I would like to share a personal story, I'm sorry its long. I've posted in this sub &amp; so many kind people have replied, I wanted to now share something good. 

Anxiety attacks started in 2018. In 2020 it became tenfold with quarantining, I developed agoraphobia.

* 1st issue was driving - didn't drive since 2020. Could hardly handle being a passenger without feeling trapped.
* 2nd issue was refusing to take any meds even for headaches because I was hyper-focused on how the pills would affect me and it would create anxiety attacks.
* 3rd issue was leaving my house (i remember going to a park 4 mins away and just freaking out)

All my anxiety stemmed from being afraid of panicking in situations I could not escape from. So I stopped going just about everywhere. But in Jan. 2022 I worked up courage (again) to get my covid booster. I had a high fever for one day and it forced me to take medicine. Seeing that I took the medicine and did not have an anxiety attack, I slowly started taking meds again. It really changed my quality of life. Seeing that I could do that, I decided to sit behind the wheel. First I just sat in the car. Then I started driving up the street, then to a park, etc. all with a supportive passenger. 

Then, one day, I had to get to work and had no one to take me. I found the courage to drive myself, its only 5 minutes away....but I was sweating and scared, but I made it and I didn't have an attack. So I did it again and again and again. Today, I drove further than I have in 2 years and I was so proud of myself.

Just over the weekend, I managed to sit in a car on the highway for 1.5 hours (I was not driving) and did not feel trapped or panicked to any extreme like before!!!

I have been exposing myself very slowly. Going on the highway for 5 mins then 20 then 1.5 hours. My world has been opening up. I don't have to check google maps 30 times for reassurance. I still have anxiety, don't get me wrong, but my confidence to handle it when I am out in public is getting better. 

My next big challenge is flying. That's something I have no idea how to tackle. But for now gradual exposure to my fears has been so helpful. It is really hard, it took a lot of guts and willingness to feel uncomfortable. Somedays I couldn't stay long in the car or stay out at a noisy place but I kept trying. It helps that I have very supportive people. 

It is very odd to tell people who do not suffer from this. They think, you went to the grocery store alone, so what? But thats all I've wanted to do for 2 years. Be able to go the grocery store alone. And I did it!!! Everyones story is unique and I just wanted to share mine. please don't give up. My anxiety was so bad, I literally felt electric shocks in my body, my nervous system was so overly stressed. But I kept going, I wouldn't live in a tiny world anymore.

I just want to tell someone that I am proud of myself. Thank you for reading.

TL;DR: the exposure method is really helping. its difficult to feel uncomfortable but i keep trying to go out everyday so my world can get bigger. conquered some fears lately and im proud.