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Staying Home Alone...help

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Staying Home Alone...help

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1

Hi Effy, I know how you feel. Recently my husband and I have taken up part-time residence in Virginia. This is not my permanant home and I feel so isolated. When my husband leaves in the morning I get anxious thoughts about what I am going to do with my day. We are in such a small beach town that there is not much to do here in the winter. There are no malls, Wal-Marts or any other stores like that around here, you have to drive 30 miles to get to a city that has any of those kind of stores. I used to love my solitude and I don't know why I am experiencing anxiety now? It could be because I have had some neck pain that is taking a while to go away and sitting alone here in an unfamiliar place brings on anxious thoughts.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 420

Good morning Effy,

Welcome to the support group. You have been able to make it for 10 minutes now which is progress. I know that getting well can seem like a slow process but in time it will get better. I find that coming on line to the support group and reading posts, answering posts and posting helps me deal with the anxiety and helps me understand my feelings better. The 10 question list under toolbox has helped me a great deal in being able to challenge my anxious and negative thoughts. I am also a spiritual person and believing that I am never really alone has helped me a lot when I felt panicky, scared and alone in my life. I have some favorite affirmations that I posted on line that have helped me also. What sunny said about deep breathing and letting yourself calm down is very helpful also. I want to encourage you to work on the program every day come here and read posts and post if you want. You are not alone in this. There is usually one of us hear reading posts, and their always seems to be a Educator on duty. We are hear we care and we are listening. Keep posting.

Red

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 8

I have a problem being home alone as well, I discovered this site and am working the program, it is very hard but I am slowly learning to box breathe and it really helps. I stayed away from home for 2 weeks and have been back for 2 days, so far so good, the box breathing will work, all I must do is remember to DO IT!

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 11226

Hi Effy,

First of all, begin by working through the program. It has helped many members. Stick with it and it will help. Also read and post often. This forum can offer you great advice and support. Be sure to read the section on exposure work and be sure to reward yourself for your successes! Let us know how you are doing.

Ashley, Health Educator

Here to help :)

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 192

Good morning Effy: I hear your frustration and pain. I don't know if I can help as I have never had that feeling - quite the opposite for me - I want to be alone, peace and quiet. However, I want you to know that I check the site every now and then and will see your posts, so post as much as you want, with as many questions etc. as you wish. I know there are others who have your problem, so hoping they will answer and be able to give some suggestions.

Do you have a hobby/interest? Might that help if you concentrate on it when alone? Do you have a good support friend who you could telephone just to talk it out? When I had a panic attack I was lucky that I could phone a friend and she would just talk to me about anything and I would start to calm down. The phone call might last 10 minutes. It was the idea that I wasn't alone when I felt "sick" - she would be there if I needed her.

Have you started the relaxation techniques yet? Deep breathing/mindfulness helps me. I'm glad you are seeing a doctor about it, good start. Good luck Effy. Keep posting. We are listening.

14 years ago 0 +0 / -0 4

Good morning!

As I said in my introduction, it is nearly impossible for me to stay home at the moment. However, I am working with a doctor who is helping me to overcome this, as well as this programme. My homework is to stay home alone for a short period of time and then gradually increase that time. I have only been able to do it for 10 minutes! It is so frustrating, because whenever I know my parents are leaving, my heart just begins to race and all of my positive thoughts that I've been working on disappear. I also feel trapped, because I'm not able to drive and my driveway is 1/2 mile long (.805 km), with neighbours pretty far away. I'm basically alone in the woods and that thought is terrifying. I know I need to master this, but I'm feeling stuck...can anyone give me advice? Thank you so much,

-Effy

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Staying Home Alone...help