General questions about your life situation

[D@rwin_dude]

Hi all, I'm making this thread out of curiosity. We all seem to struggle with similar things from what I've read; working, shopping, meeting people, talking to people, going out in public etc. So I have a few questions about people's lifestyles and life situations in general.

My aim in making this thread is just to get an idea of how people deal with the aspects and issues that arise as a result of the way we feel about the above situations and to (hopefully) provide some tips or strategies for others who have similar difficulties and don't know what to do about it.

Questions:

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

Anyway ppl I hope I get some responses and don't come off as too nosey. I will answer my own questions in another post to give you some idea of my situation and how I deal with things. I'm genuinely interested in your responses so plz get back to me.

Thanks.

 

[D@rwin_dude]

Ok now to answer my own questions (lol)

1. I live in an apartment owned by my parents with my brother. I used to live at home with my Dad and brother and things were going great. I now pay $100 a week rent to them and I have to pay for internet, cable tv, electricity and food.

2. I used to work in a bakery with my brother. He was the boss of the section I worked in and there was one other guy who never says anything to anyone. It was a very good working environment for me. I then gave driving a delivery truck for the same bakery a go and it was pretty good (great pay) for about 4 months. I wanted to go back to working with my brother but the boss was pissed off because I slept in on my last shift. Now I'm unemployed and have a bit of savings I'm living off :s

3. As part of my living arrangements my brother used to do the shopping (he has the bigger room with ensuite) but lately I've been doing it myself. I basically force myself into the situation and make a list of things to get (otherwise I would never remember) and now they have thos self-service checkouts so you really don't have to interact with anyone!! lol.

4. I used to have a shocking diet. Lots of lollies, chocolate, junk food, a pie for lunch everyday and yes red rooster, maccas, hungry jacks and other take away (mainly drive through) for dinner. For the past week I've been eating healthy (part of the reason I'm doing my own shopping) Fruit for breakfast, salad and ham, tuna sandwiches for lunch. Some kind of meat a veg at night. Nut bars and fruit for snacks.

5. Yes I exercise daily. I go for runs through this nature reserve about 5 mins from my house, there's hardly anyone there and it goes through scrub. I think it's really good for me and its nice to be in nature. For the past week I've been doing push-ups and crunches everyday (going for the healthy body = healthy mind approach a bit). I used to play (am still hoping to play) soccer and touch footy. Things got really bad a few months ago and I stopped going...now I want to go again but I don't know how to explain to my team-mates where I've been and I worry I'll feel really awkward/uncomfortable each game :s (it really sucks because I love sport and I'm good at it)

6. I might be different from most in that I've made great improvements many times. In fact my biggest problem is what might be called relapse. I've gotten myself to the point where I go all kinds of places weekly (sport, work, friends places and play poker, even clubbing a few times) and maintain it for months. Then I crash and crash hard and end up basically being unable to leave the house. I've gone from the freedom to recluse over 50 times maybe even 100. I can give you guys some explanation of the things I've used to get improvements if you're interested and you might find it lasts for you.

Right now my situation is - no job but with a bit of savings. I had a great 5 months this year, had more savings in my bank than ever and worked from January through to June. I was going to sport every week, playing poker weekly with a group of mates, feeling pretty happy with my life and had a good amount of freedom. In June things crashed and I stopped going basically anywhere.

My parents want me to go down to Sydney to see a guy for some CBT. I haven't been to my usual sport scenes in ages but want to get back into it. I've been making a genuine effort to do things regardless of my feelings and eat + be physically healthy for 2 weeks. I've tasted a better life and really hope I can get there again and get it to stay that way.

I look forward to (hopefully hearing some replies!!)

Peace all.

DD.

 

[Off The Wall]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

- I live with my mum and her boyfriend (who i dislike alot) and my brother - i feel extremely alone he has a life he goes out all the time. Whenever i say i wanna go somewhere he is like with who? you have no friends... internet friends don't count. I feel like such a loser my little brother telling me i have no life. It's true though. I don't pay rent i have no idea how i've gotten away with it for so long coming up to 4yrs now..

