I made it 113 miles yesterday.

[80zephyr]

For the first time in about 40 years, I traveled a "long" distance by myself. I did need one xanex, but I made it. Frankly, I think if I would have been treated correctly for my agoraphobia at the onset, it still wouldn't be the bugger it has been for 40 years. Living in abject terror for two decades was not fun, but I am recovering.

For me, this is a HUGE step.

Mark

[Hondo]

Congratulations!

It is difficult to imagine living with something that has the potential to be so crippling, so I always like to read or hear about folks overcoming these issues. Victories, small or large, are still victories.

[80zephyr]

Congratulations!

It is difficult to imagine living with something that has the potential to be so crippling, so I always like to read or hear about folks overcoming these issues. Victories, small or large, are still victories.

Thank you. It would have been very easy for me to go into a room and never come out. But I figured I owed it to myself to keep trying.

Mark

[Frostbit]

My Mother was agoraphobic later in life. Nice work.

[Norm dePlume]

Nice.

[80zephyr]

My Mother was agoraphobic later in life. Nice work.

Thank you. I know a few people who are agoraphobic. There are a lot of us.

Mark

[80zephyr]

Nice.

500 miles? Maybe someday.

Mark

[Lady Marva]

For the first time in about 40 years, I traveled a "long" distance by myself. I did need one xanex, but I made it. Frankly, I think if I would have been treated correctly for my agoraphobia at the onset, it still wouldn't be the bugger it has been for 40 years. Living in abject terror for two decades was not fun, but I am recovering.

For me, this is a HUGE step.

Mark

Good for you 80Z. Gets hard to do long-distance driving as we grow older and don't have to do it any more.

[Gingersnap]

Solid Congrats, dude!

I know all too well how that kind of thing can make your world smaller.

How did you feel doing it and after? (I'm very seriously interested.)

[Michele]

For the first time in about 40 years, I traveled a "long" distance by myself. I did need one xanex, but I made it. Frankly, I think if I would have been treated correctly for my agoraphobia at the onset, it still wouldn't be the bugger it has been for 40 years. Living in abject terror for two decades was not fun, but I am recovering.

For me, this is a HUGE step.

Mark

That has to feel really great, Mark.

[80zephyr]

Solid Congrats, dude!

I know all too well how that kind of thing can make your world smaller.

How did you feel doing it and after? (I'm very seriously interested.)

Doing it? Controlled. After? Euphoric.

I am very happy with me. While I won't be flying to Europe, I may be able to travel the US.

Mark

[80zephyr]

That has to feel really great, Mark.

It is very hard for a person who considers himself logical to have an illogical fear. It has changed me greatly.

Mark

[Gingersnap]

Doing it? Controlled. After? Euphoric.

I am very happy with me. While I won't be flying to Europe, I may be able to travel the US.

Mark

Describe the 'controlled' part, if you don't mind. I've done therapy for OCD which is frankly more of a plus than a minus for me at this point. Lots of work, random tune-ups, but doing pretty well. I ditched all the meds so I'm curious if you used any on the trip (no judging),

That seems like a way brave and cool thing to do.

[Michele]

It is very hard for a person who considers himself logical to have an illogical fear. It has changed me greatly.

Mark

I understand that. I remember once when we were boating with three couples across the Strait of Juan de Fuca and got caught in a fog bank. I went to the pilot house and sat back in the corner having what I think must have been close to an anxiety attack. I mean, quiet panic...I don't verbalize, the fear goes in. My husband was at the helm with two more guys out front, one port, one starboard, just looking. Their wives were all down in the galley. The fourth guy was standing by my husband and turned around to see me. He came over and was very sweet...telling me that our boat had all the top marine radar and we would be fine. Then he said to me, if you could just think of it logically, Michele. I just smiled at him and thought, you don't have a clue. I knew it was illogical to think we'd be hit by a ship crossing the strait. It didn't matter. The fear was there.

[80zephyr]

Describe the 'controlled' part, if you don't mind. I've done therapy for OCD which is frankly more of a plus than a minus for me at this point. Lots of work, random tune-ups, but doing pretty well. I ditched all the meds so I'm curious if you used any on the trip (no judging),

That seems like a way brave and cool thing to do.

I mentioned that I took one xanex. By "controlled" I mean that I didn't have any lows. Truthfully, most of the trip was zero stress. Now, before I went, I was under a bit of stress. Once I got on the road, it went away.

Mark