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Agrophobia and hyper vigilance

Gaza69

Hiya folks I haven't been on here for a long time and it's real nice to be back browsing this forum, makes ya feel a little better reading similar issues, I hope that doesn't come across bad?

I really have been struggling going out for a long duration and feel real uneasiness when I'm out, constantly looking behind me, to the side imagining things are there that are not. So it exhausts me so much I refrain going out the majority of the time.

Also hate getting in cars as a passenger feel like the car I'm travelling in is going to crash so I'm always on hyper alert when I'm travelling in a car(even my wife's car) I don't and have never driven. This totally impacts on my whole life as I can't take my young kids out feeling it is to much of a struggle. My kids are 8 and 3 which is another difficulty with my sensory issues.ive only been diagnosed at 50 I'm now 51.

The hypervigilance has gradually got worst over the last 5ish years or so. I feel as though everything is hard work at the moment, one good thing I've got a occupational therapist  appt in a local Costa first thing in the morning this week when it's quiet.

When I'm at home I feel so much more relaxed and always feel so relieved to be home. I don't work atm and couldn't imagine working with all these struggles going on.

Kind regards garethx p.s any views would be most appreciated 

Parents

  • Hey, 

    Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I'm a third year student paramedic and have been working in healthcare for a few years. My boyfriend is on the spectrum but it is something I don't have an in depth knowledge of.

    I would suggest talking to your GP about a mental health referral, in some areas you can self refer without even talking to a GP. The reason I say this is because I have anxiety and OCD (in addition to a couple of other MH disorders). I always look over my shoulder and have a heightened sense of anxiety in environments which aren't my "safe zones", which can be exhausting. I have been in two car accidents this year (one last week whilst traveling on blue lights in an ambulance), and it has massively shaken my confidence and I would be more than happy to give driving up. Part of my OCD (which can display in thousands of ways) is obsessing over how the car journey may go wrong, so I'm very rarely at ease in a car. However, as a student para, half of my job is driving. I am due to take my C1 practical driving test in December and am trying my best to not let it limit me, but can understand this is a challenge in itself. There is lots of research available to suggest CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help with these challenges and finding ways to cope. CBT can be accessed via a MH referral. There are also numerous helplines available to offer more support and guidance, for example the Samaritans. 

    I am not an expert and only wish to offer guidance based on my own knowledge and experience. No offence is intended.

Reply

  • Hey, 

    Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time. I'm a third year student paramedic and have been working in healthcare for a few years. My boyfriend is on the spectrum but it is something I don't have an in depth knowledge of.

    I would suggest talking to your GP about a mental health referral, in some areas you can self refer without even talking to a GP. The reason I say this is because I have anxiety and OCD (in addition to a couple of other MH disorders). I always look over my shoulder and have a heightened sense of anxiety in environments which aren't my "safe zones", which can be exhausting. I have been in two car accidents this year (one last week whilst traveling on blue lights in an ambulance), and it has massively shaken my confidence and I would be more than happy to give driving up. Part of my OCD (which can display in thousands of ways) is obsessing over how the car journey may go wrong, so I'm very rarely at ease in a car. However, as a student para, half of my job is driving. I am due to take my C1 practical driving test in December and am trying my best to not let it limit me, but can understand this is a challenge in itself. There is lots of research available to suggest CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help with these challenges and finding ways to cope. CBT can be accessed via a MH referral. There are also numerous helplines available to offer more support and guidance, for example the Samaritans. 

    I am not an expert and only wish to offer guidance based on my own knowledge and experience. No offence is intended.

Children