Alone

[Wyominganxiety]

I'm doing better in some cases but I'm still having a hard time going places alone , I don't like to drive alone or go to the store alone.. so even though I'm doing better with being around people I just can't seem to get this fear of being independent to lessen! It makes me forget the progress I have made because it seems insignificant since I'm relying on friends and family...

[Jeff1943]

Remind yourself of the progress you've made. Remind yourself constantly. Do what you fear and you won't be fearing it much longer. Simply accept the bad feeling of going anywhere alone and go any way. Take the bad feeling along with you, don't try to blank it out or obsess about it, frame your mind to co-exist with it. It's not a nice feeling being uncomfortable about going out alone but it's not the worst feeling in the world and you can live with it when you go out.

Don't expect the bad feeling to go away any time soon - but it will if you accept it for the time being but for the present let it hitch a ride. It's your nervous system which knows you're feeling anxious and is trying to protect you by encouraging you to take some help along with you ie. family or friends. Say Thanks a lot nervous system but I don't need your help, I can cope on my own, promise. And you will, Wyoming, going out alone is your next step.

[Wyominganxiety in reply to Jeff1943]

Thank you i will try my hardest to push towards that, I know it's my next step and I need to remember I have already made some pretty big steps so I do need to stop focussing on what could happen because that just makes me want to hide under a blanket and forget about it!

[Speechpat in reply to Wyominganxiety]

I have trouble going out alone too. Many times I’ve gotten to the store, parked and turned around and went back home. I’m liking the advice Jeff gave. Let’s try it. 😊

[howard327]

I suffered from this problem, agoraphobia, for several years, but with the help from a psychologist, I was completely cured. The process is called CBD cognitive behavioral therapy. The main component is going out where you fear to go, but Little by Little! Pick a target and go a little ways toward it until you are comfortable going that far, then go a little further until you are ok there, Repeat this process until you are comfortable at your target It took me six months to get over this problem. DONT rush it, it won’t work. This takes patience but will work. Best of luck to you!

Howard M