Comforted or left alone?

[Quirky Jessi 2]

Whether you're in the middle of a panic attack, a low cycle in bipolarity, depression, or whatever it is that you personally deal with....

What is it you need right in the midst of it? Are you the type who wants a friend to reach out to you, hug you, hold you, sit across the room from you and just 'be there'? Or are you the type who blocks yourself off and wants everybody to disappear and leave you alone until you come down (or up)?

[racechick79 2]

I would say for me it is a little of both. There are some people that I like to be able to call to "talk me down"; like my mom. She has a way of knowing just what to say to me to get me back on track and get my mind off of whatever I am going through. But there are definitely times when I need to just be in a room by myself to be able to focus on my breathing and bring myself back to reality. My husband, having anxiety himself, does not really always do the best job of bringing me back down - he usually has a way of ramping me up more!

[Gilly 1086]

I was defo one of those 'I need a hug' people. I needed holding and my husband to talk me through it. He must have gotten sick and tired of it when I was at my worst, and I know he's glad I now have my online support network, with their help and support I don't need him to do it so often

[Twinks* 16]

Great question....I just want to be alone!! For sure...wallow I guess.

[Zacko 0]

I definitely agree with Twinks; I feel as though I need to be completely left alone, any further contact can seriously ruin my mood and increase the intensity of my panic attacks.

[kinser 3]

I used to prefer being comforted when I was feeling sad and vulnerable, but that has changed. I really can't say why? Now when I'm not feeling well, I prefer to be left alone. My husband isn't always the greatest at saying the best things, maybe because he feels frustrated he can't :"solve' the problem. If he would just understand I'm not looking for him or anyone else to solve the problem, it might be different, I don't know. I have a big pet peeve with people who think they need to offer advice when I haven't asked for it. My mother in law is a big offender of this, so maybe that's where hubby gets it!

[mrsalphabet 4]

It really depends on what it triggering the anxiety for me. Normally a phone call to my mom can calm me down and get my mind off things. She definitely has a calming effect on me for some reason. If it's the middle of the night when it happens, I will sometimes crawl into bed with one of my kids and snuggle. I know that sounds weird, but seeing them, hugging them, cuddling with them relaxes me as well.

Honestly I try to avoid my husband when I'm feeling like that. He makes it worse. God knows I love him, but he contributes to my anxiety!

[Quirky Jessi 2]

My husband, having anxiety himself, does not really always do the best job of bringing me back down - he usually has a way of ramping me up more!

Oy, that's not good! Two people who struggle with anxiety could really end up feeding off each other and not in a positive way!

maybe because he feels frustrated he can't :"solve' the problem. If he would just understand I'm not looking for him or anyone else to solve the problem, it might be different, I don't know. I have a big pet peeve with people who think they need to offer advice when I haven't asked for it.

He may have gotten it from his mother, but that's a very typical "male" thing. They hear a complaint or a problem and they feel like that means there needs to be a solution. It's hard to understand that you just need to vent when they approach it from the angle of "hey, I need to help."

[JOYCICLE 654]

LEAVE ME ALONE!

I will say it's nice to come to chat or talk to a friend about it but as far as physical touching? or even being physically in close proximity to someone...... NO !

[b00ts 16]

I'm one of those odd people with my panics. If I'm in the midst of one I usually slink off to suffer quietly...but then at the same time I want someone there in case I die. It's so weird.

When I'm in a depressive state I really don't want to be around anyone I want to sleep and stay hidden. When I'm manic it's the opposite.

[btatro 0]

For a day or two (I do not allow myself more) I just want to be alone. I want to stay in bed, under my covers, and sleep. After I have that time to collect myself and just be away from what is causing the stress, I am ready to take on whatever it is. At that time, I like to have others around me to help give me the motivation and energy I desperately need but do not have.

[JPBM 0]

I'm afraid of getting depressed. Sometimes i couldn't help myself being positive when i'm on processing of depression. I always wanted to stay on my room, i used to cry and cry.But still i overcome those days of my life being so down, mostly we experiencing depression when stress is too much attack to our system, It will control our first emotional status and some other people having lower self steam they get failed and fall to the worse outcome.

