Loneliness

[23tana]

I have social anxiety which keeps me pretty much housebound.I recently had to move 200 miles to an area where I know no-one and I'm feeling unbearably lonely. Can anyone offer advice how to deal with this isolation which brings on terrible anxiety and panic attacks. I seem to be spending most of my days going back to bed as its the only way I can cope.

[Oosh]

I've done that !

Do you have work to go to ? If not, do some volunteering maybe. Anything to get out in an environment around some friendly people.

I don't think I have any miracle answers. I ended up dating and meeting a partner.

Chat rooms, forums if you are stuck indoors alone. There's a chat room here. Plonk yourself in there. People will pop in through the day, especially if someone's in there.

Start some threads on here, stay connected to other people.

I know social anxiety is hard. I suffer from it too. But try and put yourself around other people somehow, a good way is in a learning environment where you are all on the same journey together.

Do you like dogs ? I used to visit the local dog rescue and take the dogs for a walk.

Push yourself out somehow. Hiding away results in more of the same.

Keep talking to us ! There are lots of nice people here.

[23tana]

Thanks for the ideas Oosh

[steph25]

I totally get you! I moved to London two years ago with my partner because he got a new job and two years later, guess how many people I know? Nobody (apart from my boyfriend).

It's a very lonely place and it's a horrible feeling.

[JMA]

To push me out the house I joined a gym. I go to the yoga classes, don't really talk to people, but it gets me out the house.

Also, have a look at the penpals forum on here...well, i think it's on here. Unless I imagined it!

[23tana]

Thanks everyone. I've joined a dating site and have talked to someone who actually lives only 5 minutes from me! We're going to talk more, but hopefully will meet.

[Oosh]

Well done !

It's not easy actually taking concrete steps like that. (Especially dating ! Eek !) It's much easier to think about them day after day but do nothing.

Well done. I hope it goes well.

[JMA]

Thanks everyone. I've joined a dating site and have talked to someone who actually lives only 5 minutes from me! We're going to talk more, but hopefully will meet.

Well done! Hope it all went/goes well.