted in this forum. I have been walking to the local shop and back, but haven't really pushed myself out of my comfort zone yet. I will do though, as the anxiety seems to be diminishing a little bit.
I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again!