Do You Hide/Stay In Your Home?

I have security issues. I spend most of my time in my home behind many locks because that is the only time I feel safe.

I don't know why I am this way and my doc and therapist can't tell me why I'm this way.

I leave the safety of my home about once a week to get groceries and whenever I have an appointment. Otherwise, I'm in my house with the blinds closed.

I was wondering if anyone else stays in their home for the same reason I do.

Please vote and comment if you are comfortable doing so.

Edited to add that I'm bipolar with psychotic features and I was physically and verbally abused as a child.

Yes, I have been here a time or two in my life.

I've found that attending groups that focus on anxiety and panic issues helps.

I also understand why I do it.

It's my safe space, but I have to be careful to not let my safe space become my prison.

Don't be too hard on yourself about it ... That will only make the anxiety about it worse.

Keep doing therapy and try to find a good group to attend.

Hopefully it will help you get to where you can venture out a little more.

I would like to attend group therapy, but I live in a small town. There are no groups and I'd be afraid of the local gossip.

I've found here at PC to be helpful as well ... So even if you can't get out to a group perhaps this can kinda serve as one for you!

PC is wonderful. I'm glad I found you all.

the winter time I stay in and stay warm as much as I can the winter is the worse for me and my fibro flares and panic attacks

Depending on the situation, I like to hibernate in my apt. It's safer here. I, too, get out and go to the grocery, the pharmacy, and to Dr appts. On occasion I visit my brother, but it's not very often.

Maybe you can get active in some of the forums and it will help you feel part of an active social group. Hopefully this will help you.

Also, do you have a GP? You could go talk to him/her and perhaps be prescribed an anti-anxiety script. No one would know, so there would be no chance of gossiping neighbors.

Hugs,

Jan

I used to be that way when I was a bit younger, but I can honestly say that I'm not anymore. I enjoy getting out, and have just stopped caring what people think of me. I'm not going to let the opinions of others keep me away from all of the things I like.

I stay inside a lot because I have social anxiety, that wasn't one of the options though.

Yes Hun I know this 1 sit in the dark and silence is the best way I like it I have to put my self to do the school run

Hi there. Yes, I hide away as much as possible because I'm depressed, sad and miserable ~ so I do NOT want to bump into anyone I know, so I'm not forced to put on a faulse smile. Also yes, many many nasty gossips here who wallow in other folks misery. I am not ''normal'' and I really don't want that fact rammed down my throat, it is when I see all the happy clappy people out there. HUGS and LOVES. XXXXX

Welcome, friends! We are not alone. We have each other.

Yes I like to hide away keep my curtains closed my friend takes and picks up my children from school for me soon as kids are feed I then go and hide in my bedroom xx

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I stay home 98% of the time. It's due to anxiety though and other stuff.

Yer I get agitated and sweats and anger when I go out

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess I could be classified as a hermit and would completely be one if had the money to stock shelves, get everything I need delivered, and to pay for rent at 1 year in advance, plus I need money to buy a new computer with larger screens.
The only other problem is with my doctor, she insists I check in every 3 months and she withholds prescriptions to be sure I come.

I would never leave the house if I had the choice.

I think I should buy a tanning bed too so I don't look like a vampire.

Sure do. I had terrible agoraphobia in my twenties, but I fought hard to over come it. I stayed social and got out everyday, until after suffering a personal trauma, I quit my job in January 2013. I was just going to take 1 month of leave, but 2 and a half years later......

I do get out once or twice a week for grocery shopping and supplies for my cat. I have also become shockingly pale...I've noticed people do a double take. and I'm guessing that's why.

I didn't leave the house in my twenties due to severe anxiety and panic, now in my 40s it's different. It's just dread, fatigue, depression. I just don't enjoy being out as much as I did between the ages of 29 and 43. I really miss taking pleasure in going out and visiting with friends. My life has become so small.

Thank you for revitalizing this old thread, it was good to share that with people who understand.

Do we have an "I left the house today" thread? I really want to work on this and get out more, and would love the virtual company.

Yep. I rarely venture out. I live in PJs and if I could I'd get everything delivered too. Trying to make small talk and deal with humans is just too much.

Here ya go... I left the house...

I hide except when I have to go out for appointments. I wish I never had to go out. But I have to find someplace else to live.

I used to be agoraphobic when I was really symptomatic, now I have no problem going to the store, appointments, etc. I don't venture out much without a reason but I do once in awhile, I stay home more often though not out of fear anymore

yes i'm a hermit most of the time except for appointments and a bunch of new friendship reunions lately this year.

I don't know how to answer this. I'm a homebody, I like being home.. but if I don't get out to do something about once a day I start getting anxious. This was the case not just where I grew up, but also when I lived out of state. Even when I've missed work to stay home, I'll sometimes leave the house just to get out.. I guess I'm just a anxiously weird homebody. lol

1776, I am the same way. xoxo

I stay in as much as I can too, for a variety of reasons. But I've found this forum a huge help, mostly because I thought it was just me being weak or weird or whatever, but it was SUCH a relief to discover that there are people who feel like that not just in my country (England) but the whole WORLD. Which often blows my mind. Lots of hugs and sympathy. Be good to yourself and don't force yourself to do anything that doesn't feel right to you.