Hello Everyone,
I just wanted to take a few minutes to introduce myself, as I am new to this site. My name is Adelaide, I am 33 and live in Eastern Canada. I have been living with panic disorder since 1999. There have been many ups and downs over these last 11 years. In 2007/2008 I started experiencing mild agoraphobia. At the time I was able to do the things I HAD to do, I managed a full time job, but life had very limited enjoyment. I eventually moved to a part-time job, then no employment. Over the last 6 months the agoraphobia and panic has been so bad, that I'm avoiding leaving the house altogether. At the start of 2011, I decided I've had enough. I do not want to continue living this way.
So I started a self-help CBT program on my own. The program has been good and I'm seeing some slight improvement. But there's been a loneliness associated with the program that has been making me feel isolated and depressed. It's just my husband and I, and since I never leave the house, keeping and maintaining friendships has been nearly impossible. My husband is very supportive and does what he can to help me along. However, since he is the only one currently working, it's hard for him to find the time and energy to take on the CBT program with me. So I found myself withdrawing from him in order to complete my daily homework, leaving me feeling alone in this battle.
I decided to go online to see if there were any sort of support groups, people who could relate and help motivate me and keep me from being discouraged when things do not progress as fast I want them to. Fortunately, I found this site!! And already I am feeling less depressed, less trapped in a cycle of gloom. I've read the first section of the workbook, and although it is very similar to the program I've already started, it is organized better and with this Support Group, I feel this approach would be more effective for me.
Anyway, I didn't mean to ramble. I'm normally a very shy person and hate talking about myself or opening up to anyone, but my New Year's Resolution was to change myself and let go of the panic and fear. So here I am. I'm going to take the next few days to read other's posts and getting to know the site a bit better. I have a great feeling about this, and I haven't had a great feeling about anything in a very long time. Thank you!!