Mental Issues With Lymes..Can anybody relate?

Hi all.  I am feeling a lot better physically. I am off all meds. But during my 3 years of feeling crappy, I just wanted to be home in my comfort zone. Right now I am feeling the same way but I think I am taking small steps. I went to a pro football game a few months ago and I was so excited that I got out of my house. Next month I am going to a baseball game and that is making me excited. I still can't go any where where I will be away from home more than a day. Three years ago I would never have gone to any game or outing. I think that maybe I will eventually "come out of my shell." But not sure. Does anybody out there feel the same way and I wonder if I just need time. I have a great job opportunity but I have to fly to FL for the day and I just can't do it. Thanks!

Hi Sassy, I think it's a great sign that you are excited about doing things! Planning ahead! You must be feeling better!

You might have, in the past, been afraid to plan anything. With this disease, you can have a great morning (or hour), then feel terrible in the afternoon (or the next hour). Kind of makes it difficult to really look forward to doing anything! Like Zeusy said, it may take time for you to get past your hesitation and your fear of having negative consequences from trying to do too much, from past experience of doing something that wound up being 'too much'.

It makes sense, really. I bet that as you take your small steps, you'll take more and more of them, then larger and larger steps, without even realizing it at first. I think that your reluctance to take the potential job, fly to FL, may actually be a good thing. You may not be ready for such a big change yet. Remember that even things that you WANT to do can be stressful. And stress isn't good for your body or your mind. You want to apply for a job when you feel confident that you can do it the way that you'd want to be able to do it. Maybe by taking the small steps, you can build your confidence that you're able to handle a wider and wider variety of events and stresses without it just crushing you down as a result. When you feel ready, you'll know it, you won't even be asking these questions.

Congratulations on your recovery so far. Sounds like it's been a long, hard road, but you're coming out of it with excitement for living, and that's something to be really thankful for. Good luck to you! And, I was glad to read what sounds to me like a success story. Thanks!

sounds just like me. i used to be very social and enjoyed traveling and adventuring. my home was wherever i wanted it to be and was comfortable pretty much anywhere. anxiety was probably my worst Lyme symptom from day one. its layers of anxiety too. physical, mental, social... just anxiety around every corner. this made me hide from the world as much as possible. i am getting out and doing more these days but im not quite the free spirit as before. choosing my people and places more carefully and like you said trying not to be away from home for more than a day. need to take that next step. maybe throwing myself out of my comfort zone entirely might actually be a good thing in the near future. need to test the waters and see if i sink or swim.