Bottom Line - Why Do We Isolate?

I've been isolating my entire life. First I was isolated as a baby, placed in a room and forgotten, then it became my conditioning. Fastforward many years and I don't socialize, talk or relate to anyone. I don't even think I can at this point because everything sets me off. I am uber sensitive to everything and people's vibes especially. For me it's self-protection more than anything.

What about you?

I think we do this because we don't want to get triggered , but then we don't learn to deal with the triggering because we don't put ourselves out there. Bit of a catch 22 really , and difficult to work with.

I isolate alot also, I think it is a form of protection, For me it is any way, I cant strand to be around alot of people, I feel for you

I isolate because it provides a sense of safety. I feel safe when I don't have people potentially triggering me.

I do it to feel safe, and because sometimes I can't deal with any more stimulus or input. I only feel comfortable going out or being around people if I am coping in isolation without it taking everything I have. If I am struggling to hang on in private, there is no way I can deal with the minefield that is social or public situations. I have always preferred a great deal of alone time though, even before my anxiety was this bad. I guess that just comes with being an introvert, and being shy.

I think it is about being safe...

about maintaining a safe environment where we know the sounds & smells. The tactile sensations and the visual cues. Everything
is safe here. In that space, It reduces hyper vigilance and input overload. Randomness occurs when interacting with others and new or confusing spaces and loss of control of self sets in.

You also say this too about pushing ppl away from us, those that love us or try to love us in a way we understand. Become targets of this burning desire to maintain safety.

I say we here because I am not the only one.

Yes, safety for me, too.

I isolate periodically and do it because I feel the most comfortable at home in my own bed with my ipad and Kindle. Ideally, my best times were living in a halls of residence many years ago as a student, when there were plenty of people around if I felt sociable, but could always withdraw to my room for some me time.

I used to isolate really bad. Still do but it's bc of a hurt back and no car. Bus is too far away. But I did bc I felt unsafe in the world. ***** Trigger I was raped when I was a virgin and was with a guy from 15-17 that almost killed me several times. I was able to overcome that abuse. But the abuses I experienced in this organization from 19-30 were really difficult to overcome. I was abused on large scale by lots of ppl. Made me not trust the world.**** Trigger

But I've been able to finally overcome it. My PTSD though sometimes comes into play and I still want to isolate. I just feel safe when I do.

I too isolate for safety and self preservation

Life can be exhausting and upsetting

Don't want to have to pretend all is fine. Easier to isolate. If you try to tell someone how you are feeling they generally don't care

I think the desire to isolate comes from developing a fear of experiencing an unexpected trigger. Let's face it, it's very hard to explain to others what it is like to struggle with PTSD. It's hard to understand it personally too.

Let people in, they hurt you. Tell someone, they don't care. Believe it or not, I isolate while still looking like I'm social. I don't talk much unless directly spoken to. I put on this happy face and just talk about what people want to talk about or I just make them laugh. It's something I've done my whole life. Make people laugh and they won't ask you what's wrong.