Struggling to leave the house

[alexis123]

I’ve had anxiety and depression for awhile now but past couple months i’ve struggled to get out of the house or out of my bed and i am usually a very social person but i just keep pushing my friends away because i don’t want to burden them with all my anxiety, any tips on how to become more social again? I really miss my friends and they still invite me to everything it’s just sometimes i think it’s better if i don’t go and avoid me having anxiety out with them?

[socialmoth]

Hi Alexis,

I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through at the moment. It must be really tough to feel so conflicted in this way.

Have you spoken to a professional about your anxiety and depression? I find that by having certain coping mechanisms while I'm out, I'm able to really enough my time out and sometimes I even forget that I feel anxiety at all! This may be something you can figure out with the help of a professional.

[Petal22]

Hello alexis123,

I once had severe anxiety...... one thing I learned about my anxiety journey was ........ never do what your anxiety is telling you to do........ don’t let it stop you from doing anything you want to do in life...... the more you do what your anxiety is telling you to do the more you reinforce your anxiety........

if your anxiety is telling you not to go out or not get out of bed.....,, defy it..... get up and go out! You are so much stronger than you think!

also if you see a health professional they give you many strategies in how to cope with your anxiety 😊

[Willow Jude]

Hi Alexis,

Thank you for your post. I can imagine it must be tough dealing with what you're going through.

I find it can help to have at least one friend who knows what you're struggling with and is open to working with you to create smaller social activities (even one-on-one catch-ups if that's something you would feel comfortable with) where you can have a bit more control. You might be able to choose a location, activity, time of day, etc. that is more comfortable for you that you can engage in with this friend or friends. If that goes well, then that's an awesome step, and it could help lead to more social involvement with different people/in different scenarios in the future, if that's something you're interested in. Is there a friend or friends you might be able to do this with?

And of course if you want some help having more control over your anxiety and depression, I definitely agree with socialmoth and Petal22 that a professional can be really helpful.

Let us know how you go 🙂

[alexis123]

Hi i do see a therapist and i went out to a club tonight! so i pushed through my problems thank you alll for your kind words ❤️

[Petal22]

Welldone alexis123,

So proud of you, you too should be proud of yourself 😊

keep it up 😊

[Willow Jude]

That's so great to hear alexis123! Pushing through anxiety is a difficult thing to do so you should be very proud.

[Guest_1643]

hi alexis

i don't think ur a burden at all and i think ur friends will appreciate u coming out, if u can

well done for getting out and having fun at the club

i think u'll get through this. once u get there, do u have fun? interested to see how u go and well done so far for being so open and giving things a go even when it feels so hard to go out