Isolation..Is it a problem for you ?

Yes... My cause is due to Williams Syndrome, but there are quite a few other issues that can cause this.
Have you ever be out around people for an extended period of time, and found it less dreading, and more able to be a social butterfly? (it took me about some months for my "extended period of time" to kick in, and i found this to be true. With WS, I have learned even though I intially DONT want to go out and do things with people, and would much rather be "content" doing my own thing in my own world whenever i want, I wont fight against it if someone sets up the event or activities, or the "what im supose to do" for the day (as long as it doesn't bump my other activities out of the way. lol!! but instead of playing the ps3 for 14 hours, i'm content with 1-2 hrs if someone else sets up other things for me to do outside of the house). But if i dont get out, then i quickly become a hermit. And dread doing everything from what i'm comfortable with, and dont have any real motivated intrest on doing anything outside of my comfort zone (room). ..... ... and i just lost my train of thought. xD!! okay umm.... anyways, getting out and doing things is a part of living i assume, and the best way i found to be less dreading and "anti social traits" is just to do, go and do. If you can self motivate yourself, I would suggest making a trip outside atleast once a day, and let it settle into your routine, and branch out from there. and in my experience i have found that takes care of the shyness and dreading and not talktive issues I get. When I was on meds for anxiety disorders, those would help me too (but i had more bad than good with those), and then I also find the intial point of the ADHD stimulant med i'm on also causes me to go out and just talk away (Ask some of my friends xD!! they get to a point of closing the door on me and ready to throw a shoe at me or something lol!!), but there are many diffrent things that could cause it (including the enviroment in which you grew up in), and theres many difrent ways to combat it. But since going out and doing things is something very hard to evade, i've never found just staying in the way i naturally do things to help me. I have always needed outside resources, such as meds, or someone there to be like "now you need to show up to this group, it's only twice a week, do you think you can do that? The rest of the day is free for you to go back home and do whatever." <--- exactly what one of my T's told me before lol.

In this, I wasn't trying to tell you what to do or how to do it. But I was hoping to help by giving suggestions and saying what my experience has been in it. even if its just to let you know that i understand.

That sounds kinda nice to me! I don't have anyone who cares enough to even check in.

(((Gashly))) it is nice, i guess, but dont want her to worry. Love my friend. I'm sorry you don't have someone checking on you. I could check on you from pc. is that ok?

I isolate and it is not a problem for me. I find safety in it. I worked to simplify my world as much as possible. If I dont go out, if I dont interact, then I cant be triggered. Its almost agoraphobic. Pdoc put me on a regimine to get out more and interact with others. At first it was really difficult for me. Caused nightmares and panic attacks. Now not so bad. But I dont mind isolation. I rather like it.

Thanks for the comments...

Yep, it's a problem for me. I isolate as not to set myself up for judgement, perceived failure, etc, etc. .

I think now I've isolated so long that I am literally unable to interact with people on a personal level. Too much pressure. I mean, I have to face it! I have too much baggage! Argh!

Yes- I think it's a problem

I feel the same way. Which was why I started this thread. I may think I like isolating and try to convince myself Im fine but in the end...its no way to live. People need people to some extent...Thanks Peter

Hi, I totally know about isolation. I have only been leaving the house 1 time a week. My husband works and my daughter has a new boyfriend. My daughter getting a first major boyfriend has made me so sad. She is either on the phone with him, with him or in school. She is my last child. I wonder how I will get thru it.It makes me cry. My depression has gotten so bad,. I isolate. I blew off my doctors appt today, but am going in on monday.

Yes, I also isolate myself. So much so that sometimes when I see someone I jump, because I think I'm the only person on earth. I think the longest I've been is about 2 weeks without speaking to anyone. That was pretty bad. My lips nearly permanently sealed from not talking hehe. Just wanted you to know you're not alone. It is a big problem for a lot of people around the world. Tragic really. Take care. Keep us posted.

Hello. I live in a city so I am not isolated, but I am alone. Its awful. I have never been this lonely before. Surrounded by people and nobody to talk to...

