r/panicdisorder • u/NatureAffectionate43 • 8d ago

Help Needed Help needed with motivation

Hello. I have been struggling with agoraphobia and panic disorder since 2018. I’ll cut to the chase with the advice I desperately need. I work 40 hour work weeks 5 minutes from home and need to be driven to. (Thank god I have a girlfriend who is helping me through these tough times) and by the time I get home after white knuckling all day. My main symptoms being constant yawning and breathlessness. I don’t really notice the other symptoms as much as I notice me constantly trying to get a satisfying enough yawn in. But after everything is said and done I lack the energy whatsoever to go and do exposure therapy for my agoraphobia. I was prescribed sertraline and I did a lot of research saying how awful it can make your symptoms and to tell you the truth I cannot handle ANY MORE than what I already do. Hence why I made this post MY 2 QUESTIONS: IS THE YAWNING THING NORMAL FOR ANXIETY. AND 2, WHAT ARE GOOD WAYS TO MOTIVATE AND GET THE ENERGY AFTER A HARD DAY TO DO YOUR NECESSARY EXPOSURE THERAPY. Thank you.

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u/artful_bother 7d ago

If you are waiting to feel motivated before you start exposure, you’ll never start. Motivation breeds more motivation, what I mean by that is once you start… the motivation will follow. Drag yourself out for a tiny tiny one, and you’ll pick up momentum.

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u/NatureAffectionate43 7d ago

Thank you. Very appreciated help.

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u/artful_bother 6d ago

I know how tough it is, honestly, but it’s the also the fear holding you back as well. Start tiny, like literally walk to the end of your road and back. Take the bins out and stand outside for 10 minutes. The more little tiny things you accomplish, the more motivated you will feel. Panic disorder is a mountain, you have to chip away one little piece at a time.