Anxiety affecting me socially

[stovall1992]

I have been having a really hard time leaving the house, and spending time with friends ever since my anxiety got worse. I’m scared if I go out, i’ll have a panic attack and I won’t be able to control it. I feel comfortable in my house, but i’m getting tired of staying in all the time. I know it’s not healthy, and I miss being able to get in my car, and drive to hang out with my friends. I’m too afraid to drive, and I just feel like i’m never going to get better. I was invited to go hang out with my friends at their apartment, but I declined because i’m too afraid to leave my house. I feel so bad about it.

Any suggestions on how I can overcome this? it’s been almost three months.

[Ann10]

I'm sorry that you have this struggle. Have you considered talking to a counselor? A therapist can help you learn new bit.ly/coping_skills to use.

[stovall1992 in reply to Ann10]

Yes I have. I looking for the right support, a good counselor that I can talk to. I always feel better when I talk to aomeone

[Ann10 in reply to stovall1992]

I hope you can find someone that you can relate to well.

[stovall1992 in reply to Ann10]

I have, thank you. One of my friends had severe depression, and she had a been helping me. we have been helping each other. so it’s good to have someone to talk to

[djbgatekeeper]

Sorry to hear that... I would strongly recommend you visit your GP and get some support. It is very difficult to solve something like anxiety without the right people helping you along the way.

I suffer from anxiety and I use YouTube, books and NHS to keep things on the straight and narrow.

I hope you can get some help and start enjoying your life, you only get one! 😊 take care and best wishes.

[stovall1992 in reply to djbgatekeeper]

Thank you for the advise. I am looking for the right support to help me through this. I do feel better when I talk to people, so I know support with help me greatly in the long run

[louise188]

I myself suffered like you I wouldn't leave my house due to worrying I was going to have a panic attack. with the right help and support and advice . slowly at first you will get there. Takes a long time but it's the best way to recover believe me I've been there and still battle on most days but it does get better.

[stovall1992 in reply to louise188]

Thank you for your kind words. It’s been a struggle and I keep worrying when is this feeling going to end. I miss my friends, and being able to go out and shop and enjoy myself. I know it will take time, it’s just that I am impatient and i’m tired of feeling like this. But i am looking for support, someone to help me through this because I need it

[coiledrose]

I wish I could give you advise on how to fix this but I’m searching for those answers as well. I’ve been struggling with these issues for years. I had them under control with medications for about 2 years and all of a sudden I’m right back where I started. What I do know is that it can and does get better and you’re not alone 💕

[stovall1992 in reply to coiledrose]

That’s what stresses me out too. I went through this two years ago, and was able to get out of it, and now it’s come back this year. I just feel like it’s not going to end. I’ll get through this, and feels better, but then i’ll probably go through it again in the future.

[happy_kitty]

Have you considered inviting your friends to your house? It could be like a first step toward going out and you can enjoy the company of your friends in a place where you feel comfortable.

Just an idea...

[stovall1992 in reply to happy_kitty]

Yes I have. Most of my friends moved away, and they actually came down for Thanksgiving, but they left now, so the ones that are here are always working. So I just feel so alone

[Hidden]

Hi Stovall,

Points for reaching out! You recognize the difficulty and you have a determination to not let it win!

Develop a plan to help you with overcoming your fears. I know you've heard the speech about accepting facing your fears. But also put some resources into your tool box and use them. The only way to get past anxiety is to go through it. You've got the strength to puch through your fears, so that's what you are going to do.

Work on your fears in small, incremental steps. Little successes will build into larger ones and when you're confidence returns from doing this you won't feel as self conscious and fearful as you do now. If you feel comfortable about talking to one of your friends about your feelings then do so. If they don't understand or are not supportive, find a support network that will help you.

I hear that you feel very alone. It's very painful to be a hostage to these anxious feelings. But they are just feelings and when you can make friends/peace with them, they won't be so scary.

Bat

[stovall1992 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I have accepted it, and I am working to go through it

[laruecharles]

Psych drugs are like playing Russian Roulette. Sooner or later they are going to backfire. You must kick the medicine before you can heal. Try fasting, supplements, anything that will replace the medicine. Did you know that prescription medicine is now the number one killer in the US? That's right. Doctors using drugs have become a national menace. Using medicine is like clipping the wires on the engine warning light so that the light doesn't show. It leaves the underlying engine problem untouched while it gets worse until it can't be corrected or suppressed any longer.

[stovall1992 in reply to laruecharles]

I don’t use medication. I use supplements. They gave me the Ativan when I went to the ER last year, but I don’t take it. But I was considering it if I’m on the plane and I start to panic because I would need something fast