Need to know things get better...

Emstarlily

Thank you always_amazed but I'm not sure that applies to me. The reason I am mostly housebound is through agoraphobia and strangely claustrophobia.. for all intents and purposes the old bod works fine, if a little unfit,. But because of that I don't think I am eligable, judging by what it says on the site. I might ring someone and find out though

always_amazed

I've sent you a PM with some (I hope) useful information in it; hope thy help, if they don't work PM be back and I'l see where I've gone wrong!!

Emstarlily

always_amazed wrote: »

I've sent you a PM with some (I hope) useful information in it; hope thy help, if they don't work PM be back and I'l see where I've gone wrong!!

Thanks very much .. you're right it does seem very helpful! Having a look at it now and already I've seen some information that I didn't know.. Will let you know how I get on by PM...

Also tried to call CAB today but i noticed their helplines close at 3 by the time I had everything "more important" done it was too late. I will make a note to call first thing in the morning..

dancingfairy

I'm sure you can't be the only one with agraphobia/claustrophobia. Have you had a look on the web- I'm sure there are some support groups out there. What about contacting Mind or someone in your area- there must be some help there somewhere.
Is there anything you really love doing? maybe you could join a club for whatever it is - would this be an incentive to go out at all?
What about relaxation? I've found the more into doing events and things the less I feel stressed out and the more I can do. It has taken me years to realise this though and it didn't get better overnight, but with the right help you will get there.
How about setting yourself little challenges. Starting really small and building up. For example - looking out of the window then maybe going and standing at your doorway etc then maybe walking up you garden a short way - then back - just tiny steps each day. Perhaps think if there is anything that you are particularly frightened of - is it fainting/catchin some germs/dying/falling over/ the fact that people will laugh at you ? stare at you? Perhaps try and rationalise it in your head a bit? Practice rehearsing a scenario over and over in your mind- you walking down the street,confident, visualise it in full colour, with sound effects, and coming back home safely. After a while you should be able to reprogramme your mind into thinking this way - it will take practice though.
I hope some of these suggestions help. I hope it doesn't sound patronising because it isn't meant to and I know how hard mental illness can be. Good Luck.

angelflower_2

just coming in to offer support. Have you tried writing things like letters into magazines where you get paid for one thats printed? I used to do that quite a bit and about 5% of what I sent in got printed. You can also send things like tips into mags like love it etc. If you can, head off to your local library and they should have the current Writers and Artists yearbook where you will get more tips and the addresses etc to send things to. (although nothing beats purchasing and reading the magazines)

churchrat

hello Dragon wings and welcome to this great site. Just wondering if you have had a psych referral? I know its not a pleasant thought but it can lead to more help and benefits, just been thro this witha family member. Also,the DLA benefit is not affected by any other benefits etc, but the application form is degree level English!!! If you get the form take ask for help to fill itin, perhaps from CAB as there is definitly an "art" to it.
Dragon wings is a great name, do you read Anne McCaffrey?
churchrat

Emstarlily

dancingfairy wrote: »

I'm sure you can't be the only one with agraphobia/claustrophobia. Have you had a look on the web- I'm sure there are some support groups out there. What about contacting Mind or someone in your area- there must be some help there somewhere.
Is there anything you really love doing? maybe you could join a club for whatever it is - would this be an incentive to go out at all?
What about relaxation? I've found the more into doing events and things the less I feel stressed out and the more I can do. It has taken me years to realise this though and it didn't get better overnight, but with the right help you will get there.
How about setting yourself little challenges. Starting really small and building up. For example - looking out of the window then maybe going and standing at your doorway etc then maybe walking up you garden a short way - then back - just tiny steps each day. Perhaps think if there is anything that you are particularly frightened of - is it fainting/catchin some germs/dying/falling over/ the fact that people will laugh at you ? stare at you? Perhaps try and rationalise it in your head a bit? Practice rehearsing a scenario over and over in your mind- you walking down the street,confident, visualise it in full colour, with sound effects, and coming back home safely. After a while you should be able to reprogramme your mind into thinking this way - it will take practice though.
I hope some of these suggestions help. I hope it doesn't sound patronising because it isn't meant to and I know how hard mental illness can be. Good Luck.

Hi dancingfairy

Thanks for your message

My agoraphobia/claustrophobia isn't so bad that I can't leave the house, just not very often and not for long. Public transport is a no-go, as are big crowds, waiting in long lines, being at specific places for a specific time, so clubs and things are difficult (and work is near impossible) but I am on a writing course at the moment that finishes soon. Keeping to it has been a struggle and my confidence at reading out my stuff still needs a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it. I want to do more but the second I take on too much I revert to cowering-in-a-corner stage so I need to pace myself. Thats basically the core of it. Some days I feel good and others I feel really bad, though apart from the last couple of months of hell, the general curve has been upwards. Still a huge mountain to climb though.
I have had the idea in the back of my mind to start a blog like I did in the past, but being nervous about sharing my work makes this is a huge leap for me. But I think I'm near the point I don't have much to lose, so pretty soon it could be a reality.

Thank you for your suggestions, I will definitely have a look around to see what is going on in my area, and I will let you know what I find..

Emstarlily

dancingfairy wrote: »

What about relaxation? I've found the more into doing events and things the less I feel stressed out and the more I can do.

I am getting a little Reiki and I try to fit Yoga in when I can, these help a little but I think years of stress has had a cumulative effect and its difficult to have the patience to see results. I know what you are saying though, and I know I should be paying more attention to it, so I shall be making more of an effort!

Emstarlily

angelflower wrote: »

just coming in to offer support. Have you tried writing things like letters into magazines where you get paid for one thats printed? I used to do that quite a bit and about 5% of what I sent in got printed. You can also send things like tips into mags like love it etc. If you can, head off to your local library and they should have the current Writers and Artists yearbook where you will get more tips and the addresses etc to send things to. (although nothing beats purchasing and reading the magazines)

Hi angelflower

I think I saved a list somewhere of all the magazines etc that accept articles and stories. I keep meaning to dig it out and actually send something off ~ and this sounds stupid as I say it ~ but the confidence needs work. Saying that, knowing that you have had some success certainly helps, and all the messages of support I have received so far in such a short space of time have given me a little courage, so I may surprise myself yet. Thank you

Emstarlily

churchrat wrote: »

hello Dragon wings and welcome to this great site. Just wondering if you have had a psych referral? I know its not a pleasant thought but it can lead to more help and benefits, just been thro this witha family member. Also,the DLA benefit is not affected by any other benefits etc, but the application form is degree level English!!! If you get the form take ask for help to fill itin, perhaps from CAB as there is definitly an "art" to it.
Dragon wings is a great name, do you read Anne McCaffrey?
churchrat

Hi churchrat, and thank you for the welcome

I'm not sure what you mean by the referral, but I have started seeing a councellor again. He hasn't mentioned anything about being able to help me with the benefit side of things, only to urge me to appeal their decisions. I didn't know about the DLA until today, and as yet haven't managed to talk to anyone about it, and I'm a little confused as to where I can go next but I plan on calling the CAB in the morning to find out. Hopefully they can point me in the right direction. I will post the outcome tomorrow..

I've had the name Dragonwings for years - although I'm not the only one out there.. apparently a few other people have the same name damn them! But thanks And yes I do read Anne McCaffrey, she's one of my favourite authors, I have a lot of her books, maybe too many, but for some reason I never got into the dragon series... maybe I'm scared I will have to buy them all if I like them!