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Extreme anxiety
I can't step out of my house. I can't speak to anyone on the phone. It's been this way for months now. I want to get better but I can't physically do anything about it. I'm too scared and ashamed. How do I get better?
Answers (22)
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Hello there
I am clinical psychologist with 6 years of exp.
Seems to affect your daily functioning. Its better to consult and we will do a case work up to know the underlying issue in detail. Therapy will help u navigate through this problem.
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There seems to be severe anxiety with depression.
It needs to be treated asap otherwise it may get complicated.
It can be well treated with counseling sessions and homeopathic medicine effectively and without any side effects.
It needs to be treated in a holistic approach for complete recovery.
You need an expert Psychologist who is a good homeopathic physician.
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I have been working as a Homeopathic Psychiatrist and Counseling psychologist for the last 17 years of experience. You can contact me through an online appointment for further assistance.
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Consult
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connect with me now
Health Tips
counseling
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This looks like anxiety with avoidance (possibly social anxiety). The fear and shame are symptoms — not your weakness. It is treatable.
Next Steps
• Start very small exposure (stand near the door → step outside for 1 minute → gradually increase).
• Practice slow breathing daily.
• Book an online session with a psychologist (CBT works very well).
• Consult a psychiatrist if symptoms feel unmanageable.
Health Tips
Don’t wait to feel ready. Take tiny steps consistently — progress comes from small repeated efforts.
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Extreme anxiety can sometimes make even small actions feel impossible — this is not weakness, but a sign that the mind is overwhelmed and needs care.
Next Steps
You should surely meet an experienced counselling psychologist. It's really important.
Health Tips
Try one small step: focus on slow breathing — gently inhale through your nose for a few seconds and exhale slowly through your mouth for longer. Doing this for a few minutes can help your body feel safer and calmer.
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Do consult with a psychologist
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Consult with psychologist and take therapies you will be fine
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Connect
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Hi
The 5-Minute Rule:
· Give yourself full permission to feel this emotion intensely, but set a timer for 5 minutes. When the timer goes off, you will actively choose a grounding technique to help you move forward.
Change Your Container:
· Your environment can hold your emotion. If you're overwhelmed in one room, move to another. Go outside for 60 seconds. Sit in the bathroom. Change the container to disrupt the emotional state.
Next Steps
session wise discussion
Health Tips
"Be not Afraid of anything. You will do Marvelous work. it is Fearlessness that brings Heaven even in a moment"
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I hear how paralysing this feels for you. Seems like something about stepping outside feels difficult or maybe even threatening now. Many people who have experienced severe stress(or ongoing) would be impacted by it this way. It's not uncommon for the body to manifest a specific anxiety towards something that it may have made an association to. The body learns everything even to fear something neutral depending upon how it makes meaning. That's understandable and even workable.
Now it may seem impossible to get through this and it may take some work with a good therapist but it's possible to recover from this and feel better.
Next Steps
consult with me and we both can work towards a treatment plan for your healing journey.
Health Tips
reach me on : eight three one seven six three four three two six
insta : SereneMindPlace
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Consultation with me is advised
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Hi
It seems like u may be suffering from some form of phobias. However nothing can be said without a proper psychiatric evaluation by a clinical psychologist like myself.
Next Steps
Consult a clinical psychologist asap
Health Tips
Symptoms may worsen if left untreated
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I understand your problem, we can have a consultation and discuss more and coping mechanisms for the same.
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It is important to know that there is absolutely no shame in what you are going through; feeling paralyzed by extreme anxiety is a real health struggle, not a personal failure. When anxiety lasts for a long time, your mind and body naturally begin to avoid things like going outside or answering the phone as a way to protect you from fear. Wanting to get better is a powerful first step toward recovery, and you deserve kindness and patience as you navigate this.
Counseling can help by meeting you exactly where you are, even through online therapy from the comfort of your own home. A counselor can help you break down overwhelming fears into small, manageable goals, such as standing by your gate for two minutes or sending a short voice note instead of making a call. Because anxiety is treatable, professional support provides the tools to gradually retrain your mind, helping you realize that you don’t have to feel this way permanently.
