Isolating yourself

[Guest theobsessiveone]

Anyone isolate themselves as a way to keep their anxiety under control? What do you do when it feels like everything is a trigger?

[Guest heartplace]

I prefer to, but I force myself to stay around others sometimes...thankfully most of my anxiety attacks happen when I'm alone. I have had that feeling of everything being a trigger before, not good! But I have to push myself to deal with it anyway, basically. Life can't stop for me when I have an anxiety attack.

Edited April 19, 2014 by heartplace

[Guest OCDsufferer9]

I do that a lot. When my OCD starts again, I just like being alone which is bad for me, I guess. But being alone is where I feel safest even though I know it's not good for my well-being.

[jballan]

I do this all the time. Totally guilty. I usually have to ask myself, what advice would I give someone else in this situation. Usually the advice is to get out and do something. As much as I don't want to, I try to force myself to do something with someone. When I end up doing something, I don't hate it. I don't regret it. I might not have the best time, but I certainly don't have the worst. Staying isolated only makes things worse. It should be a red flag for you.

[Guest Shannon]

I make myself do things, even when it is the last thing I want to do. If you let OCD win or let it prevent you doing things then it has won, it is in control of your life. I do things for my little one, I would never let OCD impact on them, that would break my heart x

[dksea]

I can absolute relate. The desire to withdraw and avoid is so tempting when you are in the midst of OCD. Of course like other kinds of compulsive responses it only provides short term relief and isn't good in the long run. Like others the best thing I've found is to make myself get moving, but it's definitely not easy.

[Guest heartplace]

I misunderstood this thread at first I enjoy spending time alone, whether I'm having trouble with anxiety or not. I do have a tendency to mentally and emotionally isolate myself, not physically remove myself from others as much. But almost every day, I stick around other people even when my anxiety has got the best of me. It kills me but it's for the best.

[bruces]

I don't enjoy been around people at all

[WhatIsNormal?!]

I have certainly isolated myself from friends (not so much family) and other social situations. In fact just this weekend i avoided going on holiday with a really good group of mates as i had a thought that i was needed at home with my partner. Not a good place to be and definitely a win for OCD this weekend

[bruces]

I will avoid going on my brother in laws stag do

[WhatIsNormal?!]

I will avoid going on my brother in laws stag do

Part of me really wants to say "no you should try and go! And have a bloody good time". But I'm worried that if you do and you don't enjoy it, it will be my fault!!! Doh!!! :/

[bruces]

It's fine I won't be going