Hey.

In answer to your question, yes, it can get worse. The longer you isolate yourself, the harder it is to come out into the world. I'm 49 now, and spend most of my time in one room. Some of that is because of a pain condition, but not all. I've been living with a good friend and her husband who kindly opened their home to me during a bad point in my life. Its been fifteen years and I still won't go downstairs if there is more than one person in the room. I know their adult kids, both are friendly and outgoing, but I'm still uncomfortable going down when they are here.

Being isolated didn't used to bother me. I prefered it. Now I regret not having spent more time out in the world. You can always close out the world if you want to be alone for a while, but if you do it all the time, its just not as easy to let the world in.

I hope you find a balance between the two. Choices that you make now will have far reaching effects. More than you would think. If you can possibly reintroduce yourself to the world, do it. You don't have to be buddy buddy with everyone. Start with little things. Even if it is just starting an unimportant exchange with a cashier. If nothing else, you can regain some people skills.

Sam2