Fear of Leaving My Home

Yes, I definitely go through this. I haven't been diagnosed, but I also think that I may have social anxiety disorder... or maybe even generalized anxiety, since I get anxious quite frequently even during non-social situations. I do sort of the same thing as you are describing. I make plans or tell someone that we should try to hang out this weekend, or I decide, that I want to go to some kind of event, but then I often make up excuses. I'm too tired, or too busy, or I probably wouldn't enjoy it there anyway. The last one is usually when I would have to go to something alone, which happens to me all the time since I don't really have any friends. I am also worried about this, especially because I get so bored and lonely. What I want to do is take some classes and stuff like that that I have to pay for and that have a scheduled time I got to be there. I get to work just fine and this sort of works on these principles. If I don't go, I'll be losing money and I have to be there at a scheduled time. I want to take an Aikido class. It is a form of non-violent self-defense. I have been interested in this for a long time. The only reason why I haven't yet is because I am working out the schedule thing with my boss. I think that it would help me with my anxiety because I would feel more empowered and safe. Perhaps you could find something like this to help you get out of the house and to help you feel less fearful. Maybe it is something that you could talk over with your therapist and see if you guys can come up with something that is right for you. I know that I do not know your situation, but I think I understand a bit of what you are going through. I wish you luck.

what your explainin to me sounds just like my sister she has social anxiety and cant stand being out of her house everytime she leave her place for more then and hour she starts freakin out really bad but she hasnt gone anywhere lately cuz shes gonna make me a proud uncle here in 2 months :D but my sister has had this since she was 13 and still hasnt found a way to get over it im sorry to say but i guess you will have you live with it til you grow out of it? or go get prescribed valium, but i recomend klonopin first if that dont work then valium its suppose to help calm you down from these anxiety attacks, hopes this helped(:

As a therapist myself, I have been consulted by many who had exhibited these sort of fears and anxieties. I think you are already doing the right thing by seeing a therapist regularly and I hope that you will find a resolution as it is more than likely, providing that you are willing and ready, you will overcome this. Everybody is different and all my clients have varied in the way they have dealt with such anxiety attacks. One thing that I have found to be of value is to take small steps each day to face your fears. Sometimes they can feel almost overwhelming, but the key is to gradually stop letting fear dictate what you do or do not do in life. It can and often does get easier but there is a need to keep moving forward and realize that there is nothing to fear out there.. They are like dreams in waking life. Like ghosts that cannot really do anything except create weird images in the mind. _Derek

There was a book called "Thinking Big". That was many years ago. I am just wondering if you could get the book in its newly revised edition. I wish I still remembered the author.If you could find that book, I suggest you read it. I had anxiety like yours and I got better after reading it.

i also have few symptoms of that SAD or social anxiety disorder when i first enter school as i would not go inside the room with new faces surround me. they look strange and not familiar with them so as much as possible like to have someone know to accompany me. even at home i would hide if their unfamiliar visitor. i do not like them to see me or see them. that maybe extreme shyness or some sort of insecurities or just the work of the brain. but i change such attitude when i get bored and long for more exposure.

I'm sorry you are going through this and hope it will get better! Anyway, I'm in the same boat... I always had social anxiety, sometimes mild, sometimes worse. Right now I'm after an illness, lost my job and am very far away from my love... I live in a village where everyone knows me, and I don't like to leave my home because people will ask questions I don't want to answer. But once I'm out and talking to them I'm fine. I used to live in a city for many years away from my family and I was able to become kind of social, but there is really nowhere to go where I live now. I must be strong and give up feeling sorry for myself, I know! I wish the best for you!

I hope that you can get over your fear. I stay at home a lot, more for the reason of not having money to do anything. I am to the point of not wanting to go many places. Once I do get out, I don't want to go home, but just getting out of the house, is a job in its own.

If you make yourself get out there even tho you don't really want to and you feel afraid, more than likely you will have a good time and be glad you went out. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable while you are out, go home. You need to face this head on. That way you will get over what you are going through much faster. I'm not a doctor. Just a person with allot of life experiences.

So, you're saying you are a social and active person before? Well, also you have sated here that you have returned in your hometown. Where did you came from then? Maybe there's something to do with where you have been or something like there has had incidents which brought you the feeling of not to become too close to others anymore. For me, I find it hard to be close to others nowadays. For some reason also, I find it hard to get out of the house and meet my old friends. I feel like I don't know how to act in front of them anymore or what to share with them. Most of the time if I do socialize, it's more of online chatting or in here just typing to let out what I feel.

I feel sorry for you...it's very difficult situation..i think the problem s you are more isolated so try to talk with others your friends,neighbors it will really helpful. Believe in good things which makes life happier... All the Best....Don't feel alone as we are here for you

I can see that the job you have doesn't help you at all. When you have intense stress for a long period of time it become like what you have now, Anxiety,or panic attack. You have to try to get yourself in shape if you are not exercising because it is a step forward you don't want to let yourself go like that. You had a traumas somewhere and you have to find the complete real source of all that outcome. My son has some of the symptom you have , the reason of what he has is intense stress for long period of time, we made a big move 2 years ago, on a property without a house on it because we were going to build on it, so it turned out completely different of what we had planned it we had even a couple in the church that send after us the social services and threatened us to take our 2 younger children away if we wouldn't comply to there orders, they condemn our project if were not going to finish what they wanted us to finish before a certain time limit which pushed us to overspend and we ended up in government housing,bankrupt. So my children hates where we are as well as my husband, we are hoping to fix it all sooner than later, to have a normal life again.Hope it helps what I told you.

Maybe you are thinking in advanced of what is going to happened to you. This is not good at all. Try to be confident in going out, do not over think of what will happened. It will affect your day, your mood, and your life everyday. Try to control your fear. Good luck! :)

At least you have a dog. I don't even have a dog to take to the park. I mostly get out of my house to go to college or buy food, so you do not have anything to be embarassed of. My situation is 3 times worse than yours. I am lucky that I have erased my Facebook account, and I stopped 9gag-ing, or I would have spent even more time on the Internet. I guess the reason I don't get out is because I don't have money. If you don't have money you can not really have a nice time in the city, at least that is what I think. Also, I would like to be proven wrong by somebody, please!

I also have experienced the same thing, but my response is reasonable, because many things have changed from what we leave behind. we just need to get closer to the social situation around, much to communicate and tell a friend about our anxiety to soothe our feelings, and can add to our confidence. just try it.

I'm so sorry to hear that. If you have a reason for not going to the psychologist there are professionals that work as a volunteer work, they would give you their time for free, but I think you must consult one dear. Even if it's online or in person cause it's not completely normal. Maybe could be a sign of the begining of depression, but maybe worst like ansxiety or panic attack. An advice? Talk, seek for help in a way that you talk, but don't take medicines, only if they are herbs like a tea for this or that end. I know not that close, but enough of 2 people that had depression, anxieties and both got addicted and in years actually got worse taking heavy medication so it's cleasrly not good.