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

- I did work when i was younger so i have a bit of money saved up from that otherwise i'd have none.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

- my mum does the shopping, i sometimes go and get a few things and it's insane waiting in the line with a basket of food not being able to run away and feeling like i'm going to faint anytime now...

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

- i've always ate pretty well, trying to be a bit more healthy nower days though since i do nothing else, i've just been putting on weight and that makes me ever more depressed then what i already am so, i mean i eat take-away still just try not to do it tooo often.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

- Not really, walking for like 20mins was about all i did. I started skipping this week cause i can do it at home but i get bad shin splints from it.. so that's ended. I want to take up swimming cause thats pretty relaxing. hopefully soon. any takers?? lol

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

Umm, well i use to not be able to even leave my house so yes, i've made a big change (from doing CBT) I still avoid almost everything i possibly can but i can go out without getting really bad panic attacks.. I still get anxiety everytime i go out though. About the only big change is yeah being able to leave my house thankfully.

 

[Jake123]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

I live with my parents

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

I don't have a job, never have and never can. My parents don't work either, we all live off of my social security disability check.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

No, my parents buy everything, though the groceries aren't really for me

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

I don't really eat. I'm a strict vegetarian and I dislike food in general, so I only eat random things in my house that I find lying around that I can tolerate

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

I do exercise by myself, but I can't stand doing it around anyone. Once a single person is around I just lose all my motivation and stamina and enter into a state of anxiety, so gyms and sports are out of the question

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

I make improvements all the time but they just come tumbling back down like it never happened

 

[PennyLane]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

I live with 4 other people in an apartment, not family or anything. I pay rent and we split the bills

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

Im at uni so i live off money from part time jobs during uni and full time jobs in the holidays

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

Yes i do my own shopping.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

i try to be healthy but im a student so cheap wins over. I dont like fast food.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

I run quite a lot and do sit ups at night. When i go home I do yoga classes, which i love.

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

Not really...i find as i get older and still have no friends it reaffirms my belief that im not good enough and so i withdraw further to reduce the rejection.

 

[blue-roses]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
I live with my parents on weekends, and in a residential college during the week (Tuesday-Friday this semester; no Monday classes! )

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?
Parentals! And I'm planning on using my scholarship money (only $2000/year : to pay for the therapy I'm hoping to start soon....

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
Yes. I don't mind it, but I don't like going to the checkout where this one girl serves, EVERY week, no matter what time of day I go in. The thought of being a "regular" (like the person who goes into the coffee shop and asks for "the usual") just scares me....cos, I dunno, I think I buy weird things, and it's so obvious from my purchases that I'm a student (think two-minute noodles, lots of tinned food, the cheapest brands, etc.). And then she's there, obviously with a steady job, probably pays for her own stuff...I just feel like a loser. I also hate having to tramp back through the uni with armloads of shopping. I don't have my licence yet so I have to tram it and then walk about 1.5km around the whole campus back to college. With those green bags, with bread and stuff sticking out. And people stare.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?
Despite what I said about "student food" in the last question, I try to eat well considering I'm away from home...I love vegetables and I cook myself a big bowl of greens several times a week (trying to ward off cancer, lol). I also eat a lot of almonds and wholemeal bread. My parents are paying for my food so I feel bad if I spend money on junk food, so bread, the cheapest fruit and veg, and almonds (which aren't that cheap) are my staples when I'm at college.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
I got a membership for the uni sports centre and went swimming twice a week for two weeks, haha. I didn't want to leave my room without make-up, though, so I was swimming with eyeliner and mascara...no...not what you think, haha...I kept my head above the water but people WERE giving me funny looks. Seriously, who swims with eye make-up? Also, I can't swim very well anyway and I just felt like I was hogging the lane that someone who could actually swim properly could be using...

