I feel like I can't leave the house unless I know someone is home. Isn't that weird? If I do, I become so anxious and overwhelmed, I feel like I can't form a sentence!I just PANIC!!!I wish I knew why. Anybody else relate?

Skyeyes,

Are you afraid of a fire or something, and if somebody is there to call the fire dept. the house will be safe?? Or is it more within "YOU"? Do you want someone home to return to? or perhaps you just feel better when you know someone is home...for whatever reasons just let it be and work on your skills, we all have our own little quirks that make our anxiety "OURS", so take it in stride and take care!!

Chantal

It might also be a "safe" thing for you. I know that, if I know my husband is home, I feel much better going out alone, because if anything happened that I couldn't handle (always my big fear), I could call him and he'd be right there. It's like I'm more comfortable when I have an "anchor" at home that I know could pull me back if things got out of hand. But, I'm trying to get over it.

And, I agree with Andrew that separation anxiety has a lot to do with it. I have a terrible fear of abandonment, by everyone and anyone. I swear, some days I'll go in the shower and be afraid my husband will be gone when I get out and I'll freak, or my husband will wait in the car while I run in to pick up a pizza and I'll be scared he'll drive away. Also, when my husband goes out with friends, I can't fall asleep until he comes home, because I'm scared I'll fall asleep and wake up and he won't be next to me. And, I always wake up with him at 5 am to say "bye" even if I went to bed really late (I go back to sleep right after ) because, like Andrew, I'm scared of waking up in an empty house. I really have this fear of being all alone in the world, and it's intensified when I go out when no one's home. Because, then it's like, no one knows where I am. No one knows what I'm doing. It makes me feel very alone and invisible, and that scares me. But I'm trying...

[This message has been edited by Lori (edited 03-09-2001).]

Hello.....

Yes I have the same trouble. I think Andrew is right though about Abandonment. I don't know why all of the sudden we become like this. It just started with me in the last 2 months.

I have to make sure I know someone will be home just incase I need them....Its crazy.
I wish I wasn't like this........Please know you're not alone. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.............

Hi you guys!
Thanx for all your responses!
No, I'm not afraid of a fire or anything like that happening if I'm not here. I think it's exactly what Lori said.It's like an "anchor" . If something happens, I know someone is there that I can run to. It's strange, I know.It's like a reassurance for me, a comfort.If no one is home when I leave, I have a severe panic attack.
Another example would be if, say, I asked my mom to take me somewhere and she drops me off and she says, Ok, I'll be back in 20 min. to pick you up. OMG! I freak if I'm alone.
I do agree with Andrew. I have issues of abandonment.I have been working on this though. I am leaving the house more when no one is home. It's tough, believe me.But, I've decided to "starve" my fears instead of feeding into them.It's the only way out of this.
Thanx you guys so much for your responses!Finally, I don't feel so alone with this one.
God Bless,
sky