You care about someone with agoraphobia. That matters more than you think.

• Constant reassurance. "You'll be fine, you'll be fine, you'll be fine" just made me need to hear it more. It feeds the cycle.
• Arguing with the fear. "There's nothing to be scared of" is technically true, but panic isn't a logic problem when your body is screaming.
• Rescuing me too fast. Every time someone swooped in and took me home at peak anxiety, I learnt that escaping was the answer. I never got to see the fear drop on its own.
• Surprise outings. "We're going to the cinema, come on!" felt like being thrown in a lake. I needed to know the plan, the duration, the exit route.
• Comparing me to others. "Your cousin has anxiety and she still goes to work." Great. That made me feel broken, not motivated.

I need to say this honestly: supporting someone with agoraphobia can be exhausting. You might feel frustrated, helpless, or resentful - and then guilty for feeling that way. That's normal. You're not a bad person for struggling with it.

But if you're the only person holding things together, that isn't sustainable. Please bring in professional support. A GP can refer to NHS Talking Therapies, and that takes the clinical weight off your shoulders.

You can also look after yourself by setting boundaries - that doesn't mean abandoning them. It means being honest about what you can and can't do, so you don't burn out completely.