Being alone as a trigger?

[jennamarie1223]

Does anyone ever find that their attacks come more often when they're alone? I'm sitting here at home by myself incredibly lonely and I just had another attack.

I don't really have any friends here to speak of- coworkers and acquaintances, but no real friends. I feel really alone.

Jenna
San Diego

[ocdengineer]

I have a hard time being alone.  For me I think it is because that is when I have the hardest time keeping my mind occupied with something other than anxiety.  I used to absolutely dread being alone, but now I look at it as a challenge.  It is still uncomfortable for me, but I practice battling with the anxiety when I am alone now and it helps me keep it from becoming a problem.

Later,
OE

[lmw80]

Being alone is definitly a trigger for many people.

Have you tried volunteer work?  It's a way to meet people and be surrounded by people - good people.  I volunteer at the spca in philadelphia, and there are always animals and people around.

[lou_]

Yes! I hate being alone, because i think too much when i'm by myself, i like to be occupied by things, no matter how anxious i'm feeling...  I've been alone quite often lately, since i broke up with my boyfriend... and i don't have a job and i havent gone back to college yet!

[Ebbie08]

yes I know exactly what your talking about.   I hate being alone because that's when I start to get weired thought and panicky.  And it's hard for me because I'm a stay at home mom and I don't work, so I have alot of time to myself, but I should also volunteer get my mind off of this crap..... Thanks.

[Nikki_3]

yup thats a biggie for me too, I am also a stay at home mom, and have wayyyyy to much time on my hands, i sit and think or not think and weird thought pop in my head so i analyze and then go through the process of why i thought that!...all that fun stuff, being alone is NOT my strong suit!

[soloholo]

Yup, it's the same with me.Once I'm alone all the thoughts floods my mind.By the time I go and seek somebody for reassurance, the damage is done.I'm all panicky.TV is a big trigger for me, I will watch a show, somehow relate it to my life, over analyze it, then get all anxious.

So in other words, I can relate.

[soloholo]

Hey, Imw80 has a good point with volunteering...a nurse recommended I do that, it raises self-esteem and keeps your mind occupied.

[MissWhat_If]

I dread being alone.  When I'm alone I focus on my symptoms and feel like I have a big pit in my stomach.  In fact, I dread being alone so much that I'm in my early 30's and now live with my parents.  After 11 years of living on my own, it got to be too much.  I think I drove myself crazy. 

My therapist has strongly encouraged me to volunteer, as well.  I'm trying to get up the courage. 

[pete68]

I used to call my mother when I had attacks. Most of mine were when I was alone, and just calling and talking about anything would usually take my mind off the attack and it would seem to go away pretty quickly. I'd just call up and say, "I'm having an attack. Can we talk?" And then we'd just chat. Worked really well for me.