Fear Of Being Alone

[anonymous]

I've realised that I really hate being alone, I like to have someone (trustworthy) there with me in the house, most of the time. Obviously that's impossible, people gotta go about their business. I don't know how to overcome this.

 

[hodge]

I know how you feel, @anonymous. Before PTSD I lived alone and after getting married I actually enjoyed any times my hubby was out of town, having the house to myself.

These days, my strategy is to lie on the couch and watch TV as that helps keep the auditory hallucinations away.

 

[ninja]

What about being alone has you spooked? We have it engrained in us from the time that we are little to always have a buddy and that there is safety in numbers. Have you got any activities that are soothing for you?

 

[hodge]

What Ninja said. Oh, and, of course, make sure all your doors are locked. That will help you in terms of feeling secure.

 

[anonymous]

Tv doesn't work because I have in the back of my mind it can't save me in an emergency. I worry most about having potentially life threatening accidents whilst alone. It causes me to have such bad panic attacks that I don't manage to get daily routine things done because I'm such a wreck.

 

[ninja]

Are you worrying about being knocked out from a life threatening accident and having no one there to help, or are you worried about being fully conscious while in a life threatening situation and not having the ability to reach out for help?

There are a few apps that you could look for. One will send your location to an emergency contact (which you set) if you open the app and press a particular button.

 

[AnotherUser]

This is probably the biggest challenge I have. The worst part about it is how humiliating it is when a real crisis brings it back to the attention of your support network.

I’m working on it in sensorimotor psychotherapy, but I’m a long way from being ready to look at the underlying event with my T. I’m still learning the most basic alphabet of SP.

At the moment it is all about focusing on and observation of the body. But that focus engages the analytical (rather than emotional) side of the brain so much that it is a pleasant surprise to see yourself starting to explore the world beyond your safety zone. And to appreciate your own experience.