Posted by getinwl72 on October 8, 2006, at 9:30:23
In reply to Re: Depression-Anxiety-Panic-I can't leave my hous » getinwl72, posted by Racer on October 8, 2006, at 1:51:58
> Welcome to Babble. I'm glad you came out of the shadows...
>
> I've already posted that I have problems leaving the house, so this is offered as something that's helping me, not as a "well, it's easy" solution. I've started taking a few classes as a local junior college, as a reason to leave the house on a regular basis. I only take a couple of classes, but it does mean that a couple of times a week, I leave the house for a reason other than going to the doctor's or therapist's. That's reason enough for me to do it. It might help you, too. I'm taking maths classes, so I also have a reason to spend time in the math lab, which also helps keep me in contact with the world.
>
> Something like that might be a good start for you, too. Aside from academic classes, you might consider things like ceramics -- which can sometimes be good for MS, I've heard. Then there are those classes like "film appreciation" which can be as demanding as you choose to make them.
>
> Another thing that might help if you have the physical strength, is volunteering in an area that you feel strongly about. Volunteer at the local animal shelter, where you'd be interacting with humans secondarily to working with the beasties; volunteer at the local Boys and Girls club, helping with homework; be a docent at the local herpetological museum; be an usher at the opera (you get to see the opera, too!); there are as many opportunities for volunteering as there are interests.
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> Or, if that's too much, see if there are city walks in your area -- walking tours of sites of local interest. Those are one shot deals, which makes them easier.
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> Ah, I've got a million ideas -- none of which I have done anytime lately, but at least I've signed up for classes, and attend them...
>
> Good luck to you, and welcome again to BabbleLand!Hi there and thanks for the suggestions. These will undoubtedly sound like excuses... I work about 50-60 hours per week and am a single mother. My son is 16 and has some troubles. So, signing up for classes and doing anything extra is not anything I can do right now. I would really love to just get my sneakers on and walk around my neighborhood as I used to. It's so odd. I think I may force myself to start going into the office one day a week to interract with my co-workers in lieu of the above suggestions. I have just become so disconnected. I would say that working from home is not neccessarily a good thing for people with Depression/Anxiety as it enables us to isolate. I think maybe that's what has happened to me. I will try. Thanks for your welcome wishes and support!
poster:getinwl72
thread:691873
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061003/msgs/692945.html