so, what is everyone's saying... everyone's phrase when they just want to be left alone, or just don't care?. (pretty sure we all have these)

when someone wants to talk to you, and you're just dealing with too much at the time

mine is, either " i'm not in", or "bite me"

if not a phrase.. anything you do to show people you're not interested?

[Zabine]

LOL, whilst breathing fire and full of piss and vinegar, I roll my eyes and huff. If they are brave enough to still stick around I will probably snap, "Yes?!" "What?!" or "Can't you see I am F^%*ing busy?!"

They call me the gremlin or angry chihuahua. I am quite small (5"0'/128) to make grown men retreat with their tail between their legs. Then I have to apologize.....FML.

[BlueInanna]

A text saying "kind of busy right now"
They persist "nothing personal, work & kids"
Then I scream where they can't hear me to leave me the F alone.

"I am going to hurt you, if you don't get away from me."

Emphasizing the word GOING.

They either sulk off or snarl back but they ultimately leave me alone. Then I cry.

[cool09]

Great question and inciteful. I can tell family members that I'm not up to doing something which I do for all Holidays, etc. It's difficult to say anything to acquaintances or strangers (and extended family) because they get offended very quickly if you're not up to socialize (due to too much stuff going on in your head). I think they're very narrow-minded people. And most of them call themselves "spiritual" or "religious" people. As soon as they hear that someone is ill they head for the hills. That's very spiritual.

My extended family and friends of the family have already written me off. I get no cards at xmas while my brothers and parents do.

Wow Im surprised at the short fuse some of you seem to have. There is no need to be rude to people who care about you.

When I cannot participate in life, I say I am sick. Everyone in my life knows what that means. They will ask what kind of sick and what they can do to help. If I need to be alone I tell them I am going to drug up and sleep, then Im usually left to my own devices for a few hours to let me rest. If I say I feel unsafe or unstable people will check on me for a little while until I convince them I am ok again.

[naejannej]

My code is "Im tired" and my family seems to know that means I need space and time or that I dont feel well. Usually it results in a visit or a phone call from my mom, checking in on me, though.

[A Red Panda]

I tend to tell people that I'm tired.

If I'm comfortable with them, I might say that "I'm not in a good headspace" and if I'm feeling stress along things I'll let people know that I'm a stress-bucket.

Originally Posted by Supanova

Wow Im surprised at the short fuse some of you seem to have. There is no need to be rude to people who care about you.

When I cannot participate in life, I say I am sick. Everyone in my life knows what that means. They will ask what kind of sick and what they can do to help. If I need to be alone I tell them I am going to drug up and sleep, then Im usually left to my own devices for a few hours to let me rest. If I say I feel unsafe or unstable people will check on me for a little while until I convince them I am ok again.

I, for one, do not intend to be rude. However, when I am pressed to that point after trying to remain calm and still the anxiety and stress I'm trying to control....and it hasn't stopped them...even after I've said something to calmly tell them....then that is what I say.

If I cannot participate in life...I don't. Period. And it can take days or weeks for me to get out of that. They don't need a code word or phrase to figure it out. Mom is down. Out. Lost.

Period.

Threatening violence towards someone is never acceptable, I dont care how you feel.

[~Christina]

I just say I am fine ... Hubby knows when I say Im fine that I am not fine .. So then he knows I am dealing with something.

If I am feeling all snappy and b1tchyish... I always use the 2 deep breaths before I answer ... gives me time to help ground myself before so I don't snap at someone that is just asking out of concern.

[Blue_Bird]

I also tell people I'm just tired, if I know them better though I let them know I'm not having a great day or I'm not in a good mood and I need some time to myself.

[wildflowerchild25]

I'm tired is my go to phrase. Today I had a minor breakdown and I just said I'm having a moment. That will be my new phrase at work.

[Moose72]

I dont have a phrase. I just hole up in my room.

[mzunderstood79]

I'm tired, not now, just give me some room.....I don't have a room to hole up in because my family would find me right now I'm fine

[Victoria'smom]

I tend to shut down. when depressed, stressed, anxious
.......
H: "Not talking?"
ME: *nod*

[BipolaRNurse]

I usually say something like, "I'm sorry, I can't deal with that right now." It's not an apology though.....it's more like a warning that if I don't get some space, I'm gonna lose it.

I tell people I need some "me time" or I'm burned out or have used up my personal resources for the day or just try to be clear that I'm not in a place where it is easy for me to be a patient and rational person, as I am usually able to be.

I make every effort to be clear about this and express it in a calm manner.

My issue comes when others decide that their need to access me should outweigh my need to set boundaries. At that point I often become seriously pissed with most people (there are a select few I give pause because: I am close enough to them that I am one of the few people they turn to when in serious need, so the understanding is that if they are doing so they are in very serious need of my attention). Generally, to blatantly ignore a person's boundaries outside of a very intimate relationship and special circumstances is blatant disrespect and disregard for the other person's needs.

Not. Ok.