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[screenman]

I stay home alot because of my anxiety... but I do get out at least once
a day... how about you?

[Epictetus]

Hi screenman!

In my case, staying at home triggers my anxiety and is not always a refuge or a comfort. Best to you!!!

[Lucciainthesky]

I try getting out every day I possibly can or at least just get outside for a while to get some fresh air, since it helps with my depression and anxiety. Even if it's just to spend some time at a cafe or visit nearby family. But, it has been horrifically hot and humid most of the summer, so I haven't been able to much lately

[LilyRain]

When my social anxiety triggers all I want to do is stay at home and hide away. But strangely enough, that doesn't help and actually going out and talking to people lessens the anxiety. Though I guess it depends on the people for me, I like nice, low-key people I can relate to somehow.

[screenman]

So like today not feeling so well... Depression & anxiety...
So guess what I'm staying around the house-

[perse]

I tend to leave home very rarely during the week. I have a standing Friday night plan with my BFF. We have steak and a baked potato and watch whatever shows she's recorded on her Tivo that week. I spend Friday night over, then go home Sat afternoon usually. I see my social worker once a week, and my shrink once a month. These are pretty much the only times I leave the house unless I absolutely do not want to cook, and then I'll go to the coffeeshop around the corner (for takeout). I know being home so much is making my depression worse, and my shrink keeps urging me to get out more, but I just don't have the energy and being around people tends to cause panic attacks/really heightened anxiety for me. It seems like so much more effort than its worth. Even taking a walk is a huge effort. I can feel myself just stagnating and am gaining weight - and was already fat. I just can't find the energy/motivation to work on any of this.

p.s. It doesn't help that it's hot as balls during the summer here!

Edited by perse, 20 July 2012 - 02:48 PM.

[Rattler6]

I am often a housecat, but I do enjoy going out. I usually leave town once a week to do field work alone in a remote area that is wonderfully quiet and isolated.

My anxiety has decreased after I got a second job and met a few new people there. As a delivery driver it forces me to get out of my safe zone and go places some of which are not the best parts of town.

[JoannaS]

I used to have a lot of problems with getting out when my depression was "fresh" or it worsened.
Just after my mom died I was still a freshman in college. Sometimes, getting out to go to college was more that I could take. I would dress and go out, feeling the panic and axiety rising in myself and blocking my tears.
I would go out to the elevators, and even ride down, and I would go back crying. I've been usually trying to go out 2-3 times, until I felt so bad that I just couldn't.
Mornings had been always the worst for me - its time to get up and face a new day. I believe it creates a big pressure on many people - to do well, to use the day well, to present yourself well. For person dealing with anxiety it is really hard to bear.
I would usually have smaller problems with getting out later.
Curiously enough it would also greatly depend on where am I going - and actually also what people would be there. Imho, the people play the main role, at least that was in my case. At the college the people were almost a strangers to me, I knew their names, and they knew my situation, but i didn't want to be put into the group of strangers, that would stare at me. They might have wanted to help but i wouldn't trust anyone at that point.
But at the afternoon I would have a ballet school, that I was going to for years. I knew all the students and the teachers, my best friends where there too. But most of all the dance was there. The dance and the passion for it would keep me alive for years. No matter how bad would I feel, I would come to class and dance. It made me forget my worries and it still does. It's not a cure - but it made me survive.
As for staying home, I used to feel very guilty if it turnes out that I simply "can't make it" this day. I was very dissapointed with myself. I learn that accepting the fact that I'm feeling bad and that I'm sick and have this problem was my first step on the "way out". It doesn't mean that I accepted the fact that I can stay home and do nothing for the rest of my life. It ment that I accepted that that particular day I had to stay home. I was sleeping and/or crying and I was imagining that there is someone who cares about me.
Of course if the situation would be so serious that you could't do anything and go out from home at all, you have to see the professional. The doctor will do his best to help you. You have to understand that within you, lies so much possiblities and so much potential. I know it probably sounds hard to believe now, but you really can do so much! I would say, that the way to achieve it lies in small steps. On step at the time, not to much. Try to do a little every day. For me, even sitting in a park with book, makes so much difference. Even walk around the block can put your life in perspecitve. I know how hard it gets sometimes... Even if you will get back home crying, there is always tomorrow and you can try again. :)
Other thing I would recommend is finding something you like to do, or some sort of a hobbie, and doing it.
For some people with anxiety and/or depression is really hard to concentrate on doing things. Even if there is something I really like, I sometimes have troubles on starting to do something. But once I start it gets much easier. Doing something, for instance creative things like knittng, drawing, painting, writing, or cooking ect, keeps you busy, keeps your mind off things, and when you see the result, you can say "I did it". It can greatly contribute on boosting your self - esteem.

[screenman]

I've been strugling with feeling like I should be doing more with my life but at the
moment I'm try to be more patient with my self...