Looking to start living again.

[brad57]

Hi,

I have suffered from Depression, OCD and severe anxiety since the age of 15. I was put on medication at the age of 19 and am still taking it 35 yrs later.

I am now mostly house-bound and rarely go out. The loneliness is terrible. I have no friends and both my parents have passed away. I have a sister but we don't talk much.

I had a Social Worker but they closed my file last April due to my lack of progress.

I feel hopeless at having any sort of meaningful life. I just want to go out and connect with people again and be able to have some joy in my life.

I'm trying to take small steps like just walking around the block for some exercise but I'd like tips and people to connect to.

[marley_son]

I'm sorry. My advice would be to reach out to a church or other similar organization.

[gajh]

Hello and Welcome. I am glad you have joined us. This is a great place to get support from people who understand. I think it is amazing that you are walking around the block. That is a huge accomplishment. I rarely get out myself. You are not alone.

[brad57 in reply to gajh]

Thank you. I was recently in the Hospital and was told I need more exercise so getting a bit is my small start.

[Rufus07 in reply to brad57]

I was just told by my sig. other the same thing but it’s so hard to get out of the house, even to walk the dog down the street. I guess I’m going to have to try a little harder.

[brad57 in reply to Rufus07]

Good luck!!

[Rufus07 in reply to brad57]

Thank you!

[Amiwrong]

hi. Perhaps each day have a goal, or each week, to say hi to someone on your walk. I think perhaps you would like any kind of human interaction and so this can be a start. I live in a condo building and set a goal to say hi to anyone in the elevator with me. My next goal was to say a sentence like, have a great evening. The hardest one, that I still have yet to do is ask a question like “how are you today?”

Can you recall any aspect of therapy that perhaps didn’t work for you at the time, but may now?

I have anxiety and depression, and my 20yo daughter has anxiety, depression and ocd. When her anxiety is up her ocd is worse. I can often help her get through some of the anxiety and even depressed days, but the ocd I never know how to help. I try to distract her, or reason with her thoughts, but I’m not sure how much this helps her. Her hand washing for instance, I’ve tried everything and it doesn’t help, because she says she can actually feel the dirt (though there’s no dirt left on her hands, ever).

In 2020 I got her a papion chihuahua mix and that dog is the best thing. All he wants to do is give her love. He’s been a god send.

[brad57 in reply to Amiwrong]

That's lovely that you have a pet that gives you some love. I used to have cats throughout my life but I don't trust myself if one gets sick , that I'll be able to get out and treat him or her properly , so I haven't gotten another one.

I live in a Triplex, so I don't see my neighbors. The top floor has been empty for awhile. Also, I usually take my walk at around 3 am which doesn't help with saying hi to anyone, lol.

As for OCD, the anxiety fuels the OCD and the OCD makes you more anxious. It's a vicious cycle.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Amiwrong]

It's fun getting old.

I had quite a laugh reading "Each day, have a goat..."

Yes! That'd fix me right up!

Na-na-na-na!

[Amiwrong]

I am sorry the suggestions won’t work for you. It’s not easy, I know. 🤗