[shaun 6]

I like to be left alone when I am not feeling good. With space and in my own time I know I can recover and move forward. I feel pressured when I am surrounded by people and trying to deal with a problem. I just need space and time to recollect, I have experience to know I can overcome it.

[Quirky Jessi 2]

I'm one of those odd people with my panics. If I'm in the midst of one I usually slink off to suffer quietly...but then at the same time I want someone there in case I die. It's so weird.

I'm just curious, so please don't feel obligated to answer, but...

Is that when you're panicking about something that might cause you to die (like if you're freaking out because you're afraid of flying or going outside, etc)....or is it regardless of why you're panicking, you just want someone there in case you hyperventilate or something?

[JungleJulia 235]

For me it can be both. And it depends on the person. Like when im panicking i like someone to tell me it's alright. But if they are going to stress me further i'd prefer them to leave me alone. When im overtired from anxiety/depression I prefer to be alone but if someone can just be quiet around me then thats ok.

[arctic 0]

I prefer to be left alone to give myself a chance to let the tears fall and feel. But I must admit, I needed some comforting. Only when I have allowed myself to cry would I seek comfort from someone. It's a big help although I dont depend much on the advice. I just need to let it out. That way I am in control already.

[fortheo 15]

Depends on the person who would be in my company. There are few people in this world who I would feel comfortable with seeing my in my worst states. I like being alone, but knowing someone else is there if I need them does comfort me.

[Waffle 0]

It all depends with me. I'm Bipolar with general anxiety disorder as well. As far as the bipolar side of things goes, when I'm down I want to be completely left alone. I hate everyone, and all I want to do is lock myself into a dark room and never emerge again.

For manic days as well as panic attacks I prefer to be around people. I need people either to occupy my mind, or in the very worse cases, to convince me that I'm going to be okay.

[panicstricken 4]

I prefer to be left alone once the attack hits me. Then when the panic is gone I like to be embraced. I think of it like a reward for going through a horrible ordeal. I noticed if people talk to me while I'm under the influence of panic, I get very angry and irritated. It's easier for me to deal with it on my own, and then I will go back to normal. I try to seclude myself away from everyone in my bedroom, then when I feel better I will go back outside.

[farrah 2]

I am a blocker. I just need to be alone until the funk disappates. Having someone there, or someone trying to "make it better" just makes me worse. My favorite spot is in my bed under the covers...... totally alone. I close the shades and make it as dark as possible. I know it sounds depressing, but its very relaxing. The other place I like to go that helps me is the Church that I grew up in. I also went to school there. I don't attend the mass there anymore, but for some reason the smell in there is very comforting. My parents have passed away, so its kind of like my "home base" feeling. SOmetimes I go inside a condessional and just sit on the floor in there, alone and its very dark. I know it sounds creepy, but I really find it soothing.

[Esperahol 0]

I slink off to be very, very alone because I don't like anyone talking down to me like I'm just overreacting or like I can just switch it off. I rather go off and try to walk my way through it. I mean I just kind of close my eyes and pace while I think about what is wrong and why I feel like I need to panic or just give up. It can take hours, but it works for me and it's one good thing I picked up from working in manufacturing at a company that won't be named.

[deecee 2]

It really depends on what the situation is at the time. Mostly, I prefer to work it out myself, but there are times when I want to vent to someone else. If the trigger was a genuine event like serious illness or worse, then I want physical comforting. Otherwise, I tend to go the lone wolf route.

[Jailynnsgrandma 0]

I like to be distracted. I do not really like to be alone during it, on the other hand I would rather be alone than have someone hug or comfort me. If someone can start talking to me about something that will distract me, that is the best for me.

[altrouge 3]

Mine would be a little bit of both. I'd usually be better off alone while gradually calming my senses, but there's certain people who could always approach me and make me feel better. When I'm in this state I don't want people talking to me or approach me in any way. However if it's someone dear to me I'd usually "let them in".

[shaun 6]

When I feel down I just want to be left alone, I need space to think and reconcile, I have the experience to deal with it on my own. When I am feeling anxious in a social situation, I prefer to be with friends, it takes the edge of the situation when you can joke with your friends.