Isolating

[Bakerssquare]

I have been isolating myself for over 4 weeks due to my Mdd. I know it makes the condition worse, but I can't seem to come out of it. Any tips on getting myself out of the house?

[gajh]

Baby steps. Set really small doable goals.

[Bakerssquare in reply to gajh]

I'm trying, but even going to the mailbox gives me anxiety

[gajh in reply to Bakerssquare]

That is the way to start. Try going to the mailbox every day. Hopefully the anxiety will get a little better as you do it daily.

[EsmeLu in reply to Bakerssquare]

Force yourself. I ended up stuck inside for THREE years with agoraphobia and that is harder to come back from. Trust me. Remember just because we’re anxious doesn’t mean anything is actually wrong or that anything wrong is going to happen. It’s all in our minds. I sometimes tell mine to “Shut up!” 😂 But I have to remember to do it silently if others are around.

[Facar]

I’m in the opposite, I’m trying so hard to reach those that I trust, but they don’t believe in my med, they think that I am trying to get attention. It’s hard and hurt. About isolation, yes it is the worst, so I would say to try reach someone that you love or trust, even if you don’t have desire to do anything force yourself.

[EsmeLu in reply to Facar]

I have the same problem with my family. Especially my sisters. I completely changed when my MDD got severe and took control over my life. They keep insisting this is a choice! Then come the threats and insults. We have to figure out a way to help each other and forget about them for a while.

[Zhangliqun]

Isolation will make it worse and you may end up in a tailspin you can't recover from.

So get up, go, and do. Your life depends on it.

[Marysblue]

Shower, dress. Go outside walk. Set attainable goals like these and praise yourself for reaching them, could you run an errand and chat with workers there.,I find even that helps.I would contact my doctor about this severe anxiety, there are drugs besides dangerous benzos that can help some, it sounds severe..there is help. Don't give up.

[Hidden]

I know what it's like. When I was going thru my darkest days, I didn't have the energy and will to do anything (even daily hygiene and feeding myself were a struggle). When you think you're ready, try opening the front door and step outside, even for just a second. Do this until you feel comfortable enough to close the door behind you and you can stand outside for longer than a minute. If this is not doable at this time, try picturing yourself walking to the front door and opening it, etc. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you follow your treatment plan and keep trying and trying, eventually you'll get to where you want to be.

[Bakerssquare in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for the encouragement. It sounds like you weathered the storm and came out stronger.

[Hidden in reply to Bakerssquare]

I honestly can't say if I'm stronger. Due to the nature of our condition, we are only "strong" until we're not. I know I will be hit with another storm and another after that... I've had multiple episodes over the past few decades. Last yr was one of the toughest and most persistent and I'm still in the process of healing. I'm almost to the state where I'd like to be...next challenge is to sustain this level of baseline "normalcy" for as long as I can.

One of the things I've learned over the yrs is that there is no timeline to all of this. Don't force yourself to do things you're not ready for. Allow the healing process to take it's course, however long it takes.