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?
I've applied for two jobs in the past week...both fairly high-stress and one a customer service position...and the psychologist at uni has been giving me challenges to do (which I've described in another thread somewhere) where I have to make a pointless - and sometimes silly - phone call each day. I'm also surprisingly good at public speaking, considering the SA. I used to be dreadful in high school but since I've started uni people tell me I look really pro - even though I can feel my heart pounding and my voice shaking, I don't have to read off my cue cards and I know how to alter my pitch and everything to try and engage the audience. But the difference between public speaking and socialisation is that you're FORCED to do public speaking at uni (I don't want to fail here!) and you're also allowed lots of time to rehearse and don't have to worry about someone else saying something you hadn't prepared for...

I know I probably seem a lot better off than most people on this forum, in that I'm managing (just!) to stay at uni and everything, and I almost feel like I shouldn't be here, but even though I cope okay sometimes, I'm constantly under stress, my personal relationships just keep deteriorating, and when I'm alone (most of the time now) I really feel like I'm going insane.

 

[this_portrait]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
Half of the time, I live at home with my parents. The rest of the time, I live on campus with a roommate. I don't pay any rent.

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?
The only 'job' I have is being a full-time student. I can't seem to find a part-time work-study job, and I doubt I'd be able to balance it out with my classes and extracurricular work as well. So I think I'm just going to wait until summer time to see if I can get a part-time job while I'm at home, to help pay some of my loans/tuition off.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
Here, I do my own shopping all by myself. I have no clue how I manage it. Back at home, I go shopping with my mom at around 3 in the morning, which is easier.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?
Here at school, I buy my own food and eat from the campus dining halls. I don't spend too much money on fast food and takeout, because it's expensive. Back at home, however, I tend to live off of fast food.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
I don't exercise much, unfortunately. I can't seem to keep up the routine of it. I guess walking everywhere is my 'exercise'.

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?
Improvements with SA, you mean? I guess I've made a few improvements. I don't seem to have as hard of a time talking to people as I did a few months ago. The only issue I have is with finding a date. =/

 

[TheLonelyArabian]

It’s different here in Jordan. Most of us don’t(can’t!) leave our parents house not until we get our degrees and start working…so, I’d say the norm here(to live on your own)would be mid/late twenties.
Now the reason for that is :
1-education is unbelievably expensive
2-part time jobs are scarce and if they do exist then the pay is inhumanly pathetic
so I’m 21 and living with my parents ^______^

4- I eat healthy so I can treat myself some delicious fast food every once in a while
5- I run about an hour daily, hit the gym every other day

 

[Mack_Berserk]

Interesting questions.

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
I live with roommates who are family of my best friend(only friend really) in Dallas, TX. I was originally here for a job op, but that fell through. I pay $600 in rent, including utilities and such. Bills are roughly 1,300 a month with car payment, insurance, food, and gas. ::

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?
After getting laid off, I decided that it was time for exposure... as much as I didn't want to. I went to work as a Host at Chilis (restaurant) for a time. It was terrifying. To be honest, all other interviews had failed in previous attempts at other jobs - Didn't have much of a choice.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
I do. I generally try to go once a week and get the bare necessities, which is hard.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?
My diet used to be consistant and set (i.e. eggs and toast for breakfast, turkey sandwich for lunch, spagetti for dinner), but certain factors have changed that. It's pretty random now. I can't afford takeout and eating out - And for that I'm glad considering my health.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
I used to work out every single day without fail to relieve stress. I have a small body type though, and it's difficult for me to put on weight (which is nice) and gain muscle (not so nice), even with tons of protein. I stopped working out recently... Increased depression...

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

Working out and working at Chilis (restaurant) definitely helped numb that fear of 'being around people', but I still can't talk to anyone and be 'social', or show emotion, or have character/attitude.

 

[InDeepshit]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
I'm living at home with parents and siblings, they pay for most of the living expenses.

