Thank you all so much.
Small goals are good. I have a bit of a timetable and meet my friend every Tuesday afternoon, so that's good. I like going for coffee, and there is a cafe on the seafront that's usually pretty quiet that I like going to. Comfy sofas!
You're right, Leigh. The steps to going out can often calm me down. I'll go from being in bed terrified, then I can repeat to myself "it's going to be OK" or similar while I am getting ready and I'll have calmed down enough by then end of it to make it out of the front door. If I stay in bed, I just get more and more scared.
Some more visual reminders about going out is a great idea. I like the idea of putting photos up of times I have gone out and had a nice time. That's a really good idea about recording the times I've been out and nothing bad has happened - no one has ever suggested that before. :) I'll start today because I went to meet my friend earlier and then when he left I went for a walk along the beach. Nothing bad happened and the wing really blew the cobwebs away.
Thank you for being so very kind with saying I'm brave, Ali. I really don't feel it sometimes. I hurt myself out of fear the other day. I was so scared something terrible was going to happen. Now I'm safe either way, except for an injury that I have not much idea what I'm going to do with. I do try though. I really, really try. Thank you for saying I'll come through this. I'm feeling relieved because I've hurt myself. It'd been an option for a little while. I will get through it though. I've felt a bit better today.
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