Extremely. Most people wouldn't expect it from a college freshman. I kind of just stay in my single room a LOT of the time. I mean there are times I hang out with one or two friends, and I (usually) go to class. But if I'm with a group of people I tend to lose touch with reality and I can't really interact.

It is a problem for me. I come from a family of doers, and I get the negative self-talk when I'm by myself. However, crowds make me nervous. Kind of interesting.

I feel the same way. I love being a DJ but if I actually try to DJ for crowds...I get real nervous and panic takes over...Im a pretty good DJ when no one is watching...like in my apartment ALONE...lol...Lets all try not to beat ourselves up though....Where all still human...Thanks again....for all the comments...

I deon' know if you tried talking to a psychiatrist about possibly going on medication for your anxiety or not, but I found it's helped me enourmously. As I said In my latest post, I don't think I would be able to cope without my other vices if I was off my meds. As for isolation, it's been a real problem for me in the past. And I still tend to avoid people if I can, though my job forces me to be in the public eye, so it's helped a bit, but it does get tiresome as i'm not really the outgoing type.

Yeah Im on meds and my Dr took my off Cymbalta....just been weird...Anxiety is a part of life even with meds.Im on klonipin, depokote, and seroquel XR..Thanks...

Just from me joining 3 days ago, I feel better. Today I went with my husband to pick up our daughter from her boyfriends. I go to my shrink tomorrow afternoon. I lied last week about why I wasnt going there. I dont lie to my doctor. I dont know if he will change my meds or not? I dont understand my brain and how it works during isolation, except that I can believe all kinds of things my head comes up with, until it is over with. I do get afraid. My mood is good. What do you do to get yourself out of isolating?

Usually I have to see my therapist or by food...something like that ..but if I could I would never leave...lol

You are not on Neurontin? I assumed...

I don't take any meds regularly now, just a tidbit of Xanax at rare times, but at one time Neurontin was helpful for me.

lol I do this too.

Yeah Correct Echoes...I was for a long time though and eventually they needed changing just like all the meds....

I've felt that alone-ness for my entire life. It's hard for me to maintain relationships, with anybody, really....That and I have some very bad days, my walk has not been an easy one, and I honestly feel that in my search for understanding, I've not only not progressed much, but I have a variety of other issues as well. I don't know if I'll ever be okay, but I'm trying.

The fact that you are trying is progress in the right direction, and I am sure that the people on PC are more than willing to help you with it too

I don't want to be alone but am alone most of the time,so yes, it is a problem for me

Isolation is a way of life for me. I get off of work in an hour. I will not speak to another person besides my parents until Monday at 9am. I don't leave the house unless I am feeling extremely adventurous and even then it just might be me walking down the street with my dog. I have 1 friend but she lives over 200 miles away. My weekends are pretty pathetic. It's a problem because I want to get out and know people and have fun. My fear is that I will find potential friends and they will think I'm a nutjob and won't want to have anything to do with me, therefore, I'm alone.

I prefer isolation to the alternatives and I like the freedom to do what I want, when I want and with whom I want. It is from there that I have control of my life and am not being pushed and pulled by anyone. Every attempt I make to hold my place just seems to cause drama so I endure until I can retreat again.

Relationships demand too much of me. When I relent to spend time with an old friend or a family member they always want more than I am prepared to give. I start to feel sufficated and over-exposed. They expect regular contact and to do things together. I put them off until eventually they give up and I can breath again in my quiet spaces.

I also dispise how dishonest most friendships are. Especially among women. They can be so mean behind your back. Too much gossiping for me. It always makes me wonder what they might be saying behind my back. I accept that dynamic of 'friendships' but I don't play.

Someone said to me once.... your answering machine says you will call back but you never do. I changed my message to say, 'you are welcome to leave a message' with no promise to return the call. Unless it is work related they can assume I will not call back so seldom does anyone leave a message anymore. Emails I reply to because I can pick my own time to do it.

Someone else summerized.... you are very jealous for your time aren't you? I thought about and said yes and for once it seemed okay. She understood my hesitation to socialize with her had nothing to do with her. We remained friends for a long time because I knew I could trust her to respect my wishes and not press me. She was a rare find.