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?
i'm working as a nurse but i found an area in which it's not very stressful socially to work in , and i've totally abandoned progressing in my career. I thought contact with people at work all the time would help me improve but i've been put in situations i can't deal with and had shift long panic attacks. I realise it was a good choice because i'm forced to be social and now i have these work contacts other than just family.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
no problem with going grocery shopping

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?
i've been eating a lot of junk lately for lunch whenever i go out driving or i'm at work. Otherwise just homecooked meals.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
I don't exercise at all anymore, work keeps me a little fit. I'm very unmotivated to. I wouldn't join a sports club because of the stress of being part of a group.
6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last
I've concentrated on my appearance, tried a gym for a while. quit the gym... and i've made no improvements since then which was a couple of months ago... i don't have any hobbies really nothing is very enjoyable.. and although i try to get out more when i talk to strangers like.. shop assistants i respond straight to the point because i've no idea how to carry on a conversation.

 

[sabbath]

1. apartment
2. programming
3. list
4. junk
5. housework
6. yes, 4 years so far

 

[LadyWench]

To be honest, I really don't have a life. But I thought it'd be interesting (well, not my post) to see what other people's answers are and stuff. And I wanted to contribute.

When I dropped out of the 8th grade, I developed agoraphobia. I've always had panic disorder, depression and OCD. But the agoraphobia was new to me. However, I knew that it was connected with my panic. I got to the point where I wouldn't leave the house for two weeks. Perhaps longer. And when I DID leave, it wasn't for very long. And every time I did, I would have a panic attack. I was finally able to go to the Counseling Center and get some therapy. The therapist that I had at the time was surprisingly helpful. I eventually got out of that agoraphobic state and was able to leave the house normally. My panic attacks never stopped, but it wasn't as bad as it used to be.

Now I feel it's coming back. I had a job (my first job) when I was 16. This was in 2007. Unfortunately, I was laid off and I haven't worked since. Anyway, on with the questions...

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay? -- Well, I live with my mom and boyfriend. My boyfriend and I are hoping to move out soon...but I don't know if/when that's going to happen due to finances and most places in this town don't accept pets. There's no way we're leaving our cats, fish and turtles behind.

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are? -- I'm unemployed right now. I'm finding it impossible for me to work with my mental conditions. My therapist keeps suggesting I try to get Social Security. I don't want to. I feel like it's a step backward and I'm basically accepting the fact that I AM mentally disabled and can't live like a normal person. Nor am I competent enough. But it might be my only option right now...since I need some sort of income. I hate that. My first and only job I had was a good one. I worked for an ambulance company. It was just the office, I was a filing clerk and stuff. I really enjoyed it. But after I was laid off, I found out the truth about all the employees and bosses there. All stuck-up bitches. Maybe it was for the best that I had to leave.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it? -- Well, since I'm unemployed and don't drive, my mom and boyfriend are the ones that do most of the shopping. I know, I'm pathetic. I'm a lump and a leech.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals? -- I don't eat fast food very often. Mainly because we don't have the money, haha. I don't eat nearly as healthy as I should. I'm overweight and I would really love to get back into the habit of exercising and eating right. Back in 2005, I got on WeightWatchers and lost tons of weight. I felt so great about myself. I think that was the only time in my life where I actually didn't hate the way I looked. And I genuinely felt good. Probably won't happen again, though. Life is wonderful.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it? -- I don't play sports. It's really not my cup of tea. And like I mentioned in the above answer, I really do need to start exercising again. I haven't in ages. I'm a lazy, fat lard.

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last? -- I did last year. My anxiety and depression were just out of control (like they are now..only I think they're even worse this year). But when I started exercising and losing weight again last year, I was feeling good. My panic attacks decreased greatly. My OCD wasn't as prominent and I just wasn't as depressed. I don't know where the improvement came from. It just sort of happened without me realizing it. My therapist was the one to point it out, haha. But now I'm back to where I started...only worse. So, obviously my positivity didn't last for very long.

Anyway. I'm sorry this is so long and boring. If ANY of you read this...or even just a little bit...thank you. I know it's lame.

