Are you Scared to Leave the house?

While anxiety is a natural emotion that helps us adapt to our environment and fulfill survival needs, people who worry without an actual threat may have an anxiety-related disorder. Anxiety disorders are a common mental health concern, affecting a significant portion of the population at some point in their lives, so you are not alone.

This is not meant to downplay the emotional and physical distress caused by anxiety, nor the impact it may have had on your ability to function at work or in your personal life. There are evidence-based methods, grounded in theory and supported by research, that can help people manage and overcome both acute and chronic anxiety.

One of the main factors that keep anxiety going is the tendency to avoid or escape feared situations, such as leaving the house. While this may provide short-term relief, research suggests that gradual re-exposure to these feared situations can reduce sensitivity to triggers. The idea is that the more you face these situations, the less they will affect you.

So, if you’re afraid to leave the house (even if you are safe to do so), you may benefit from gradually pushing yourself to engage in this activity more often. more frequent trip to the front door, letterbox or gate to gradually reduce your anxiety-sensitivity.