I haven't been on this site for months, so I thought I'd try again. Having met a stressed colleague after some time, I was overwhelmed. What is strange is that I'd just gone to a church service and felt calm, so maybe I was vulnerable. Sleepless nights and the stress of some challenges I gave myself to go out socially beyond my reserve stressed me more. Today I didn't go out at all, and there are days when I don't speak to anyone. I was afraid of going to a religious gathering where I might meet some people I convinced myself would cause fear. My mind must have dragged me down, or I didn't cook some liver right through today...Does anybody find they can just trick themselves into helplessness? It's as though I couldn't go out the door today if I wanted to.