Does anyone else stay home most of the time?

I'm very housebound, kinda a hermit. My anxiety has done this to me. I do go out once in awhile to run errands, but thats maybe two times a week. I used to work outside the home, but that was 10 years ago and I haven't been able to keep a job since. Ten years ago is when this all started, my anxiety and depression became clinical and I was put on meds. The prozac at first changed me drastically, I became super social. But now I'd rather stay home. I have cancelled a lot of family functions and sent my husband and son without me. This summer I have done NOTHING outside the home. Am I alone on this? I know you will say to use my coping skills, but I really feel more comfortable and safe at home.

Not sure if I "bloomed" from an extrovert into an introvert with age or with anxiety...maybe both. Yes anxiety no doubt holds me back from going out but without it I wouldnt have had so much time to really find out about myself/seek inner peace.

I try not to avoid going out with family since well their company makes me feel safest compared to any other company. So maybe you could try that for starters :)

Oh I'm sorry to hear that.... Sometimes people can do things that make you feel awful.

How bout family outings with just your husband and son then, hope that works for you?

Deb, I am a total homebody as well. Partly due to anxiety and partly because I just love my house and to me, it's a safe sanctuary. However about five or six months ago, I couldn't leave at all. I sent other people to the market for me; to get coffee; to get dog food. I even stopped attending classes just because it was just too much. But after some exposure therapy, and even just taking a walk around the block, I gained confidence in venturing out.

Hey deb
It been a while since I been on here , I don't know if you remember I couldn't leave at all and it was horrific but now that I'm on 75mg Zoloft it helped a ton , I'm ouy doing stuff driving and still got struggles but I try to push my self even went to a hotel with my family 2 hours away for an overnight little getaway ,

If someone told me last year to go to a hotel I wouldn't go for anything it was so hard for me to even drive a min away from my house .
I hope that you find something that can help you overcome anxiety .
I still can't fly and still get anxiety when I go far but I make my self go anyway.
Haven't been here for so long tonight decided to check in and seen your thread and it really hit home because as you know I truly have been there .
God bless and I hope all is well otherwise:)

deborahscinder said...
I'm very housebound, kinda a hermit. My anxiety has done this to me. I do go out once in awhile to run errands, but thats maybe two times a week. I used to work outside the home, but that was 10 years ago and I haven't been able to keep a job since. Ten years ago is when this all started, my anxiety and depression became clinical and I was put on meds. The prozac at first changed me drastically, I became super social. But now I'd rather stay home. I have cancelled a lot of family functions and sent my husband and son without me. This summer I have done NOTHING outside the home. Am I alone on this? I know you will say to use my coping skills, but I really feel more comfortable and safe at home.

Its not easy....I completely understand what you are saying. I struggle to get out of the house mainly because of my depression and anxiety. I think my anxiety is far worse than my depression because it just makes me go crazy. At first the medications seemed to work and I thought life was worth living. For the past 5-6 years I have tried everything and I feel the same way you do. I am able to leave the house (I work part-time in retail) and i take classes at a local state college . It has not been easy. I don't have many friends, I don't have much support. Usually I push myself to get out of the house if its something family related because I don't want to hurt my famiy, they already see me suffering enough so enough is enough...