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Being home alone, scared to death!

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Being home alone, scared to death!

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 286

Hi aswa,

Welcome! It sounds like you are committed to recovering from this and that is a very major first step. Like Helena said, working through the program session by session and taking time to do the homework is key. When you build up to doing exposure around being home alone that will help you build your confidence at your own pace as you learn to master your anxiety the "right" way - the way that will give you more freedom in your life.

This support group is also invaluable. I hope you will continue to post here and often as you like! You'll always find some encouragement and often some great suggestions.

Teebs

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 221

Hi aswa,

Welcome to the forums. We are glad you've joined!

Congratulations on starting the program. You've taken a big step, so be proud. You know that you were avoiding situations, like being home alone and cooking. Because your first panic attack came while making dinner in the kitchen, you have learned to associate cooking in the kitchen alone with panic attacks. So you've avoided those situations.

The first step you can take is continue to do the honework. It helps you step by step, and eventually you will reach a point where you will feel confident enough to face the situation. It may seem scary right now, but in time you will get there. You will feel safe and secure again.

Know that we are here to listen and support you! Members, can you share your experiences?

What do you need to feel safe and secure?

Helena, Health Educator

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 6252

Hello aswa

Welcome to the site. We are listening and we are here for you.

Here for you

Davit

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1665

Good Morning aswa: Welcome to the site. We are listening and extending our hand in friendship, support and celebration. It will get better.

Sunny

13 years ago 0 +0 / -0 7

Hi everyone!

I'm new here!

I got my first panic attack about 10 years ago, it was probably an effect from being on the pill, it got me very depressed and from nowhere I got my first attack making dinner in the kitchen. I lived alone then. Ever since then I have hade periods with anxiety attacks. They usually come when I have to be home alone or when I need to work with sharp kitchen knives for some reason. It's like I'm a fraid the knife will attack me or something, even though I know I would never do that because I love life! It's not logical at all!! It's just my thoughts playing weird tricks on me!

I have been living with my partner for 7 years now, he's lovely and he knows I have my ups and downs and do everything he can to cheer me up. We move to a new house 1,5 years ago and I have been feeling so good and safe because I love the house. A few weeks back though I had a major setback. My partner was working late every evening and one day while making dinner, chopping onions, I got a horrible panic attack. I had to hide the kitchen knife away in the dishwasher. That event made me feel really sad and worried and scared!! What happened? Why?

After doing session 1 online here yesterday I realized exactly what I do to master the anxiety. There apparently is something called "avoidance" and oh boy, that's exactly what I started mastering...

I have made sure I was never home alone, I stopped cooking while being home alone and all this lead to me being even more sad and worried. I'm a grown up woman and I hate being home alone!? My "safe" person takes some of his work home to work from there in the afternoons instead. If he has a late meeting I make sure to meet up with a friend for dinner in town... It's not making me proud...

I used to not even reflect on being home alone in the evenings in our new house just a feew weeks back. Now it's controlling my life... I don't feel safe. And I hate that feeling!

How can I get over this!? Will I feel safe and secure again!? I'd love to hear some of your thoughts! I sure need support!

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Being home alone, scared to death!