Anxiety due to isolation

[Corzhens]

My family disapproved of me to marry that's why when I started living in with my husband, no one knew about it. And then my husband was sent on a work assignment abroad for 4 months. I was a working girl too so I thought I wouldn't miss him that much. But after a week or 2, loneliness set in particularly so because I was alone in our condo unit. And I couldn't tell anyone of my situation because I was afraid that word may reach my family. I used to write to my husband that I had difficulty sleeping at night and there were times that I was shaking with no reason at all. Take note that there was no internet yet and our only means of correspondence is the postal mail. That aggravated the situation. But I'm glad that I was able to endure that isolation and no one had suspected that I was suffering from anxiety.

 

[ReadmeByAmy]

I was the one who got married last among my siblings that is why when I got married all of them were sad especially my mother because we live together for so long. My nieces and nephews who are all very close to me is crying when I left the country. I married a foreign man that is why I should migrate and live in another country. The first time living in another place I always had this fears and worries because I have to deal with people having different culture and language that is why I also had this feeling of isolation. I always miss my mother and crying every night thinking of my whole family whom I grew up with. I remembered it is only during the first month that we live together because the place of my husband work is very far from our house. That is why he goes home every Saturday only and is back every Monday. It had been two years like that and I can't imagined myself not sleeping every night because I am alone and I just sleep in the morning. That is why when we had our vacation in my home country they said why I look that I am sick. I really had anxiety during those times. I don't know how I had overcome that kind of situation. I am glad that he had got a new work here in our place that is why everyday we are now together and I had no more fears and I do not worry and feel nervous anymore.

 

[Zeesi]

These days, having the Internet really helps on many levels. I told one of my aunts, who lives alone that she should get a computer. She fought it for a long time, but now it seems that she had gotten a hold of one of my uncle's computers and she is so excited about simple things that she can do via the computer.


It is good that you overcame your anxiety when your husband was gone, and the fact that your family disapproved of your marriage, so you could not reach out to them for support, made things worse. How did they finally find out that you were living with him?


I understand where you are coming from about 'shaking'. I went through a period on time where I was so anxious that I used to shake for no reason at all, too. I was anxious about so many things every single day. My shaking got so bad that I could not even eat in the same room with other people because my hands would shake when I would pick up a spoon or a fork, and people would comment about it which would make me even more anxious!

 

[pwarbi]

As you say, these days of technology and internet have been a blessing for a lot of people, and in the past while a person might have been away from people they know, and they would have had literally no contact at all with other people, these days they at least have their smartphones and internet to keep in touch. I've mentioned before that a lot of people think that the internet and in particular social media as made people a lot less sociable on a face to face, physical basis, and while that IS true, at the same time it's also helped a lot more people to interact with others whereas in the past they wouldn't have been able to.


Feeling and lonely and isolated from everyone can be one of the worst feelings in the world,and if you are not mentality strong or confident anyway, it's that feeling of being on your own that can send a lot of people spiralling into depression before they know it, so while the internet isn't a substitute for physical interaction, it can be the difference between coping and going under in a lot of cases.

 

[Sue]

When I lived alone I often felt that way. Even though I had the internet there never seemed to be anybody around when I was feeling lonely. Everybody was busy with their own lives and didn't have time for me. I would get really depressed and it would go on for weeks. I hated living alone. I never slept well. I would hear every little sound and it would make me feel anxious. I didn't have a phone at the time but then again I am not a phone person and never would have called anybody anyway. I would get in such a rut that when my friends would ask me to go out with them I would always make an excuse to stay home. Even though I was lonely at home I dreaded being out among people. It was a terrible feeling.

 

[kgord]

Yes, the internet is really good for feelings of lonlieness but it doesn't take the place of a person in your life in my opinion. Having pets and roommates around are helpful though, and can help to ease the feeling of isolation. I think that people who are especially lonely can find solace in various places. I think being alone too much can lead to feelings of anxiety because you often have too much time to think, and it is not a good thing.

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I am sorry to hear about your situation, I really hope that you're doing so much better right now.


And that's one of the reasons why I think that internet is one of the most important creations, we're able to sent messages to another completely different part of the world in less than a second, so, we almost broke the barrier of long distance, what I think it's great. Without mentioning all the support that everyone with any type of problems can find online. There's a lot of communities on the internet and I think that's a great way for people to feel less alone, and I think that's a big advance for us as society.

 

[SouthernMom]

Loneliness is a big cause for depression and anxiety. I hope you are doing well today and haven't felt so isolated again.


It's amazing how the internet has opened up communication so well that we don't have to feel so alone anymore.


With email and chat-rooms, forum etc. there is always someone there to talk to.

 

[kelden]

You seemed to be suffering from loneliness, not directly from isolation. You were doing pretty well with your husband around, thus you already isolated yourself from family to avoid face the conflict that may arouse marriage disapprovement. Good thng that you endured this episode of anxiety, is not pleasant to be alone but with your mind trying to drag you to despair.

 

[John Snort]

Being alone and that feeling that you actually are all alone when your family and friends have turned their backs on you can be devastating. Many to cope with that, instead of trying to make new friends opt to start using drugs to deal with loneliness and the resulting anxiety. Depression follows and with more drug use, it gets worse. Since you can have friends and family around and still feel lonely everyone should learn meditation as it can banish those negative feelings and the anxiety that accompanies them will also be gone.

 

[hades_leae]

That's good that you were able to overcome that situation. Many people out there would struggle just as much, and probably seek attention in anyway they can, which become a problem.


I think that experience made you stronger because you kept your head up and made it through.

 

[Daves]

I'm going through something similar at the moment, my boyfriend is the only one that knows about my anxiety and he is currently away. I get really anxious and depressed being all alone here, he knows so he Skypes me till I'm asleep. Can't imagine what it was like without the Internet.