Does forcing yourself to go out help with the anxiety?

[[Pi...]]

I get really anxious when i leave the house and have social interactions.. Does forcing myself to go and meet people help in the long run?

[Guest [ba...]]

Just an opinion...  I'd promote 'forcing' yourself to do a few percent more than you may feel like doing, but I wouldn't try to take on too much.  The idea is to expand your comfort level, not to reinforce anxiety.

[[cu...]]

Yes, I absolutely believe that if you are able and can force yourself out (albeit some people are just too dammed sick) that it encourages us to be independent and social. I actually forced myself to go out even in acute. For me this provided a higher level of functioning despite my own personal symptoms. I had agoraphobia, but physically forced myself. I would feel ill and afraid but it all worked out just fine. This is just my own personal experience and I do not wish to insult anyone on this board who's withdrawal symptoms are too insane.

[[...]]

Ditto what the others have said.  Break the cycle before it becomes a habit!

[[da...]]

I get really anxious when i leave the house and have social interactions.. Does forcing myself to go and meet people help in the long run?

 

It may, especially if you have always a plan B, meaning if it does not go well you do not blame it one yourself and ready to cope with.

Last weekend was the first time in more than a year that my husband went alone camping at 1000miles from home. In fact he was not alone. He was with his brother that is deeply depressed because he lost his job and that never knew what my husband was going through. Parts of the weekend (long one) was spending time with old friends that are craft beer lovers. Imagine a camping full of beer, parties, etc. A friend of my husband bought a whole camping site years ago and is doing an annual party.

When my husband left home he was in a bad wave. First night he wanted to come home. He did not sleep for few nights before. With some help of Valerian ( first time in two months) he slept like 3 hours first night. After that he have done some biking, slept a little more next night and in the end all was OK.

He learned how to fake drinking in a party. He was the one that was drinking the most before. Now is 2 ounces at a time. He was happy to tell me that the last night he had almost 10 ounces of beer without side effects.

My point here is that:

- try not to associate you social interaction with alcohol - you do not need to drink, you can fake it

- get out and get fresh air and exercise, it is good for you

-  do not be afraid of people, especially a big crowd. Nobody will really pay attention or will judge you.

[[no...]]

Exercise, eating lots of nuts and berries and all the right foods, Exercise, tart cherry juice, prayer. That's what worked for me, you have to get out start slow walk a mile, then 2, then jog then run as hard as you can away from anxiety and depression and leave them behind in the dust. 

[[ma...]]

In my experience forcing myself to go out and do things really helped my withdrawal - in the early days the prospect of going to the local shop was terrifying but I forced myself to go and when I got there and although it was very uncomfortable it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be which helped quite a lot

[[Po...]]

I'm also in a situation that after a long break, a couple of months, everyday things seem challenging. I cannot tell myself that these situations that are coming are not scary, because they scare me. I also think, that after I get through some situations it might become easier (this is: teaching, meetings, sitting in a crowded bus etc.). I think it's important that you don't become isolated. It's not easy, though. Plan B is always good to have.

 

[[Fl...]]

Yes and no. I think that everyone should try to "get out there" when they feel able. When the fear center in the brain is compromised you just don't have the ability to desensitize yourself as a normal person would but exposure that doesn't put undue stress on your CNS is probably a good thing.

 

Same goes with the physical stuff as well. We just can't build positive momentum like normal people (at least not in the early stages) but IF you are able to stay active only good things can come from it.

[[Ch...]]

I think it helps as long as it's at least somewhat comfortable and there's some enjoyment in it for you, but I don't believe that flooding as it's called in therapy circles helps one bit, and that's one thing I dislike about cbt. Flooding proves nothing.

 

You had a nice window back in June, remember? It lasted about 10 days I think and you were out clubbing and enjoying life. It'll happen again.

Hold onto that thought, okay?