 

[Mack_Berserk]

To be honest, I really don't have a life. But I thought it'd be interesting (well, not my post) to see what other people's answers are and stuff. And I wanted to contribute.

When I dropped out of the 8th grade, I developed agoraphobia. I've always had panic disorder, depression and OCD. But the agoraphobia was new to me. However, I knew that it was connected with my panic. I got to the point where I wouldn't leave the house for two weeks. Perhaps longer. And when I DID leave, it wasn't for very long. And every time I did, I would have a panic attack. I was finally able to go to the Counseling Center and get some therapy. The therapist that I had at the time was surprisingly helpful. I eventually got out of that agoraphobic state and was able to leave the house normally. My panic attacks never stopped, but it wasn't as bad as it used to be.

Now I feel it's coming back. I had a job (my first job) when I was 16. This was in 2007. Unfortunately, I was laid off and I haven't worked since. Anyway, on with the questions...

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay? -- Well, I live with my mom and boyfriend. My boyfriend and I are hoping to move out soon...but I don't know if/when that's going to happen due to finances and most places in this town don't accept pets. There's no way we're leaving our cats, fish and turtles behind.

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are? -- I'm unemployed right now. I'm finding it impossible for me to work with my mental conditions. My therapist keeps suggesting I try to get Social Security. I don't want to. I feel like it's a step backward and I'm basically accepting the fact that I AM mentally disabled and can't live like a normal person. Nor am I competent enough. But it might be my only option right now...since I need some sort of income. I hate that. My first and only job I had was a good one. I worked for an ambulance company. It was just the office, I was a filing clerk and stuff. I really enjoyed it. But after I was laid off, I found out the truth about all the employees and bosses there. All stuck-up bitches. Maybe it was for the best that I had to leave.

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it? -- Well, since I'm unemployed and don't drive, my mom and boyfriend are the ones that do most of the shopping. I know, I'm pathetic. I'm a lump and a leech.

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals? -- I don't eat fast food very often. Mainly because we don't have the money, haha. I don't eat nearly as healthy as I should. I'm overweight and I would really love to get back into the habit of exercising and eating right. Back in 2005, I got on WeightWatchers and lost tons of weight. I felt so great about myself. I think that was the only time in my life where I actually didn't hate the way I looked. And I genuinely felt good. Probably won't happen again, though. Life is wonderful.

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it? -- I don't play sports. It's really not my cup of tea. And like I mentioned in the above answer, I really do need to start exercising again. I haven't in ages. I'm a lazy, fat lard.

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last? -- I did last year. My anxiety and depression were just out of control (like they are now..only I think they're even worse this year). But when I started exercising and losing weight again last year, I was feeling good. My panic attacks decreased greatly. My OCD wasn't as prominent and I just wasn't as depressed. I don't know where the improvement came from. It just sort of happened without me realizing it. My therapist was the one to point it out, haha. But now I'm back to where I started...only worse. So, obviously my positivity didn't last for very long.

Anyway. I'm sorry this is so long and boring. If ANY of you read this...or even just a little bit...thank you. I know it's lame.

I read it, AND I wrote one - it's not lame

I say if working out made you feel good, start up again and don't stop, no matter what. The same goes for the diet - if you can afford it. That's what i'm going to do (as soon as this cold passes).

I'm kind of at a point where I can improve, or just die. As funny as that may sound, there is no inbetween for me. I'm tired of the life I'm living, always in fear. It's alright to be afraid, but not to the point where you're afraid to get out and do something that makes you feel better about yourself (which in your case would be working out).

Make it a daily habit at a certain time and keep to it.

Anyways, best of luck to your and your bf in finding a new place.

 

[Fear of people]

Hi all, I'm making this thread out of curiosity. We all seem to struggle with similar things from what I've read; working, shopping, meeting people, talking to people, going out in public etc. So I have a few questions about people's lifestyles and life situations in general.

My aim in making this thread is just to get an idea of how people deal with the aspects and issues that arise as a result of the way we feel about the above situations and to (hopefully) provide some tips or strategies for others who have similar difficulties and don't know what to do about it.

