Isolation

How can I make myself leave the house? Basically I only go out when I need food. I have a meeting tonight and I really don't want to go. I don't want to make conversation and pretend I'm ok. I just finished 7 weeks of outpatient therapy at the hospital and had my meds adjusted and I'm "supposed" to be ok now.

Phoenix, congrats on finishing your OP therapy.

I don't like leaving the house either, so I understand where you are coming from. I start by making sure I look presentable, then just get in the car and go for a drive with no particular destination in mind. I also try to keep the windows open for fresh air.Usually while I'm out I'll think of an errand to run, or a place I want to go and stay out longer than expected. If not, I count it a plus that I at least got out.

As far as the meeting: I go, but avoid making conversation. I stand around and let other people do the talking. Often I'll get drawn in by a subject being talked about. Lo and behold, I will have socialized a bit.

I lost my car 3 years ago - repossessed. And since my bankruptcy in 2005 + the repossession I can't buy another car. I walk or take the bus everywhere I go. I wish I had a car - it would be so much easier for me to go somewhere and then if I didn't like it to just jump in the car and go home.

A bus is even better, though, Phoenix. Cheaper, someone else drives, you get to go more places. I have ridden around the whole route without a stop more than once. One time the driver didn't see me and I ended up at the station at the end of his shift.

go to the meeting you'll feel better. sometimes my kids force me to get out. Then I have to go.

I have problems leaving the house too. sometimes i step out on my porch and it seems the whole world sucks in on me. i go to work, home and the grocery store. work home and my car are my safe places, i dont have to be anxious about being there. so when i have to go other places i just extend the safety bubble to include those places as well. so if i had to go to a meeting, the safety bubble that is my car would surround me after i got out of the car and keep me safe while i was at the meeting. thats what keeps me safe at the grocer. Just an idea. it really works for me.

I often make myself leave the house for a coffee just to get out. It must be hard not to have a car....

Phoenix,

I also don't have a car. I don't drive at 32 years old and never have. I am lacking most of my peripheral vision, I'll likely never drive as I'd be a danger. It does suck sometimes tho, towing three kids around by foot.

I try to think of the positive things about walking, like getting exercise, feeling the breeze, getting to look at things more closely, getting to stop and look at a flower or bug if I want too, also the big plus of doing something good for the environment.

I sort of just force myself out of the house, I'm on disability and do not really have any friends here, I will sort of make up things I need to go out and do and just force myself to do them. If I'm really no doing good, I will only go places near my house, if it goes badly I can quickly return home.

Did you make it to your meeting? I don't think your supposed to magically be "ok" now, and quitting a long outpatient therapy can leave you feeling a little insecure or vulnerable at first.

No, I didn't go to the meeting. I would have had to walk there, and I'm afraid to walk alone at night. (that's a long story). Also, it was a meeting called the Professional Women's Group, and I don't feel like I belong. I had a term job for 6 months last year, and that ended badly. Then I worked at 2 different places this year and got fired from both for calling in sick too often. I really don't feel like a professional anything.