Not Wanting To Leave Home

[Ti Vu]

This has probably been covered countless times, but is it normal to not want to leave my house? I really tried to get out more in the beginning by going to the mall or going skating or taking long walks, but recently, I just feel really anxious/scared of leaving home. Too many people and triggers out there. Too much pain. I want to stay in my bed and sleep forever.

I still get out to exercise a couple of times a week and try to hang out with my family and friends as much as I can, but it's getting harder and harder. I feel so drained after being around people for even two or three hours that I cry when I finally get the chance to be alone. I don't know what to do.

 

[Justmehere]

Normal? It seems to be common for people with a lot of PTSD symptoms. Not wanting to get out of bed makes me wonder if depression is playing a role for you as well. Are you working with a trauma therapist that you like? For me, a mix of EMDR, trauma focused CBT, exposure therapy, and medications has helped me so much with a similar sense of never wanting to leave my home. It's a rough road, but it can get a lot better. Don't give up hope!

 

[Ladyghosthunter]

In my opinion, there is NOTHING WRONG with how you feel. I feel the same way; what I do is that I don't want to go anywhere when it comes to my husband's family but unfortunately I have to go because he seems to be so insecure in regards to not having someone to hold his hand or be with him. He hates being alone and to me I want to isolate myself to get myself straightened out. I bought a book called: Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving. I told him that this book has been a hard thing for me to read but I have to to want to get well or to exist like a "normal person" around life. HIs family, I told him, is a trigger, and boy he didn't like that. At least I was honest in how I feel but he's learning more and more that I need to be by myself and study this book to get better.

 

[purgemeofthepain]

I don't have much to say that is helpful to you, I wish there was something I could say that would change things for you, but in my case, isolation has done me a terrible deal of damage and I notice that the more I stay in and the more I stay away from others, the harder it becomes to do it and social situations end up becoming a total nightmare after years of this.

I've come to the point where I feel alienated from my own family now and I spend most of my time in my room, and I don't know about you, but I'm not rich so I can't have someone else do stuff for me when I need medication, food, etc, so I NEED others to help me with this and if I'm not in the habit of at least FORCING myself to interact with others, it becomes and HAS become already, SO damn difficult to do so.

Right now, you're in a transitional period, where you're starting to hate social contact, but still sort of do it. My advice, having been in your position, is to NOT let these feelings take over. Do not let the fear and discomfort win. Try to stay in touch with as many friends as you can, even online or thorugh phone, or whatever. If you have to go to the mall or the supermarket, DO so. Make your biggest effort to stay in a social situation for as long as you can, and then only when you realize you're emotionally exhausted and drained, get out of there. This will serve as training for your "social muscle". Cause trust me, if you give into the fear, the anxiety, the depression and paranoia (not sure if you have that too or not, but yeah) there will be a time when you will SHIT when you have to get out if you isolate yourself completely.

Don't let things get that bad. I did and now it's pure hell to even eat dinner with my family most days. You still have a chance to avoid that. Best of luck to you.

 

[tired of the fight]

@purgemeofthepain

You are so correct. I to have ended up homebound. To many triggers and memories out there. If i had left this town in the beginning, I dont think it would have gotten this bad. I'm lonely and scared. This is not a good place . I hope others reading this will not allow it take over.

 

[purgemeofthepain]

@tired of the fight I know what you're going through. We're all in the right place to get help and finding people who understand what it's like to be homebound and unable to handle social situations. I haven't found many people like us even online and it's refreshing to know I'm not alone in feeling this way and having this living situation.

Stay strong and keep posting!

 

[tired of the fight]

@purgemeofthepain

:) Yes it is of some comfort knowing we're not alone in this area. You are correct , I haven't found many like us either, but i'm sure they are there. Yep, you have a pal in this one :) As awful as it is.

Be strong as well and keep posting. Maybe someone has some baby step helpful hints!

 

[kagamine]

I have this, I get anxious leaving my apartment, even my room. It's a huge process just working up to get out the door. Half the time it's like the whole excursion is just one long panic attack. I don't feel safe out there with everyone's eyes on me, I either space out or become hypervigilant, it's hard to be out in the real world when you can't be relaxed and present.

I struggle with depression too, so I hear you about not wanting to get up or do stuff, and it just adds one more obstacle to getting out and accomplishing the things we need to get done.

I just try to take it one thing at a time so I don't get too overwhelmed.