Next Steps
try counseling
Health Tips
consult
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Sabse pehle — aap jo feel kar rahi hain usme sharm ki koi baat nahi hai. Ye extreme anxiety / social anxiety response ho sakta hai. Jab anxiety long time tak rehti hai, body aur mind dono avoid karna shuru kar dete hain — isliye ghar se bahar jana ya phone par baat karna bhi bahut scary lagta hai.
Good thing ye hai ki aap better hona chahti hain — ye recovery ka first step hai.
Abhi ke liye small steps try karein (bilkul chote goals):
Pehle sirf ghar ke gate tak 2 minute khadi ho jayein.
Phir next day 5 minute balcony ya bahar.
Phone call nahi kar pa rahi hain to pehle 10 sec ka voice note try karein kisi trusted person ko.
Next Steps
Agar ye months se chal raha hai to online therapy bhi start kar sakti hain (ghar se hi). Anxiety treatable hai, aap permanently aise nahi rahengi.
Health Tips
Agar aap chahein to hum structured plan ke saath is par kaam kar sakte hain. You are not alone in this.
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Hi, from your question I can understand that you might have faced any traumatic event in recent past or something has contributed to your anxiety and numbness.
Please consult a therapist and talk. You need to address those issues to get better. A professional can help you to get better.
For the time being, try breathing exercise at least twice a day.
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Hi, Consult a psychologist
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Hi
When you feel unable to step outside or even speak on the phone for months, it usually means your anxiety has become so intense that your nervous system is living in constant fear. The shame you feel is a symptom, not your identity. Avoidance gives short-term relief but slowly makes the fear stronger. The fact that you want to get better tells me there is strength inside you, even if it feels buried right now.
You don’t have to take a big step first. Start extremely small—sit near the door for two minutes, stand outside for thirty seconds, send one short text to someone safe. Tiny exposures rebuild confidence. But this level of fear and isolation deserves guided support. Please seek professional help, even online therapy if stepping out feels impossible. You do not have to fight this alone. Take therapy. You can connect with me on nine two six six seven two six zero six five.
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Dr. Apurva Singh (PhD)
Rehabilitation Therapist
3 yrs exp
Delhi
First, I want to really appreciate you for writing this here. When anxiety makes it hard to even step outside or speak on the phone, sharing your feelings publicly takes a lot of courage. That already tells me a part of you wants to heal.
What you’re describing sounds overwhelming, but it is treatable. You are not weak or broken anxiety can become this intense when it has been building for months.
Next Steps
A gentle next step could be starting online therapy, since stepping out feels too difficult right now. You can begin from the safety of your home. If you’re comfortable, you can consult me for online sessions via Practo and we can work at your pace.
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Ms. Neha Sachdev
Psychologist
11 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi
What has made you so close to yourself? Do u feel lonely?? What makes you so demotivated?? What is making you so ashamed??
Happy to help. You will feel safe
Contact me at eight three six eight zero five three seven one zero
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Ms. Smriti
Counselling Psychologist
18 yrs exp
Bangalore
Connect with psychiatrist and psychologist
Next Steps
consult
Health Tips
connect
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Ms. Pooja Gupta
Psychologist
9 yrs exp
Delhi
Hi,
I'm really sorry you're feeling this way. It takes a lot of courage to open up about your struggles, and even just expressing these feelings is a important step. Even if you feel trapped and scared right now, please know that help is still possible and you are not alone. You might consider starting small by writing down your feelings or talking to a mental health professional through online therapy or helplines, which can be a safer way to seek support without stepping out. Remember, healing takes time, and it's okay to take things one step at a time. Be gentle with yourself and recognize that your feelings are valid. Reaching out for help, even in small ways, is a brave and powerful step toward feeling better. You deserve support and kindness, and there are people who want to help you through this.
Next Steps
Consult
Health Tips
seek help
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Ms. Rizwana Parvin T M
Counselling Psychologist
7 yrs exp
Coimbatore
The root cause of why you fear and what you are ashamed of should be understood... Consult a counselling psychologist to get better. Take care of yourself.
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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.