Questions:

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

Anyway ppl I hope I get some responses and don't come off as too nosey. I will answer my own questions in another post to give you some idea of my situation and how I deal with things. I'm genuinely interested in your responses so plz get back to me.

Thanks.

Hi D@rwin-Dude, I also suffer from SA quite badly and find it a stressful event when it comes to visiting shopping centres e.t.c. as I believe also everyone is staring at me or laughing at my appearance due to being short and even though they are not. I even avoid my neighbours in the fear of being noticed and judged by my appearance even though I am a average looking person with no disabiltites what so ever.

 

[LadyWench]

I read it, AND I wrote one - it's not lame

I say if working out made you feel good, start up again and don't stop, no matter what. The same goes for the diet - if you can afford it. That's what i'm going to do (as soon as this cold passes).

I'm kind of at a point where I can improve, or just die. As funny as that may sound, there is no inbetween for me. I'm tired of the life I'm living, always in fear. It's alright to be afraid, but not to the point where you're afraid to get out and do something that makes you feel better about yourself (which in your case would be working out).

Make it a daily habit at a certain time and keep to it.

Anyways, best of luck to your and your bf in finding a new place.

Thank you very much for reading my post. I really appreciate it and the support. I read your post too, by the way.

Seems like we might have things in common.

 

[evie]

I know this isn't the most current post but it was interesting to read all of your answers, so here are mine:

1. I live with my sister in a two bedroom apartment. My rent is 147.50 per week. We wish we had a dog.

2. I am unemployed. I have only ever had one job, the only thing that made it difficult was my SA. Once I got into the routine of working there, I quite enjoyed it and I think my self-esteem improved for a while, but after a few months they said I wasn't suitable for the role (I don't blame them because I know that I come off as a very reserved, brittle sort of person due to my SA).

I get approximately $480 per fortnight from Centrelink, I have been on Newstart Allowance (with the requirement to look for work), Newstart Allowance (exempted from looking for work for medical reasons), and Youth Allowance at various times. I have not been on the Disability Support Pension but my GP and Psychologist have recommended it.

Even though I am moderately left-wing, I feel ashamed about being given money rather than earning it myself because I was raised to be financially self-sufficient. My family say they all pay their taxes, and that I have a legitimate medical problem so I shouldn't feel bad, but I wonder if they would feel the same way about the issue if it was a complete stranger who had SA/Depression and not one of their loved ones.

3. My sister does most of our shopping when she's on her way home from work. Sometimes we both go to our local shops/shopping centre (I feel much less anxious in public when I am with the people I have known all my life).

4. I eat plenty of red meat, white meat, dairy, baked goods, pasta, fruit and vegetables, and junk food (especially sweet things because I have a major sweet tooth). I drink way too much tea and coffee. My sister likes cooking so we mostly have home-cooked meals, but we do have takeaway once a week or once a fortnight. I also go out occasionally with my sister and/or other family members to a restaurant or cafe.

5. I don't play any team sports. I used to be involved in horseriding but haven't done that in a long time because of my SA/Depression. I take public transport, and it's a 10-15 min walk down a steep hill to the nearest train station, and the same up the hill on the way home, so I get lots of incidental exercise. I am a really unflatteringly skinny girl with a rapid metabolism, so I really don't try to exercise all that much. I know I should probably eat some more high protein foods and get a personal trainer/gym to help me gain some weight instead of just feeling bad about it, but I'm too intimidated by that kind of person.

6. No, not really. I have had SA for at least six years (I'm not exactly sure how or when it first started), and have seen Psychologists and been prescribed Zoloft but I don't seem to have made any real progress. It sometimes seems as though I might be getting better, but I ultimately regress.

