[eloquentdisaster]

I've left my apartment maybe 14 times since July 1st. This is counting trips to the pdoc/therapist. I know I should get my butt out of the house, and it will probably make me feel less depressed, but I just can't seem to muster the energy.
Later today, I'm supposed to see my friend. He lives only two apartments below me, and I still don't want to go. It's like my apartment has become this strange holding place that is both quelling my anxieties/depression, yet holding me back. When I go to leave, I have this really sick feeling in the pit of my stomach, telling me I should stay home.
I've been trying to coerce a friend to have weekly meetings, but she's working and it's pretty much impossible for her, yet she is the only person I think I would be motivated enough to go an see. I should do something like make dates to go out that I can't get out of, with people I really like hanging out with. I want to, but I can't actually bring myself to contact anyone but the one friend who is unavailable.
I'm becoming a hermit.

At least in my home-bodyness, I am quite productive.

Has anyone else gone through this, and if so, how did you get yourself out of the house?

((((Eloquent)))) i can relate. Do you fear what is outside the safety of your home? Does going out cause you severe distress and anxiety? Do you think you may be depressed? What were the drivers to keep you home in the first place?

I ask not to pry or be nosy but because there are real disorders and valid reasons for keeping us home. I was suffering from a multitude of maladies...the good news is that you can find balance and be able to get out more without it being too stressful, scary and/or an ordeal.

Do you have a T that you can speak with?

Oh sorry, to answer your question, i got a job that forced me out of the house.

Hugs, Rose

..hmmmm, yes I do notice this happeneing in my life ed

I often joke with others saying "my favourite part of going anywhere is coming back home!"....

so I just skip the going anywhere bit it only makes sense and then I carry on about how much rent costs and the money people spend on their houses so why not stay there more it's population peer pressure to leave the house and for many a time it was way much safer for me not to go anywhere anyway.

....it's quite surprising just how many more people are in there homes than not?....

anyway this aint helping much I don't reckon.....especially if you want to get out more I can easily endorse the stay home thing cos it's comfy and safe but it can also squeeeeze the living life out of a person not to get fresh air and see the sky and the landscapes beyond the windows...

....it helped me just to make small adventures for myself like walk to the shops the long way...sit in a park not near my house....

but first even just to hang around outside my place eat lunch or have a cuppa on the doorstep even watch the clouds...

inside is wonderful but can and will suffocate a person it's always good to be able to say ..."yep I'm headin' home now".....seeya next time

[eloquentdisaster]

It isn't necessarily a fear of what is outside my home, per say. I do have an anxiety disorder, and I know that it is that and the depressive cycle I'm in that is causing this.
I have both a T that I speak to on a weekly I have talked to him on the subject, and he is currently attempting to help me. The only problem with that is that I didn't mention it until our last sessions, because before that, I didn't realize it was a problem.

Thank you, Rose. It is good to hear I'm not alone in this experience

[eloquentdisaster]

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

..hmmmm, yes I do notice this happeneing in my life ed

I often joke with others saying "my favourite part of going anywhere is coming back home!"....

so I just skip the going anywhere bit it only makes sense and then I carry on about how much rent costs and the money people spend on their houses so why not stay there more it's population peer pressure to leave the house and for many a time it was way much safer for me not to go anywhere anyway.

Haha, I've never looked at it that way, but your way also makes quite a bit of sense

Actually, that's quite a good suggestion to go to a park or for coffee. Thank you, Monkey

Originally Posted by eloquentdisaster

It isn't necessarily a fear of what is outside my home, per say. I do have an anxiety disorder, and I know that it is that and the depressive cycle I'm in that is causing this.
I have both a T that I speak to on a weekly I have talked to him on the subject, and he is currently attempting to help me. The only problem with that is that I didn't mention it until our last sessions, because before that, I didn't realize it was a problem.

Thank you, Rose. It is good to hear I'm not alone in this experience

((((E)))) hugs to you...i know from my own experience how comforting and wonderful it can be to be at home, as well

I am really glad you brought it up with your T. I found that there ARE some really lovely things about being out of the house...and then coming home is also a little bit of heaven!

[eloquentdisaster]

Yes, I guess it is about finding that balance about liking both being out and in.

