After working from home the past five years, I find myself in a panic sometimes

[Ziggysmom]

when I need to leave home for any reason. I suffer from depression & panic attacks, and I take Prozac and recently added Wellbutrin. I do see a trusted therapist monthly. She has given me the usual cognitive behavioral therapy suggestions, but nothing seems to work. I hesitate to take benzodiazepines due to side effects, but have used them successfully over 20 years ago.

I’m really feeling too old at 65 to take on even more problems. I still work full time and I’m the caregiver for my disabled husband with severe COPD. If anyone has any suggestions, I’d be happy to hear them.

Thanks! love DU and all the great members

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Wow that's a lot.

As if DUers are medical people able to recommend. With ups and downs I'd check the sugar, sweets, and carbs. Three weeks off that stuff and I much prefer a near-Keto diet. Lots of seafood, fish, sardines. Eliminate high fructose corn syrup from your food. All for better sleep, less volatility. Talk to the therapist about fear of going out and ask about agoraphobia and diet. Exercise. Can be 15 minutes 3-4 days a week. Light cardio for older folks.

Hope to hear the progress. Best to you!

[synni]

2. Are you able to afford biofeedback?

It's very helpful for a lot of conditions, both physical and mental. It also enhances the positive effects of the medications that you are taking. Look it up online, then ask your doctor about it, and see if your insurance covers it.

I think it could be very helpful for you, given your stressful lifestyle. I have been a caregiver for many years in the past, so I know how hard your job is.

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. It happens to me on occasion as well.

I notice it more and more these days. I have learned that the faster I get out of the house and going to whatever I was headed to do, it seems to fade away. It appears that it is the actual stepping out of the house (comfort zone for sure) that is the issue. Once I am out, I don't notice it as much.

I hope you can figure out what to do about this. Maybe go to places where you are outside but not around too many people? Like a park during an off time, or a trail that is not being heavily used at the time. As I said, once I get out I am fine.

[LiberalLoner]

4. Me too! Sometimes too when I am really anxious, I will talk to myself in the car or when no one

Can hear me, and I tell myself, I am safe, everything is going to be okay, etc. I know that sounds unbearably weird, but it really works for me, it’s almost like hearing someone else tell me those things.

💙💙💙🤗🤗🤗

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. No, it does not! It sounds normal to me.

I speak to the air all the time. My mother always said that talking to oneself is not a problem, but answering oneself is.



You might also consider having a certain soundtrack of music or whatever you might like to listen to always handy in the car in case you want to add to the feeling son being relaxed and/or energized and ready to face whatever. One that I have is nothing but music from movies and television. That one is great to get me motivated.

You got this.

(Here is one thing on that collection I mentioned. Enjoy!)

[LiberalLoner]

6. Thank you! 💙💙💙💙