b1001
06-08-13, 13:36
I've lived alone for about a year now, since my girlfriend moved out. I work from home a lot and see friends/family members weekly but generally I am on my own a fair bit. I did meet someone new 2 months ago and that helped a lot with the feeling of lonliness, I used to rely on her for company and it helped whilst she was there but we had an argument on holiday and broke up, possibly. My main worry the past 3 months was that I was starting to get anxious in any social situation, ranging from my rare visits to work, popping to meet friends or even going into a shop, I would be on the edge of a panic attack occasionally during these situations. Originally I thought this was my health but once I realised it was anxiety it came on in a big wave and really brought me down. In addition to the anxiety I would panic about being alone, wondering what I would do with my time and feeling like I was in some form of prison. This affected my sleep and appetite. The doctor prescribed Proranolol a week ago to ease my blood pressure and feelings of panic - they worked almost instantly and I have thrown myself into every social situation possible, from dinner with friends, to meetings at work as well as bumping into people and chatting to them - the anxiety has been held at bay and I'm gradually regaining my confidence to the point where I just face these situations without even thinking about it. I am eating again and I feel more positive but these waves of depression/panic about being alone seem to wash over me, I also wake up in the night worried about it.
I now go into work 5 days a week and chat to people most of the day, I see friends two nights a week and family two nights a week - the trouble is I am alone 3 nights a week and during the day at weekends. This occupies my mind, I feel so lonely, I have sleepless nights and I fidget in front of the tv on an evening. I used to love time alone and would always find something to entertain me or do and never gave this a thought. Now I feel like crying at the thought of being alone so much. I feel trapped and isolated. I find it difficult to tell anyone about this, they are already spending time with me each week, more than they used to, how do I ask for more.
I have brought forward my doctors appointment to tomorrow morning, is there anything he could give me to help? I know that these thoughts shouldn't bother me, I may not be out one night but I'll be out the following night - I can't even have a few beers to relax (due to the Propranolol). The main issue seems to be not being able to relax and just enjoy the time on my own. Being on my own is constantly in the back of my mind, when I get home to an empty house I feel it taking over.
Any suggestions on medication or other thoughts to assist please?
I now go into work 5 days a week and chat to people most of the day, I see friends two nights a week and family two nights a week - the trouble is I am alone 3 nights a week and during the day at weekends. This occupies my mind, I feel so lonely, I have sleepless nights and I fidget in front of the tv on an evening. I used to love time alone and would always find something to entertain me or do and never gave this a thought. Now I feel like crying at the thought of being alone so much. I feel trapped and isolated. I find it difficult to tell anyone about this, they are already spending time with me each week, more than they used to, how do I ask for more.
I have brought forward my doctors appointment to tomorrow morning, is there anything he could give me to help? I know that these thoughts shouldn't bother me, I may not be out one night but I'll be out the following night - I can't even have a few beers to relax (due to the Propranolol). The main issue seems to be not being able to relax and just enjoy the time on my own. Being on my own is constantly in the back of my mind, when I get home to an empty house I feel it taking over.
Any suggestions on medication or other thoughts to assist please?