Yes.... I am this way for sure!!..... I used to be such a social butterfly..... I think to get through this you have to push through the discomfort until it's no longer uncomfortable
I was in a Cognitive therapy group when I was first diagnosed and it made a huge difference in how I felt... It was really great.... Big hug.... I hear you sweetie.....xo

I'm that way too. I'd love to start going to church again but Sunday after Sunday passes and I don't go. I'm embarrassed because I'm overweight and can't find nice clothes. Also, to be frank, when beepers talk about not letting your illness define you, mine does because I live with other mentally ill people and don't work or go to school. I have few friends. I'm planning to re-locate to my own place and re-enter the work-force part-time thru the local vocational rehabilitation program. My life may sound sad, but I do have plans for the future, and frankly I'm a little weary of the mental health professionals in my life always asking if I'm suicidal just because I sometimes cry in their presence, in response to their caring more than anything. But they always clarify it: "Gotta ask."

I can relate to that. Im letting illness run my life except I do work. But I don't go out much and use the anxiety as my justification. I won't say excuse because my anxiety is real. Ugh

On the outside I am an extremely jovial, outgoing person that doesn't hold back:
Put me in a new situation on my own, and I do the exact same thing of counting down the time until I can leave. I love going to church, but get freaked out going alone and people asking questions. I prefer to sit in the back, listen, and sing. And in social situations, I can be more than awkward.
Suncloud has great advice! I'm right there with you!

Prayers for strength and peace!

I don't go out much either.

Hermitism. vs socialism. Kinda hard to be both. :) I started getting better once I decided to only do one thing at a time to test the waters/environment. Church I was ok, cuz I like to talk with new people. But I kept finding myself trying to "Over join". Trying to involve myself more than I know I should. I would feel odd carrying on conversations, and being invited to join an activity and then declining. I know that should be perfectly acceptable but I in my mind it didn't. so I learned I had to stop putting myself in those types of situations. I started to go out with just one friend, several times a month. for awhile. until I felt comfortable with that. then through in a social activity maybe once a month. I added a new friend. and that's where I've left it for now. And if anyone asks why I'm no going to a party or gathering, I just say I have other plans. (they don't need to know it's with my cat and a book) sometimes I have to hermit away for awhile to get over going to just one gathering. Like this past weekend. I'm still in semi hermit mode. (hard to be a hermit when you have doc appts) But tomorrow I get to hermit all day. I'm so excited. Just me. No have to do's of any kind. :) I think starting slow is best. Don't push or pressure yourself. That just brings on more anxiety. and then going to the store could become a major event. (been there done that) :) Just remember, if it doesn't feel right, don't do it. like for me and going to church. I just couldn't go and then leave without being asked to join something. So.. I don't go. I fellowship with folks on my own. Hang in there.

I never leave the house unless i absolutely have to and then have to have days to recover afterwards before i even attempt to leave again. i read about all your busy lives and i just do not know how you guys do it.

Yep, I'm another introvert, and still prefer to be a hermit if given the option. It sounds like it might be even tougher for some of you, but I can understand the struggle to some degree, given I would greatly prefer talking to almost everyone over a computer if given the chance.

There are a few people I really enjoy talking to, but I'm uncomfortable around most people. I constantly worry about what the other person is thinking, berate myself for my many errors in articulating what it is I'm trying to say, and because my anxiety causes my brain to freeze, often struggle to think of even the most basic things to say.

Research indicates exposure is the best way to reduce anxiety, but it's pretty difficult to force ourselves into situations we know are going to be unpleasant. I have found it helpful to set small goals and start with situations that aren't quite as anxiety provoking, and work my way up as I become a bit more comfortable. That said, we certainly don't need to set such goals. Sometimes the best thing we can do is be more accepting of who we are as people rather than constantly trying to better ourselves. It's tough to find the right balance between acceptance and change!

Another hermit here as well...watching life as it goes by...