FraidyCat2008

I used to be an extremely independent person. I used to pack up my little Jeep and drive back and forth and up and down all of America. I was able to drive to the airport get on a plane and go anywhere. I gave seminars and public speeches- I was involved in numerous clubs. Everynight I attended atleast two functions and socialized with those in my field. Now I can’t even answer my telephone.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?

I cower in the corner of my own house – and I live alone, except for my cat and dog. I don’t know how I let this “disease” escalate to this horrible situation. I have isolated myself from everyone. I have changed jobs and cannot function. If I am in a place where there are people (and they are everywhere! :)) I can barely speak- I start to stutter (I do not have a stutter),I freak out thinking everyone is looking at me. Often it takes an hour or two to settle down and recover. My sister keeps me alive by bringing me groceries and making phone calls on my behalf. I hide from everyone and everything. I spend my time at home living in fear that something will break and require repair people. I couldn’t bear a person in my home and I don’t think I could even speak to them.

I don’t know what to do or even how it got to this point. The only thing I do know is that I cannot stay like this -I need a plan to change my situation and get back to life.

We can all overcome our fear of people. I know we can. We aren’t the first to suffer from this and we won’t be the last -it can be beaten.