Anxiety from being home alone

I'm 19 years old and just recently started to experience anxiety. I didn't know nor did I understand what was going on but from research and talking to people, I'm almost positive it's anxiety. I struggle breathing, cry, feel completely helpless, nauseous and my heart beat accelerates dramatically. I don't know what to do. I live at home and my parents leave on vacations a lot and I can't take it. They tell me they're going to leave and I can feel my heart begin to race. I can't sleep, take sleeping pills, drink tea but my mind fights it. Sometimes I can get my mind off everything momentarily but still cannot find any relief. My tv is on, I have two dogs sleeping in my bed with me and almost every light in my house is on. I have irrational fears of people kidnapping me, raping me, taunting me outside my house. I cannot stop the thoughts no matter how hard I try. My sister has struggled with the same problem but her doctor just told her to see a behavioral therapist. I don't know if this would help me.. I just need to figure something out because I cannot live in fear like this every time I'm alone. I'm a very strong willed and dependent girl and have never needed anyone in my life beside my family but these fears make me feel so dependent and helpless and it scares me to no end. I need advice, help, anything.

Hi !! mc&m 24 .. I had to go and sign up so i could let you know NOT to drink tea ..it has lots of caffeine and it will keep u feeling too high/agitated.. i try to stay away from teas, coffee, etc late in afternoon.. i have been where you are and getting better little by little..it does take time and if you have to take some meds ..DO IT !! talk to someone about being alone..i wish i lived near you and could help u ..i am 68 and have been on prozac for 13 yrs..had to take liquid ..could not handle the PROZAC pill and o.5mg Klonopin.. I am off the Prozac ..did it myself..but everyone is different ..I think i had this problem when i was young like you ..but ignored it ..have been taking some kind of anti-depressant pill since i was 29... just somehow it is in our genes ..but there is help out there..just ask others ..and go with your gut feeling to find someone to help you..i know YOU will get better I have... I could not drive the car alone because i had my attacks in the car late at night ..night bothered me ..not now.. I am taking a little bit of Klonopin now ..trying to get off .so i take it every other day ..I halve the klonopin and take that and halve it again..so i have 0.5mg ..in 8 days instead of 4 days .. Just do what the doctor says and eat healthy.. God bless You

eblaugh- I drink tea. However I drink caffeine FREE tea. Celestial harvest has a great selection of flavors like blueberry and wildberry, etc. The main ingredient is hibiscus which has been proven to give a calming effect.

m&m: The fear of being home alone can be frustrating and I dealt with it for myself for a while. I couldn't be alone for longer than a couple minutes for about two months. Someone always had to be in the room with me.

I also couldn't drive a car and rarely left my house. I was a prisoner of my home and fears. I'm doing better now. I can drive to 5 cities, go to work, be alone, and take care of my daughter. Things do get better. It takes time and therapy and exposure therapy.

I'm 25 years old and honestly had some anxiety about being home alone for the weekend. I talk to my therapist about it but you could try learning EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique which is "tapping" on accupressure points in order to relieve phobias and fears. You could google it. There are lots of free sites on it.

If you don't have a therapist I would suggest getting one. They can be extremely helpful.

HUGS

TG~

Unfortunately anxiety and phobias (along with other mental health concerns) can indeed get worse over time without treatment. I am not saying that this will for sure happen to you, but statistically speaking, the odds are not in your favor.

While it is not a devasting situation to be fearful at night, like the last post said, your quality of life could be so much better without these problems. And while it's not unusual to feel uneasy sometimes when home alone, to have panic attacks and lose sleep, is over what is considered expected anxiety. (most young people your age living at home pray for their parents to get out of the house for a few days!)

So yes, I think that you could benefit from some help. This will also ensure an easier transistion when you do get your own place, and are on your own for the first time:)

In the meantime, if you are struggling with fear/panic from any situation, you can learn and use some breathing/relaxation exercises. We have some of the best ones in our Anxiety Resource Guide. You can find it on the main page, third post down. The links are right there!

Practicing these everyday, not just when you are anxious, but consistently will help bring down your overall stress levels. It will also help you to be successful with them in the midst of higher levels of fear/panic should it arise.

I hope that this is helpful to you. Let us know how it is going soon:)
S.C.

I am having the same issue with home alone too. My heart would start pounding when I was left alone in the house. Currently on medication for anxiety disorder, but I still don't feel I am good to be home alone. I never had this issue until recently I had my first major panic attack at home, and I lost control running to get help from new neighbor, so embarrassing.

I wondered if you were recovered from this anxiety by now. Please share.