 

[agoraphobickatie]

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
i was living on my own with a boyfriend, paying my own bills etc, until the agoraphobia kicked in/he broke up with me.. i'm currently living with my dad and my pup, ha i don't pay rent

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?
i quit my job in may because i simply couldn't get there/stay there daily.. i've had serious trouble going anywhere outside of my home without experiencing intense anxiety =/ ..i'm lucky enough to have a great dad, he pays my car payment/car insurance and my mom usually covers my phone bill.. i know, i do realize how extremely blessed i am

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
actually.. my dad goes for the grocery/food shopping and all, but when i need chick items (make up, hair products, shit like that that i like to buy, haha) he or my mom will take me to the drug store down the street and i'll work to suck it up and get through it...

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?
hm.. sometimes yes, sometimes no.. i'm addicted to 'chick-fil-a'!! haha.. but i probably only eat it once or twice every few weeks.. i usually eat what's around the house, i'm an extremely picky eater, and since i haven't had the courage to brave the grocery store with my dad yet, i kind of eat generic things.. special k cereal, fettuccine noodles, cheesy rice and broccoli (those things are SO good, frozen from kroger, haha), chips, vanilla wafers and honey peanut butter (faaavorite snack! haha).. i eat a lot of random things, don't really do three meals, i just eat when i'm hungry.. i might average a 'meal' a day..

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
i get a little exercise here and there, when i'm feeling motivated enough.. i'd love to get into a routine where i do it every day, but i'm a lazy bum =/ heh.. i have a pretty badass exercise video i go with when i want to exercise.. i can't exactly take a stroll down the block without being afraid (not only because of anxiety, but afraid of getting picked up off the street or something, haha!)...

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?
i've had small improvements here and there.. i've only been doing therapy since june, and i was getting pretty good at taking daily trips out of the house, but i let myself slip and that's when i took a few steps backwards... working on the daily trip thing again!

 

[Luke1993]

okay ive tried posting in this topic numerous times but kept on withdrawing myself. ow I will finally post!

1. What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?

Live with my mum (dad left some time ago), one brother who just moved out, two sisters, they all have good lives and no mental or physical problems, which makes me very jealous.

2. We all have expenses and from my experience SA makes it sooo hard to work, how do you guys (and girls) support yourselves? What kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?

I have a problem in my hips so I get a little money from that, its very hard to find a job, I'm not very good at anything nobody ever responds to my job applications

3. Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?

No I don't but if I lived on my own I would

4. What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals?

Yeah I don't eat too well

5. Do you take/get much exercise? Even if it's just a run by yourself or a few push ups and sit-ups. Do you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?

I try to excercise but it's fairly difficult and sometimes I just don't feel like there's a point to it I'm very weak. If I was good at sports I would play them yes. I can walk with my hip problem but not run at all

6. Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?

A few weeks or so, then something happens so I go all the way back down lol

I tried to answer as best I can, thanks for an interesting survey!

 

[Bar-AKA-Redzer]

1. I dont live alone. You dont need to know how much rent we pay.

2. I dont work i used to.

3. Yes i shop for food and am fine with it.

4. Bad diet dont eat much and i hate fastfood

5. I exercise but hate sport so i dont play it.

6. I dont have SA/SP anymore.

 

[Lonelykitsune]

What is your home environment/living situation? Do you live alone? How much rent do you pay?
I live in a normal house with my family,nothing special.

hat kind of job do you have and how do you find it? Anyone on money from centrelink? How much do you get if you are?Whats centre link,is that like the dole?well im still in school but im terrified of when i will eventually have to find work.

Do you do your own grocery shopping? How do you manage it?
nah parents do,i go with them occasionly but i normally stay home.

What kind of diet do you have? Do you eat a lot of takeaway and 'drive-thru' meals
My diets ok i guess,mum makes my food and i dont eat a lot of junk(except holidays,granny owns a sweetshiop)once a week i get a chinese,rarly get othr fast food.

Do you take/get much exercise?o you play any sport? Would you if you felt ok about it?
NO,just walks with th dogs and climbing.I dont play any sport and evn if i felt ok i probably wouldnt,(laziness,its a curse, you know?)

Have you made ANY improvements? If so how long did they last?
No,im worse than ive ever been and getting worse