fear of isolation
Question:
I developed a serious case of social/general anxiety disorder after living a life of intense isolation for several years. I’ve since made progress with my anxiety with the help of cognitive therapy however one area I have not been able to make much progress on is my fear of isolation. The panic is trigged when i’m home alone for an extended period of time or I know that I will be facing time alone. I start becoming afraid of being alone with my thoughts, I begin sink inside my own head, I become riddled with anxiety find it hard to snap out of it sometimes for days. I know that when someone is having problems with anxeity/depression it is best not to spend too much time alone however this has been going on for years and a certain amount of alone time is un-avoidable and even healthy I would imagine. I recently saw a study saying that a man who participated in a health study requiring him to be in a isolation chamber pretty much now has the same symptoms I have. The problem is that I can’t find any information on treatment for this disorder. I appreciate any help. thanks — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm
Response:
<gently snipped ::The panic is trigged when i’m home alone for an extended period of ::time or I know that I will be facing time alone. I start becoming ::afraid of being alone with my thoughts, I begin sink inside my own ::head, I become riddled with anxiety find it hard to snap out of it ::sometimes for days. :: ::I know that when someone is having problems with anxeity/depression it ::is best not to spend too much time alone however this has been going ::on for years and a certain amount of alone time is un-avoidable and ::even healthy I would imagine. Welcome to ASAPM! When you say you are home alone for extended periods of time, exactly how long are you alone? For many years I could not cope with being alone. When my husband left for work in the morning it felt like forever before he walked through the door in the evening. Business and hunting trips were extremely hard on me, I usually was unable to sleep. But you know what? As anxious as I was, I made it through each and every time. I imagine you do Since being on Paxil for nine years I very rarely have issues being alone. I actually enjoy it a lot! Having lots to do and things to look forward to really help. Do you have any pets? My cats and dog help me to not feel alone. They keep me company. Have you ever tried a benzo like xanax or klonopin for these extended "isolated" periods. Are you able to get out of the house during these extended periods? ::I recently saw a study saying that a man who participated in a health ::study requiring him to be in a isolation chamber pretty much now has ::the same symptoms I have. The problem is that I can’t find any ::information on treatment for this disorder. I appreciate any help. I found this…… ~*~R
