Can anyone relate?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post.

I have difficulty leaving my house. I can leave but it's easier if it's at a time of day when it's not very busy outside. I can't leave if I can see anyone in my street though. I can go to places that I've been before or places where there will be someone I know but can't go anywhere outside of that. Sometimes I push myself to go a street or two nearby to where I'm going so that I experience a new place and can then have that as somewhere I've been before that I might be able to go again but I find that hard. Staying at home feels way less anxiety provoking.

I've lost contact with lots of people, just because it's so hard to push myself to go places. And as I am in my 30s, I find it hard to have much in common with people who are always talking about travel and the next places in town to visit when I know that I can't do that.

I just wondered if anyone can relate? I feel pretty alone with this.

Hi, salted lipstick.

I wish I had answers, but I wanted to let you know I totally relate to your post. It was like I could have written it myself.

Maybe we can support each other...and others like us here in this thread.

I have bipolar 1 with occasional psychotic features and I've been diagnosed with several anxiety disorders---the same diagnoses from three independent mental health professionals: my psychiatrist, a neuropsychologist and a clinical psychologist.

In addition to bipolar, I have OCD, PTSD, Panic disorder, GAD, Social anxiety disorder...I am not sure where agoraphobia fits in for me, but it's a daily struggle. I've been disabled since 2009.

Going to the grocery store for a quick trip is like a major success for me.

I sent you a friend request and feel free to PM me anytime.

Hello eterea107

Thanks for your reply! It helps so much to know someone else can relate. We have different diagnosis but some similarities. It's nice to learn a little about you. I have Dissociative Identity Disorder, so trauma history that gives some PTSD symptoms, OCD, bulimia also and lots of anxiety generally.

eterea107 wrote:I am not sure where agoraphobia fits in for me, but it's a daily struggle. I've been disabled since 2009.

Going to the grocery store for a quick trip is like a major success for me.

I know what you mean about the daily struggle. I'm more ok if there is some routine. I managed to go to the grocery store this evening and I only ever go in the evening because I know it will be quiet because everyone is usually having dinner at that time.

Is there anything that makes it easier for you to go out?

Sorry I can't relate. I love getting out at least twice a day, oftentimes more.

HislilPrincess wrote:Sorry I can't relate. I love getting out at least twice a day, oftentimes more.

If you are going to comment, it's conventional and polite to say something helpful, rather than insensitive, on a forum if you can't relate. Perhaps you could give some thought to why you go to lots of the forums simply to tell people you don't have their problem, what you get out of that. Support forums are for support, if you are not giving that in any way (through insight or empathy) then you aren't behaving in a way that others see as appropriate.

Hello, I can relate to your post. However I am at the onset of this MI... or I believe I may be. For the last year I have not been able to hold a job because I am afraid of going to the location. I do well on the interview because I know I’ll be done soon. But when it comes to getting the job I can’t commit. I used to have a lot of friends and now I’m so scared to go out I guess because I’m afraid of what people will think of me? I don’t know. All I know is it’s much safer at home. So I stay home. For days on end. Only leaving to go places I have been several times. I even have a hard time going out with my partner. I can’t tell you how many times we make plans with people and I bail at the last minute... I feel literal fear when I leave my house and if the roads are busy then forget it I will turn around and go home... I just feel so much safer in my house. Is this how you feel? It’s so scary but just know you’re not alone in this <3

I am a male in my 30s, I can go to stores and familiar places, but outside of the city which I live in and the city next to me, I cannot go much further, I have not seen the beach in 13 years I have not seen a doctor and I am not on medication. I am terrified of traffic and being stuck, I always need to be in familiar places so I can escape easy and be free, the freeway is something I do not use anymore due to my condition. I can relate, I feel like I am the only one around me with this issue, I open my instagram and close it in anger because I see everyone else traveling and going to the beach while im stuck here, it really sucks and brings tears to my eyes sometimes, feeling sorry for myself and why this had to happen to me. I dont know if I will ever get better, or out of this situation I am in, I dont see it happening, I dont want to be on medication that numbs me either.

You're not alone on this one. I'm already 51. I leave the house, only to go grocery shopping, or work (work nights). I tend to walk at in the early mornings while it's still dark, and not people around. If I see somebody, my legs stiffen up, and I start walking like a "duck". It goes away when I walk away from people. I hate it!