Loneliness

Hey everyone, I have been joined to this forum for quite a while, but never really used it much, but recently I have been feeling really lonely with my agoraphobia/anxiety/depression. I've been put on ativan for my panic attacks and take olanzapine for psychosis. The agoraphobia started when I got assaulted last year by a woman in the streets, she random;y came up to me and punched me in the nose and pushed me over. As she was homeless she used to hang a lot round where I used to live so I found it hard to go out alone I always had to be with friends, I finally moved, but the thought of going out was still to much. I can't even have people over apart from my mum and two friends otherwise I get really anxious, I also ended my relastionship as I felt like I couldn;t even see them. I would just like to talk to people who would understand and make new friends online as I feel pretty lonely.

Sending hugs to all

Taylor

I can relate to the loneliness. I've gotten better about going out in the last couple years but it did take work and meds for me to get to the point I'm at. People just don't understand, which I suppose makes sense if you don't experience it, but some people are kind of nasty about it.

Seriously, who wants to be stuck in their house or room all the time? It's not a choice to stay like when having an introvert moment, it's I wanna go out but can't.

I hope the ativan is helping.

I am glad you have gotten better at going out, and that the work and meds have helped you get to that point, so it's inspiring to see. And exactly, its that I want to go out, but I feel I can't. I try to be positive about the things I can still do like even if its I can go out for a minute to take the bins out, it's still exposure to the outside world and I have to see that as a positive instead of thinking "oh I can only take the bins out". I think everyone will have different views on it, I've lost a lot of people because they say nasty comments, but then I appreciate all the support from my two friends who do see me.

And thank you the ativan does help a lot with the panic attacks.

I kinda started with just standing in front of the door or a window, since that alone was terrifying. My first "thing" was going to the mailbox. Ours is across the street. I would go out and then end up running back. That was embarrassing at first so kind of reinforced it, but I guess that's the monster right there.

I'ts a good way to start, I manage to take the bins out to the end of the driveway, and challenge myself to walk for a few minutes even if its just outside the house, I guess it's about building up the courage to go that little further

Dear Taylor:

I agree: " it's about building up the courage to go that little further"

and also, besides the courage, practicing gentleness with yourself and lots of patience, just as you would behave toward a young child who is afraid. Take his hand and gentle lead him further, just a bit. And stop when he is scared, talk gently to him. Don't push him, don't be unkind to him in any way. Take him back home if he is too scared, try again later, another day. Hug him, comfort him.

atina