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does anyone else shut everyone out due to fear

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Posted 7/31/2014 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
I have not left my house or answered my phone today I get these spells often where I feel afraid to talk to people and leaving my house is the scariest thing some days my heart just starts pounding and when my phone rings it gets worse when this happens it lasts all day it seems like I am afraid of anything outside my place confused
Posted 7/31/2014 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Moonlight Star and welcome.

I am sorry that you are currently going through this. I understand how isolating feels safe at times of high stress.

I think that everyone reacts differently. When my oldest daughter is feeling stressed, she responds really well to touch, so cuddling is her comfort....and she hates to be alone. (it is a phobia of hers really)

For me, I am the opposite...I don't want to be touched at all! And yes, I tend to not want to go out or socialize if I am really anxious.

However, I find that pretty much impossible due to my lifestyle, so I have learned to adapt...but I completely understand what you are talking about, because that would be my choice at times...just 'hole up' and shut the world out.

I think everyone has times that they feel this way. However, if it starts to effect the way you live day to day, or keeps you from doing the things that you want and need to do...then it becomes an issue that you want to address.

What have you done, if anything, for looking to treat your anxiety? Maybe if you can tell us a little more about yourself and your story, we can better advise you?

One great thing you have done is to reach out here.:) Support is really healing. We understand and care about each other here...so feel good about finding a group of friends who are here to encourage you anytime!

Hope to talk to you soon and get to know you better.

Scaredy Cat
Posted 7/31/2014 5:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have started seeking treatment through counseling , I was never this bad I was able to control it for years I was severely abused in every way as a child and watched my step father almost kill my mom a few times he always put me down led me to believe I was ugly and a nobody and stupid that stuck with me my whole life

I have had many men assault me and became a **** for yrs but thankfully grew out of that part I married the first guy that asked me at age 18 he gave me 2 wonderful kid but he is now in prison for 25 yrs for raping and trying to kill his wife after me it wasn't a good marriage glad I left in time

over the years I have had many medical problems and 12 surgeries but still managed to live life normal until a yr ago I had hip surgery then I was no longer able to be very active and had to try to find a different job path I only knew labor jobs during my time off work I became more depressed and started having more medical problems my right arm started shrinking and I was loosing strength and mobility then I found a job sitting down after 5 months I had to leave to have a full hysterectomy it was hard on me loosing all my parts I am only 35 during my time out my arm got worse

and now I have been unable to work since Feb my kids are 15 and 16 now so there is a lot of fighting my anxiety started really getting worse when I kept being told I still cant work and they still dont know whats wrong with me it has now spread into my right leg and the right side of my scalp has a dent in it

so its like the right side of my body is shrinking away and they don't know why my apartments just upped my rent from 800 to 975 a month and the church will not be able to help me with that so in a few we have no where to go because my mom is still with my step dad my real dad is traveling and my sister lives on the other side of the country all my friends moved away

so I have shut down into this afraid to leave afraid to speak and afraid of whats going to happen

both my kids suffer from mental illness to due to there father in prison , my son is ADHD , ODD and has anxiety and my daughter has bad depression

on top of all this I also have ADHD , Depression , Fibromialgya , and a herniated disk in my lower spine and I need to return to work somehow so its a lot sorry but that is what has led up to this

I have been prescribed .5 xanex and 25mg Topiramate they tried putting me on Celexa but it causes sharp stabbing pain in my stomach and I still sit here afraid of everyone
Posted 7/31/2014 9:33 AM (GMT 0)
I've been doing this for years,...shutting myself in, not wanting to get out and socialize and face the world.

Been in and out of therapy, but I've got myself a new one and I struck gold, because things are now making sense.

I also take meds.

Like many other things it's a combination of therapies, medication, self-help, support (including HW) that are helping me to work through things.....










M.
Posted 7/31/2014 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
yes , at one point i couldnt even leave my house .... or clean it up .... its horrible trust me i know ...
Posted 7/31/2014 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I also find myself a slave to the house when dealing with extreme anxiety. I hate to be alone though, so I'll have a family member come over to sit with me and help with the kids. Being out in public seems to be a reminder of how miserable I am. I feel like people can just tell I'm depressed. Despite this, when forced to attend a social event or dinner that I've committed to, it usually lifts my spirits since friends remind me of my normal self. I had this for two months straights and just recently pulled through to a decent place. I have bad days, but the cycle has been stopped. Have hope and start with baby steps - brief walk outside or trip to store.
Posted 7/31/2014 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I have noticed leaving helps pull me out of it but not working for 6 months I don't always have gas to leave and all my friends moved far away but I I have to leave today my laptop just crashed and that is my only way to keep my mind busy so it is going back to the guy I bought it from a month ago

Maybe this is my way out today it must have happened for a reason
If I could be released back to work I think this isolation would go away
Posted 7/31/2014 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I get to the point that I'm a slave to the darn couch and can't move. So yes I totally understand. But I also notice that if I make myself get up and get busy, I feel better. Hugs.
Posted 7/31/2014 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not afraid to leave my house, but I get extreme anxiety wanting to come back home as soon as I leave. (Hmmm I guess that IS a kind of fear to leave my house)

Post Edited (My Anxiety Life) : 7/31/2014 3:28:28 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/31/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Leaving today gave me the best day ever my rent problem is better , I called and fixed the issue on my food card and went grocery shopping ran out of gas almost and counting change to get home a nice lady puts $20 in my car she approached me and my laptop is being fixed
My laptop is my devil some days and it crashed today maybe for a reason so I would have to leave and allow me to fix things
I feel good today now and I woke up anxious
Posted 8/1/2014 3:25 PM (GMT 0)
Moon,

I am so happy to hear that getting out yesterday was a positive experience!!

That is a huge victory...and you were able to pro-actively take care of some importand business.  I am really proud of you!

I hope that the anxiety that you mentioned at the end of your post has passed, or at least stayed at a minimum.

Sometimes when we face down the anxiety and have a successful day such as you did...anxious feelings can try to surface and take over again, but you have the ability to keep it managed...use those coping skills!!

Wishing you peace and calm today.:)

Keep posting!

S.C.

Posted 8/1/2014 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Here are some great coping skills to check out...(from our Resources, main page 1st post.:)

Self Help sites with breathing/relaxation exercises instructions

Panic attack relief exercises:

 

http://www.healthcentral.com/anxiety/c/73076/34334/breathing-lessons/

http://www.healthyplace.com/

http://www.stress-relief-exercises.com/

http://www.ehow.com/video_4405003_breathing-exercises-panic-attacks.html

http://www.psybersquare.com/anxiety/panic_relax_I

Posted 8/1/2014 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks I will check them out when I get my laptop back the anxiety is still there but I have much to do today I've already been out but had to come home for a break Walmart did it I have a hard time going there , too many ppl and nobody watches where their going and let's their kids run around like crazy
I can't handle that place I am a very courteous person who always kept my children well mannered until they hit puberty lol
Anyway I have to leave again soon but I have counseling today that always helps
Posted 8/1/2014 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Walmart can push anyone over the edge!!!

Lol!! ;p

Great job on continuing to work through the anxiety, and doing what you need to do.

You are a ROCKSTAR!! :)

S.C.
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