What It’s Like Being An Agoraphobic Mom Who Never Leaves The House

How one mom managed to parent and overcome her extreme phobia.

By Liza Walter — Last updated on Aug 13, 2023

Photo: Seongjae Ki via Canva

I used to spend my days at work, my nights in Manhattan, and my weekends filled with adventure and road trips.

Now, if I am able to leave my house for a medical appointment, it’s an accomplishment.

I’ve had “episodes” that lasted months, where I’d be unable to leave my bed — not because I’m lazy, but out of fear.

I suffer from a very misunderstood disease called agoraphobia, which is the fear of open spaces (a very generalized definition).

When I tell people, their first response is, “What? You’re afraid of spiders?”

No, that would be arachnophobia.

To be honest, I’m not even entirely sure of how I came to be this way, so I don’t judge those who don't understand.

It started sometime in 2013. It wasn’t a conscious decision; I just stopped leaving my home.

My husband would ask if I wanted to go out, and my answer was always no.

Neither one of us actually realized how long it had been since I’d left until a month or two in when my husband looked at me and said, “Wait. When was the last time you left?” and I couldn’t answer.

Grocery stores were impossible (and still are), Target, Walmart, and any store with more than one department is completely out of the question.

You may wonder how I survive parenting without actually leaving the house. I’d be lying if I came up with any response other than, “I have no idea!” I take it day by day.

I’m lucky enough to have a very supportive husband, who takes care of all the “outside” stuff I’m unable to. He brings my son to the park, does the food shopping, etc.

When I do go out, my husband HAS to be with me. I can’t go hang out with friends, or run to the store without him; to me, he’s like the security blanket little kids take EVERYWHERE.

Am I thrilled with how my life is? Not exactly, but every day, I work on it. I try and make trips to the store with my husband, though most of the time, I remain a passenger in the car and don’t actually venture into the store.

I have gone to my son’s doctor appointments; basically, anything essential, I find a way to do it. Whether it’s taking an extra dose of anti-anxiety medicine (approved by my psychiatrist), or practicing breathing exercises to calm my nerves, I find a way.

If you invite me to a picnic or BBQ at your house, it’s pretty much a given that I will not attend. All my friends know this and have already stopped inviting me, either to ease the pressure off me or just because why bother?

So, what does it feel like when I’m forced outside of my comfort zone? It feels like I’m trapped in a tunnel, with every terrorist and mass murderer that has ever lived.

Everyone is a suspect, not based on race or gender. I can see Big Bird and be suspicious and scared. My mind automatically goes into defense mode: Does this person have a gun? Does this person intend to carjack the vehicle I’m idling in? Will this be the next location of a mass shooting?

Because you never think it’ll happen to you until it does, so I keep that in mind. I don’t care how safe or friendly your neighborhood is, it can happen anywhere.

When my husband and son go out, I worry it’s the last time I’ll see them. What if there’s an attack? All the “what ifs?” go through my brain at a pace I can hardly keep up with while I try to ignore it.