I am currently seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist for post-traumatic stress. I also have a long history of depression and agoraphobia. I have largely avoided `non-essential' activities since I was a kid and grew into an adult whose life could be summed up as `eat, drink, work, sleep'. My psychiatrist wants me to find an activity to do purely for fun; something I do not because it *must* be done (eg clean the toilet, cook dinner, go to work), but because I *want* to do it. I find myself with two blocks here.
Firstly, I am not well located for a wide range of activities. I live in a regional area where the activities are, essentially, drink at the pub, play team sport, or drink at the pub (probably all of the above and in that order). I am not a drinker, and my lack of any hand-eye coordination or balance rules out sport (even if the idea of hours surrounded by a group of people did not terrify me).
Secondly, I have no idea where to even start. As I said, I do things based on need, not desire. I do not like my work, I do not enjoy the food I eat (severe allergies significantly limit my options), I merely drink water (allergies, again) and I suffer insomnia (so even the sleep is not enjoyable). I do them merely because they are essential to live. The concept of doing something purely for sake of it is quite foreign to me, coupled with the extreme stress that the mere though of stepping outside and interacting with people causes.
I know my psychiatrist is intending for me to ultimately get involved in something that would result in some degree of social interaction, but there is also no expectation that I will suddenly `get over' my issues either. I guess I need to find something you can start with little interaction and built up from there. Budget is also a concern, with my treatment eating up most of my income. I have only been drawing blanks here, so could use some advice on where to even start.
EDIT: spelling.
Firstly, I am not well located for a wide range of activities. I live in a regional area where the activities are, essentially, drink at the pub, play team sport, or drink at the pub (probably all of the above and in that order). I am not a drinker, and my lack of any hand-eye coordination or balance rules out sport (even if the idea of hours surrounded by a group of people did not terrify me).
Secondly, I have no idea where to even start. As I said, I do things based on need, not desire. I do not like my work, I do not enjoy the food I eat (severe allergies significantly limit my options), I merely drink water (allergies, again) and I suffer insomnia (so even the sleep is not enjoyable). I do them merely because they are essential to live. The concept of doing something purely for sake of it is quite foreign to me, coupled with the extreme stress that the mere though of stepping outside and interacting with people causes.
I know my psychiatrist is intending for me to ultimately get involved in something that would result in some degree of social interaction, but there is also no expectation that I will suddenly `get over' my issues either. I guess I need to find something you can start with little interaction and built up from there. Budget is also a concern, with my treatment eating up most of my income. I have only been drawing blanks here, so could use some advice on where to even start.
EDIT: spelling.
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