Dystonia Mum

[jo81]

Hi, Im a 32 year old mum from Australia. I have had anxiety since a child, which has flared up more these past 2 years due to developing Cervical Dystonia 2 years ago. I have chronic pain everyday. I have also developed social anxiety/phobia due to my condition.

[Lin]

Sounds like you are really struggling, hope you find it useful being on the forum and have some help from people on here.
I have not been able to socialise since my depression started this time 2.5 years ago. I can't even talk to my work colleagues outside of work if I bump into them. I hate it because you feel really isolated and you have to hope that your real friends understand and will wait for you to get better and be able to socialise again.
I have just had a huge set back and ended up not wanting to go out of the house again. It feels so much easier staying at home on my settee, no hassle and no other people, so much safer. But unfortunately it makes my depression worse staying in. I have started up a peer support group on an evening so that people like me have other people to talk to, we only have a little group so far, but it helps and i have made some new friends. It also means I have to go out one night a week which is good.

[jo81]

[Thanks Lin. It is hard and somedays are harder than others. It's great that you have started your own support group and can meet other people. This is very important in lifting our spirits. It is easier staying at home but not good for us. Even getting outside and getting 20 minutes of sunshine helps with my mood. It's good to talk to other people here on the forum who are understanding. :)

[crystalviolet]

Same here..the only place im comfortable is home..but everytime im out,its ok for awhile then alk of a sudden it hits me..im just tured of it

[Lin]

Same here..the only place im comfortable is home..but everytime im out,its ok for awhile then alk of a sudden it hits me..im just tured of it

Perhaps there are some groups in your area where people with anxiety and depression meet up - you ought to try and find out. If you are in England your Mental Health Forum will know where the groups are.

If not, why not start one up. Just make sure you have group rules re confidentiality and if someone misbehaves and then start meeting. It is really good to know that once a week you are going to have 1.5 hours where people understand you.