I am seen as an extrovert type of person but in fact I do this as well, I have very much shut myself away since my husband died and know I must start to face the world again, but am just about to cancel a visit with new friends that I am due to go to on Sunday - I am just so anxious about it, which is CRAZY, I want to gradually get better again, I have got low in confidence and if I am at home I am ok but not the thought of going out anywhere now, other than with my mother, who I care for....I WILL get better and tackle it and hopefully you will as well as you are MUCH younger than I am....take baby steps ...I am finding Lexepro BRILLIANT - stops the panic, I just need to get over general lack of confidence now...good luck to you....C X

just a ps....not so long ago I never answered the door and the phone calls piled up as I didnt answer them, I got overwhelmer - again, this has improved so things are getting better, I DO answer the telephone now, take baby steps....:0)

I go through spells. Lately, my depression and anxiety have been higher. I have literally cut myself off from everyone except my immediate family (my husband and kids).

I haven't spoken to my mother or sister for about two months. I feel really bad about it, but until I start feeling better, I can't seem to handle it.

I did go to my doctor recently and reported my problem. My medication was tweated (slightly increased). I am hoping that things will start getting better soon.

Hang in there. You have my prayers.

I have felt the same way - not wanting to engage with anyone or anything. The phone would ring and I'd panic. I spurned all my friends and family. I hid out (except for drs appointments) in my home. I take busbar and klonopin regularly and they seem to be helping. Tell your pdoc that what he's prescribing is not working. Get on the phone and do it as soon as possible. As others have suggested, it's baby steps. I'm here for you if you need to talk.
peace, t

I tend to do this a lot because dealing with anxiety is hard,and private and unpredictable so its a no go for me,unless I feel safe with who I am with.Then I enjoy myself for all I am worth.

im on same drugs -same symptoms..did a 2 yr stretch of hiding/avoiding, just coming out of it..I cant speak to blokes at all-face to face, least I can go out a bit,,my effexor was reduced..interesting..

I have caller ID and almost never answer my phones. a lot of my friends have stopped calling. I never answer my door. The longer I have done this the worse it has gotten. I take Xanax for my anxiety but sometimes I think the more often I take it the worse it is when I don't...if that makes sense. All I can say (and believe me I know this is way easier said than done) if there is anything you think you can do (therapy or if you need to try changing your meds or anything) The sooner you do it the better because honestly for me the longer I go the worse it gets. I don't want to leave my house or talk to anyone at all. Good luck and I really hope it gets better for you soon!!!

I much hope it will get better for you soon as well - reading all the answers make me realise how I have cut myself off as well, not answering calls, phones....and now I am not going to a friend on Saturday because I feel I cant cope. I sort of hadnt noticed this, but having read all this, I really do and must tackle it before it gets worse.....rt73, hang on in there with everyone and lets hope some baby steps can start to build a bridge with the outside world again?

almost need an I've done it thread, which when we have achieved a small thing successfully, we log in and tell everyone about it and we can all cheer...:0) ..hugs to everyone and especially ryt73..*smilling*

MY USER NAME SAYS IT ALL... I ALMOST MISSED MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER'S WEDDING DUE TO THIS ANXIETY AND ISOLATION/DEPRESSION. IT IS WAR THAT I FIGHT DAILY, AND I FEAR I AM LOSING... BUT A LOT OF GREAT ADVICE FROM OTHER PEOPLE HERE CAN BE OF HELP, I JUST FELT I NEEDED TO RESPOND.

I know how you feel. I avoided friends and family for almost a year because I just felt like I needed to be alone. I started going to therapy and I find that I dont avoid people as much as I used to. I hope it gets better for you soon

Yes. I have been that way before. Even though I am very social, I am almost anti-social a lot of the time. I don't know if I would link my problem to anxiety..but just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in that.
I am on lexapro.
It is rare to find the correct drug for you the first time, so giving it another shot is a good idea.

I feel the same. I don't answer the phone, avoid people (even the ones I like), and don't even check my mail (it's at the post office). I feel like all news is bad news and get overwhelmed. I'm a big avoider but it's become much worse since the death of my mom a few months ago. I'm currently in group therapy and find it helpful to know that we're not alone (as you can see here!) I'm currently taking Cymbalta, Valium and was just prescribed Invega. We'll see how that goes. Good luck to you!

I don't think that people should have unlimited access to you. It's ok to insist on your own time. Although it drives my busy body neighbor crazy. I have already planned tommorrow as an at home day. I know you want to have balance. It's very hard to trust people with the very personal information about anxiety. Some withdrawal must be normal. So, it's just my idea, but maybe if you had planned alone time, you could make yourself more available at other times. Best Wishes!

I COMPLETELY understand what you're going through. I totally ignore my cell phone, home phone, and usually take weeks to call friends and family back.

yep, i do exactly that all the time. it's like i've made myself a prisner in my own home. i hide from knocks on the door, i shut the blinds in case someone comes over and sees me, i ignore calls, etc. i don't understand why i'm doing it though. actually why do we do it?