Peacesoul, I understand what you're saying. It is very hard that the cause may well be toxic, but there is the balance of trying not to allow it to completely dictate .... which is very hard because of the way it can puppet our feelings.

I think it's great if people can push themselves out there a bit more than they would like when suffering this at the sametime. That's admirable.

For me? Going out and trying to do stuff did not make these feelings die down. No matter how hard I tried and believe me, I did and social outings etc were very painful for me and then blaming myself because of my anxious behaviours too and were never something I looked back fondly on and often put me off even more.

When I feel better and more able, then my outings become something to feel good about and remember fondly....I don't like to push myself in my toxic sick state to prove to myself "I went out"....but I agree with you that certain efforts must be made somehow!

I think it is different for everybody what may help them. Isolating oneself is obviously not the answer, but it's often the nature of the beast with these things. Not to use it as a lifelong excuse for doing "nothing", but it does bring understanding.

Good on you for pushing yourself out there regardless and thankfully that did help you and probably would for others too who took that advice. For me, I must be in a better state, I know myself well with this thing. Admittedly I could make more efforts re the outside world a bit more, when I feel a wee bit better.

But when I feel much better, well....it comes naturally. If only that could be everyday!!! A little better is fine, but the rest of me has to do the pushing.

I've always had the tendency there, which may have been life long mercury (highly possible), but I always still went out to some extent. It was only when i got REALLY ill that I withdrew almost completely. But then who wants to go out when they feel sick? Not many people do! even those of normal health who just feel unwell don't usually want to do much.

So it's not just the anxiety side of it, it is still the rest of it.