[Broken Angel]

I can relate.. and actually you have to try to motivate yourself with something which would force you to go out and then you will get used to it by time..
For example you can try to motivate yourself by searching for a book and you can just go out and buy it and then you can enjoy reading it in some quiet and relaxing place with a hot cup of coffee ...
Answering your question, ya I went through this and I just motivated myself by convincing myself that I need to see people to feel happy and to just get out of the depressing, miserable part of my life and that I need to enjoy my life to be happy and get back to normal..
Hope my suggestion helps

[eloquentdisaster]

Thank you, BA, that does help

[Broken Angel]

Originally Posted by eloquentdisaster

Thank you, BA, that does help

You're welcome

[eloquentdisaster]

How perfectly fitting! Kinda wanna print it and stick it somewhere as an incentive to leave my house

[Trippin2.0]

I refused to/ couldn't bring myself to leave my room/house for 14 months! If I HAD to be somewhere, I'd throw a *****fit when I couldn't go home at the agreed time (I don't drive). I was severely depressed and my room was my safe place. Where I could just be... Baby steps helped. A chair in the garden 1 day, a walk to the shop the next. Now (8 months later) I don't have a problem leaving, but boy do I love returning!

yeah it's cool hey?

be gentle with yourself though eloquent....no pushing is the best ....you know where the door is and after a bit of time we discover it opens just as easily as it shuts yep...

I really like mine closed locked bolted and welded to the darkness fused to my misery to the max!

....it's just the way I am but I gotta have a peek sometimes and I can always go back in and try again later

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

I refused to/ couldn't bring myself to leave my room/house for 14 months! If I HAD to be somewhere, I'd throw a *****fit when I couldn't go home at the agreed time (I don't drive). I was severely depressed and my room was my safe place. Where I could just be... Baby steps helped. A chair in the garden 1 day, a walk to the shop the next. Now (8 months later) I don't have a problem leaving, but boy do I love returning!

...Ophelia ....giggling here your unique words ....

a "*****fit"....hehe,

and what was it the other day? ..."with a sprinkle of b.tch"

[eloquentdisaster]

Trippin, it is very inspiring to know that! Thank you

Monkey, you are right. We all need a peek at the outside now and then, I will make sure not to peek so much right away that I'll never peek again

[plumapplepear]

I spent time trapped in the house it seemed like a force of self-hatred was holding me there. It takes about
Twenty minutes to drive to town and I was too scared to do it for awhile. I also cannot go for long periods alone. So I can understand. I try to just get fresh air on the days I can not cope.

[optimize990h]

for me, to get out of the house was like having to put on a public face. Some days, it seemed to take on too much energy to do. After returning home, I felt the stress of having the public face on. These days, it varies but making it appointments help.

[eloquentdisaster]

Thank you both for sharing although I am sorry you had to go through this, it is comforting to know that I'm not at all alone in this experience.

[optimize990h]

Yes, it's hard to go outside still at this date. My public face takes up a lot of energy to keep on when I'm outside of the house. But being outside helps keeps the low periods from being so bad when I'm back home.

[plumapplepear]

Just knowing there is a whole world out there sometimes is overwhelming but when I push myself and just show up the next day seems to go better.

...yesterday I spent more time outside than inside and it was real easy. went everywhere around the place

today I don't want to go outside at all...even the letterbox will be an expedition. suddenly I'm all insecure and I done nuthin' but go to sleep since yesterday and wake up like a completely different person.

it's way hard to make plans

[eloquentdisaster]

Originally Posted by dubblemonkey

...yesterday I spent more time outside than inside and it was real easy. went everywhere around the place

today I don't want to go outside at all...even the letterbox will be an expedition. suddenly I'm all insecure and I done nuthin' but go to sleep since yesterday and wake up like a completely different person.

it's way hard to make plans

I know how you feel, Monkey. It is weird how we can be two totally different people one day to the next :/


I am FINALLY going out today, as I have to get groceries. Gonna leave in about three hours. Very nervous. Didn't sleep, but I'm going to do it. Girl's gotta eat, right?

...she sure does! ...she gotta eat everyday somethin' ,its good to go on little food shop missions

[BlackPup]

When I'm depressed I like to stay in my room, it was my safe place. Take baby steps but its good to get out...