I have a lot of things that I agonize over, but being home alone is my biggest one. I'm fine when my children and husband are home, but when they go to school and work I get so depressed. I don't function when I'm by myself. I know it sounds weird, but I also have social anxiety. Either way, I am a mess. Can anyone relate?

i am the same way. except i get scared that what if something happens to me and i am home alone. i can relate. especially if i am home alone with my 19 month old son i really freak out.

Hi momsbrandi, I know what your going through. I do the very same thing. I try to sleep durring the day while my husband is at work so I won't have to deal with it. We have been married 13 years and don't have any children, so I'm usually on my own until he gets home. This has been going on for me for a long time. I want to feel normal so bad it sucks.

Do you two have social anxiety as well? mb

Being home alone has abeen a problem for me for years!!!! I have 3 children and being home alone with them used to scare me for the longest time. I was afraid during an attack I would pass out and they would be by themselves and I couldn't help them. Now that they are older and in school I am home alone alot more which I hate. Yet, I am not a very social person. During social situations I don't panic, but suffer from a generalized anxiety that is uncomfortable. So it is kinda of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

I have added another day at work ( which is 5 days ) so I'm not home alone, but I have noticed more physical symptoms. I am reading several anxiety books which is helping me take control. I refuse to medicate myself to get through this.

I have had this for about 10 years, and I go through times of extreme anxiety, and times of none at all. I try to rely on the memories of the panic free times to cope. This is hard but I refuse to become a shut-in, lose my job, or my sanity for this disorder. Continue to fight. You can do it. Your stronger than you think...

Verucah

Anyone else? Please share

Wow, I thought I was the only one who had that. I'm 56 now and have GAD and panic disorder, I have gone for many months with little problem and many months of extreme anxiety. When my kids were little and I was a single mom, I always lived in apts and when I was feeling like flipping out I'd take the kids to the neighbor to visit. I never took my kids to any outings by myself, always feared I'd have an attack and then something horrible would happen to one of them and I couldn't help. Not saying that having the extra company was bad but gee, would have been nice if my kids had a memory of just me and them, not me, friend and them. As I got older and they were more self reliant it did get better especially during the teen years. Now that they have families of their own, I don't have a problem taking the grandkids on an outing by myself(figured it didn't kill me then it won't now)like I did when they were little. I couldn't be alone either so I always got to know the neighbors real well! When I married again my hubby knew how I was and kept phone contact with me during those bad times. Even at my job. I tell ya, it is a rough path the path of unrealistic fear and I know what you all go through. Just don't let it ruin your life or run it, fight it best you can but if you need to take something for it don't feel guilty, at times I took a xanax to get over the hurdles and it's been a life saver for me. Now if cell phones were available back in the 70's I don't think I would have had as bad a time. Now that I carry a cell phone it does give me more securtiy to do things on my own, maybe it is the drug of choice for me, I panic if I can't find it now!!!

Isn't the cell phone amazing? My husband got a cell phone too, so now he can call me, or I can call him if I need to, and it has helped out alot. I don't think anything in paticular triggers my anxiety, I have it over everything. Mine is so bad if I don't get out of the bed when I think I should it starts. If I'm around a crowd I have them, when something is to loud I have them. I think depression plays a big role with me and stressing over things. This is the most rotten thing a person can experience, and I feel for anyone who has to go through it. It is an ongoing battle for me everyday even when I sleep. I wish you all well and hope someday they have a miracle cure for this.

PLease share if you can.

I have been like this too ever since I had my daughter ( I had anxiety long before that though) My fiancee works at night and I always have to have my mom or one of my friends come over and hang out with me I feel like I cannot be alone. I am on xanax, zoloft and beta blockers for palps. I think I am scared something will happen to me and Makinlee will be there all alone it scares me so bad, I have nightmares about it.

I think I am just so co-dependant. I think that's where the problem is. I feel I can't do anything if I'm alone. Does this make sense to any of you?

Yeah it does - I get that way, but also that I'm inadequate when around others so when I'm alone I want company and when I have it I don't feel I can handle it

Yeah it does - I get that way, but also that I'm inadequate when around others so when I'm alone I want company and when I have it I don't feel I can handle it

My gosh, that is exactly how I feel! I am so sorry that you're going through that but also glad that you shared that with me. Have you ever had counseling for this? Do you take meds? I just started zoloft. I'm hoping that it works with social anxiety. Let's keep in touch! :) mb

anyone else?

I have always experienced some anxiety when being left by myself since I was a child, I feared when my parents would go out and I would be left by myself especially at night. I never had an actual attack till last Spring when I became so stressed planning my wedding. I would stay home during the day, and whenever my husband or sister weren't around, I 'd start thinking about what would happen if something happened to me, who would I call, who would help me, etc. No attacks would occur when I was surrounded by others.

Then, the attacks extended to whenever I was driving alone, especially stopped at a light. The same type of deal-me wondering what would happen if something happened to me, and I'd have an attack. Then, it grew to a social type of deal, where I'd get lightheaded if I was having a conversation with someone and felt I couldn't get out.

The anxiety ceased after my wedding, but I still am anxious about being home alone, etc and I had an anxiety attack the other day at work when I felt "trapped" again when 50 people were in my line waiting impatiantly for me to help each and every one. I think I thought about it too much and allowed myself to stress out. I was so pissed off at myself, I was doing so well!

It really helped me going back to work and being around people instead of by myself all the time. I think I am totally codependent as well and I stress out over EVERYTHING, so I know these are major factors.

Glad to know I am not alone!

We are moving in June and I will have no family where we are going, I need to find a job ASAP to reduce anxiety and keep me busy!