A lot of it was true for me also. Thank you for sharing.

Judy, Thank You for Sharing! I can relate to not wanting to talk on the phone so I leave my answering machine on and sometimes don't even want to hear the message left. While reading the article, my mind keep thinking about my anxiety increasing whenever and whomever is in my apartment. Though I do feel anxious out in public even with the use of medication, which I don't like to increase unless my anxiety is really bad, I just realized I'm much more anxious regarding my safety and security of my environment and don't like have company. I used to visit people, rather than them come over to my place. Huh! I always thought this anxiety was more related to PTSD as I get easily stressed out by people. I'll need to ponder this for awhile.

Great Article! And I wondered why you had entered my mind today.

Wishing You Inner Peace, Hug if you need one : )

Wow, so much was true for me! It is nice to know someone understands...

Thanks, @AloneNaturally. I know what you mean about having company! I feel so anxious when I have people visiting. I worry and fret about whether they are comfortable and entertained. It probably makes me less enjoyable to be around because I'm so stressed out during the visit. I was also able to relate to the point about talking on the phone. I've always hated that! I always let calls go to voice mail and then I dread listening to them! Oh well. :)

Hugs to you, too!

Judy, I had to think back in my past since replying here, and the cause of my Anxiety Disorders, which is a history of abuse through most of my life. I remember being told by a crisis counsellor at a Women's Shelter when I was in my 30's and in my 3rd unhealthy/abusive relationship, when I didn't even know I suffered from symptoms of Anxiety Disorders, that I didn't have to answer my phone or door if I didn't want to, and I remember feeling a sense of relief as if being given the approval I needed from someone, anyone, as my right to do what I needed to in order to feel safe and secure in my own environment. I'm just so glad I've reached an acceptance of needing to move now, knowing the stress of it will be well worth it as was all the other places I moved from. Even finding myself wanting to start packing my things slowly, which will help me also with the transition as I want to be prepared emotionally and physically.

When I'm out and about, I really enjoy talking to strangers, being the outgoing person that I am, however, being the private person that I am, my environment is now considered A Safe Haven for me only.

I've also said, Oh Well, many times this year as means of accepting my stressful circumstances, but most importantly Myself Living with Anxiety rather than suffering as I did. When my anxiety increases suddenly for whatever reason, I find myself saying, I'm Okay, I can get myself through this as I've done many times before. Due to PSTD, it sometimes takes me longer, though being here in the group and learning and practicing new techniques as well as the others I've learned over the years, I'm finding the support I am in need of by people like yourself who care as I do about others living with Anxiety no matter what the cause of it.

Even in our moments of weakness, there is strength we don't realize we have when we are too focused on the symptoms, rather than our skills to alleviate them.

Judy, Thank You for the Hug and for Being You! : )