I experiance this on and off. I don't know what it is.. Hope you get some answers... I avoid people and will lock myself in the house and not answer the door or phone...

You'll find most BPs go through this. Welcome to BP land.

I do the same thing and have even been going to walmart at night to avoid the tons of customers

I go through the same thing when i'm depressed. I just thought of it as part of depression. I don't think of it as anxiety.

I go through this also. Sometimes I feel like I've stepped out of my body. Especially at work when I have no choice really but to deal with people if I want to keep my job.

Yes, I experience the intense need to isolate. It's horrible and awful and I hate it! I have ruined all of my friendships because of needing to be alone.

I have social anxiety. I can't leave my house sometimes. my symptoms are heart pounding, can't breathe, and I feel like i'm jumping out of my skin. it could just be the deppression if it only happens when your deppressed. mine happens all the time. good luck.

I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks.

I would have to ask when you feel the need to isolate why do you feel that way? the why is important to help understand if its anxiety or a trigger. Like some have mentioned when we are depressed we self isolate. You maybe self isolating or having anxiety.

I have both. And I have learned the differance between the two... here is my differances...

When I feel the need to self isolate I feel like IM on overload. I can usually target a reason (but not always) as to why I dont want to be around anyone. Depression is often one of my reasons even if I dont have a specific reason everytime I feel that way. It can last for long periods of time.

When I have Anxiety I usually cant find the reason. Sometimes I have triggered anxiety but I dont feel the need to isolate I just need to get away from the situation. My chest aches my heart hurts (or the area any way) my pluse is off the charts, all rational thought is gone, and if I hit panic level I want to run away and I usually will.

When I self isolate I can usually do so and the problems 'disappear' when I have anxiety no matter what I do 'naturally' as coping metods nothing seems to really make it all go away. Some calming stuff helps but ultimately I find that my meds incombination with coping stuff helps.

When I am in public and am overwhelmed and need to isolate because of what ever (depression triggers) and its not anxiety my meds for anxiety dont help...

Sometimes the two go hand in hand but most the time its one or the other.

If your avoiding things and people try to take it slow and see how long you can tolerate it befor you just cant bare it. See how you react. If you end up in a panic state then for sure talk to your pdoc, if you find its uncomfortable but you dont feel like going to say the store will kill you then try talking to your psycologist.

I know thats a lot to take in, but you have to see if you can find the root of the problem so that you can understand it and help your docs help you. Hang in there your not alone... I hope my experiances can help you find your way to the right help ;p I know its hard and we second guess everything we do and feel... follow your mind and feelings and you will get the right help... just know your not alone

Hugs

I think its about the numbers. If you isolate for a year thats unhealthy. if you just need a break and avoid the crap for a week thats normal. I think we need to give ourselves permission to take a break as long as we maintain control of the degree.....

I am struggling with this as we speak. I haven't answered my phone in so long, my messages are full. I reach out here instead of leaving the house. This way, i'm not completely isolated, can log off if I get upset, and I don't have to answer the usual day to day questions..."How are you?" (they really don't wanna know the answer to that) or "How's work?" (not too good since I haven't been to work in over a week and I'm pretty sure I no longer have a job.) or "How is your mom doin?" (again, I wouldn't know because if I answered her calls, she would be asking the same questions as everyone else and I don't know how to answer the questions without sounding like a failure or whatever else anyone might label me.)

I feel your pain. The only advice I can offer is to make sure you explain to family and friends that withdraws are part of your illness and that you just need to close yourself off from the world from time to time...Then just pray that they are understanding enough to be there once you come back up outta the funk.

I appreciate all of your advice. Thank you!