hi :)

recently, I've been finding it hard to get out of bed and leave the house.

For the past almost two weeks, I've been asleep until 10, gone on my phone for 2 hours, then watched Netflix for the next 12 hours- and repeat. The weather has been beautiful, and I really want to leave the house and go out for walks and actually live my life. However, I haven't been able to leave the house. The last time I went out with my friend, two old male tradies tried to lure us into a construction site to "help them work". Another four older men stared at my friend and I's bodies as we walked past, making us feel super uncomfortable. This may sound like nothing but to me, it was absolutely terrifying. middle-aged men were staring at a couple of teenage girls' bodies. I felt like a piece of meat. The next day, I left the house to go for a walk as I usually did every day before, and I was out for 10 minutes until I felt like everyone was staring at me, judging my body and the way I look. I felt as though everyone was thinking about how ugly I am, how the shirt I was wearing made me look huge- just crap like that. so I kept my head down and walked home as fast as I could, and I haven't been on a walk since.

My parents are calling me lazy because I don't do anything all day. The truth is I'm not bothered to do anything. Things that I used to love to do seem like so much effort now, like reading, drawing, going for walks, or seeing my friends. I want to go out and live my life but I'm trapped in this bubble and can't get out.

Is this behaviour normal or am I just being dramatic?

To those of you that actually sat there and read through all of that, I salute you, congrats. Thank you <3

- may

Hello May, thanks for joining the site and although I'm not a doctor to diagnose you, can I suggest that can happen with many people.

There is a program that a psychologist can teach you or you can learn by yourself and it's called 'desensitisation' and this can teach you at your own pace how to overcome this concern, but along with this, it's may not be because you're lazy to do anything, it could be because you might be suffering from any type of depression and if so, then the hobbies we once enjoyed are no longer enjoyable and have no interest in partaking in them anymore.

Are you able to talk with your doctor by phone and for them to refer you to a psychologist, which you can start off by phone.

Ask your doctor about the 'mental health plan', this entitles Medicare to pay for 10 sessions per year and if you have any questions please ask us.

Geoff.

Hi may04,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im sorry you are feeling this way.

I agree with Geoff maybe you could see your gp and discuss how you have been feeling and maybe do a mental health plan with you gp.

Your not alone

Hi May,

Welcome to BB forum.

I'm sorry about your feeling, it must be very hard for you.

I'm not a professional but I would suggest you to find opportunities to have deep communication with your parents. Describe what you've experienced, tell them all the stories in details, tell them what's in your mind in details, let them know why you are afraid to come out. Maybe your parent's judgement can be changed. Maybe them will become helpful and supportive.

I also with Geoff and Petal22 that you can have a chat with your GP to see how she/he can help you as well.

While you're still not ready to leave home, I would suggest you not to abandon all your hobbits. For example, if you can still read books, draw pictures, keep doing it, even not for a long time. Take care of yourself, eat healthy food, take showers, sleep well, chat with your friends by phone or videos, do some exercise at home if possible.

Hope everything will get better and better gradually.

Mark

I'd strongly suggest you to see a GP or specialist asap.

The problem is not yours and you should not have been treated that way. (it's all too common)

Stay positive and you'll be enjoying your walks and life again very soon. It says nothing about you rather about them (who should know better imho)

Plus I totally get the parents "lazy" comment when not functioning due to anxiety etc. I've been that way for a lot longer than yourself.

As hard as it might be I strongly encourage you also to try to explain how you are feeling and be open and honest.

Good luck.

Chris

Hello May, have you thought about desensitisation.

Geoff.

Hi Geoff,

I researched desensitisation but I'm a bit confused about what it actually is. Could you please explain it to me.

- may :)

Hello May, I wanted to talk to you about being ogled by older men and how that made you feel. I think it's unfair to discount your feelings or to minimise the importance of the impact this experience has had on you. I want to say that you're not alone in your discomfort on this occasion, please take care, it's important to recognise our reactions to certain experiences and to differentiate them from "triggers classic"; also to validate our experiences and our genuine feelings.