[LeoD]

Hi 👋

I know I am not well and think I was trying to ignore it but I can see now I’m withdrawing and isolating.... I do this when my anxiety or depression worse than normal. What I do is retreat to home ... only go and do what I can’t avoid and limit contact with others.... I know I’m doing this because that is how I handle it.... less pressure from others or situations or having to explain anything ... it’s protective!! However on the downside it means I’m internalising and that’s not good but one reason why I’m here. Does any one else relate??? I think I’m going to have to try and push myself to try engaging ...

[FallDuskTrain]

Ha ha.... as if you copied my journal and well, lifestyle when I relapse.
Frankly, it is already beyond exhausting to be around people when my mood is average. It is much more difficult to navigate life with the funeral in my head.
That is how I usually spend my weekends. Books, poetry, podcasts, comedy shows and healthy cooking.
I have to admit. I have been isolating myself for almost a decade now. It has consequences such as lack of social support. Luckily, I enjoy my solitude but as I said, while it is comfortable, it impacted my depression in a negative way. Therefore I have been pushing myself to have dinner with friends once or twice a month and go to the gym every day. It is really hard work to push myself to do these things but at the end, it helps me handle the dark pit that I pushed myself in.

[LeoD]

Thank you for your reply .... Not glad you can relate but also glad someone relates. I’m never that social anyway but just get worse when I’m worse.... anyway I pushed myself to drop in to a friends today I hadn’t seen in awhile and had a cuppa and caught up for an hour.... I managed that ok but then had huge anxiety this evening so glad I was home then. It was only an hour but at least it was something !!!

[FallDuskTrain]

Originally Posted by LeoD

Thank you for your reply .... Not glad you can relate but also glad someone relates. I’m never that social anyway but just get worse when I’m worse.... anyway I pushed myself to drop in to a friends today I hadn’t seen in awhile and had a cuppa and caught up for an hour.... I managed that ok but then had huge anxiety this evening so glad I was home then. It was only an hour but at least it was something !!!

You need to do it.
What is a cuppa? Very curious

[WishIWereAStone]

When I am at my worst I also pull away and isolate, which isn't tough to do, I really only go to work, and have no friends so yes I do this as well.

[LeoD]

Originally Posted by FallDuskTrain

You need to do it.
What is a cuppa? Very curious

Sorry 😐 that is so Australian slang of me.... a cuppa is a cup of tea or cup of coffee.

[Sunflower123]

I do this when my anxiety and depression are really bad. You’re not alone.

[CepheidVariable]

I absolutely relate.

It's common behavior when people feel they can't cope or get discouraged, particularly with the combination of anxiety and depression. It's given the name "avoidance" when it becomes problematic.

Yes, you need to gently encourage yourself to re-engage with people and things. It helps to work your way up from smaller and easier things. I'm glad to hear you were able to spend some time with a friend.