Anxiety stopping me from leaving the house, some days ...

[krystalramone]

Hello all,

I wanted to reach out and discuss this. I find my anxiety so debilitating that I find it hard on particular days to leave the house. I feel a sense that I don't want to be around people and feel safe/secure in my own home.

I know this is not healthy and have been given some tips from my ongoing support worker. However I wanted some advice from those of you who suffer from this situation/feelings and what you do to overcome them/or help you?

krystalramone

[blondguy]

Hi Krystalramone

Thankyou for the important thread topic.

I understand you situation as I had the same degree of anxiety when I was in my 20's and had to get help for it and it does alleviate. I used a community based psychiatric nurse who visited me the first time and agreed to help me at the community center as long as I agreed to weekly appointments for six months.

It did work very well and this great therapist did get me back to work and stay there. They put me on a low dose AD and also saw my GP every four weeks for a 'fine tune'

This is an awful illness to have as I also had the social anxiety that comes with it....and still do sometimes..

I still occasionally have difficulty walking too far from a 'safe place' which can be a pain

I really feel your pain on this subject Krystalramone

you are not alone with this form of anxiety in any way

My Kind thoughts for you

Paul

[fringelily]

Hi Krystalramone

I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to leave the house! I have had days when I avoid going anywhere - I'll even get my husband to do the food shopping or get petrol for my car because the thought of leaving home induces such feelings an intense anxiety.

What helped me was attending group anxiety therapy. Obviously just attending a group situation was really scary, but I'm glad I made the effort. I was so terrified on day one that my husband drove me there. I only missed one session out of 12 though. It was so helpful hearing others describe the exact same feelings and thoughts that I have. I am by no means cured, and I start back to work tomorrow which is causing me a lot of negative and anxious thoughts. But if I hadn't attended the course, I wouldn't have started looking for work.

Oh, and for small things, like going to buy milk or something at the shops, I will say to myself that if I go in and buy milk, then I can treat myself to a chocolate bar or something as a reward. Maybe it's a bit juvenile, but it works for me. Then I tell myself that I managed to go to the shops, nothing bad happened, I said "hi" to the checkout operator, etc. So therefore I can do it again tomorrow. I have built on this in small steps, so that I can now go to a busy shopping centre on a Saturday without freaking out at the crowds and noise.

And someone on here mentioned "smiling mind" app, which I haven't downloaded yet, but will do it today. I have heard it's supposed to be a great help.

I hope some of this helps you x

[krystalramone]

Hi fringelily!

I have actually just recently looked into a support group for anxiety, there was a group last night but my "anxiety" yet again stopped me from going. However hearing that you have had a positive experience with it does give me some hope to get to the next session. I think they meet twice a month!

I do love chocolate! It really is small steps isn't it?

Oh I have been using the Smiling Mind app for a while now. I was using it everyday before I went to work. But have stopped using it as much since I left my job. Maybe I can start using it again before I venture out even if it's the shops.

Thank you for your kind words, I hope you're having a good Wednesday x

krystalramone

[krystalramone]

Hi blondguy!

Thank you for sharing some of your story with me! I have recently gone through quite a traumatic event which has resulted in having a support person from the hospital I went to during the event.

I have found it very helpful and finally feel like I have had support, I felt quite alone and hopeless before. I am 29 now, but for the past 7 or so years I have had therapy with clinical psychologists, seen psychiatrists and been on many different forms/dosages for antidepressants/anxiety medication.

However as soon as I stop seeing a therapist it gets worse again (makes sense?!) I know this but I not good at recognising my warning signs.

Each day I try very hard, whether it be eating healthy, exercising or alternative medicine. I know it could be a lot worse if I didn't do these things. I guess all I can do is take it one day at a time.

I hope you are well x

krystalramone

[Ggrand]

Hello Krystalaromone,

I can so easily relate to what you are going through,

For over 2 years now I haven't gone past my front door except on Tuesday, that's my safe day. All my gp, appointments, physc appt. everything even shopping when able to do it, is done on a Tuesday, except for emergencies I cannot leave my home. The night before, no sleep just anxiety thinking about it.

Next week my physiatrist has decided to make my appointment for a Thursday, with a promise from me that I would try my hardest to attend. I keep my word always so I will try my hardest. The chocolate reward might help as I love chocolate.

Thank you fringelily.

You can pick up so much help from the wonderful people on these forums.

I can't really advise you as I'm struggling as you are, but would like to let you know that you are not alone.

Do you have a friend or someone that can take you or will go with you to the support group, it might help if you have someone that your comfortable with go along for support. just a thought.

wishing you well

GG

[fringelily]

Hi krystalramone,

I hope you make it to the support group. It is worth it 🙂 I have to admit that I chickened out of 2 sessions tho.

Strength to you x

[running_up_that_hill]

Hi krystalramone

I know the feeling only too well. I have been making myself do one outing every so often. Like today I went to the hospital and then bought some milk all by myself. I was incredibly proud of myself. It took alot of courage but that is how I do it. Tomorrow I will stay at home to recover lol.

[blondguy]

Hi Krystalramone

Thanks heaps for posting back (to everyone else as well!)

The community based mental health worker visited me (once) when I was in my 20's but made it clear that any other visits would be 10klms away at the community center...as he didnt do home visits.

He poked me in all my 'uncomfortable' places until he had me crying my heart out about my childhood....I felt so awkward and scared to cry but he kept pressing all the uncomfortable buttons.....so I lowered the 'brick wall I had up around me' I never had a problem leaving the house again 🙂

He did this at no charge....and had me crying big time at the 2nd/3rd visit.....out of 30 weekly visits....

Its just my humble opinion but super frequent visits are a great way to escape the pain of anxiety/agoraphobia or at least reduce the intensity of the awful feelings that come with it.

Great thread topic Krystalramone 🙂

My Kind thoughts

Paul

[krystalramone]

Hi Ggrand,

thank you for sharing your story with me. You have been through and are going through a hard time, so my support and strength is with you. That could be a hurdle that could help you make slow steps to becoming better.

Since I moved interstate it has been hard to find friends I can really rely on or even be honest/close to. I wish I had someone I could take to the support group.

x krystalramone