“My anxiety stops me from leaving my house…”

“My anxiety stops me from leaving my house, meeting people, socialising and communicating with friends. I tend to be in solitude most times. I do want to be able to meet up with my friends, go out have fun, go holiday and everything else like that, just like normal people but my anxiety makes me fear being around people. When I’m surrounded by others, I start to get panic attacks and quickly have to rush home; I feel trapped. I just want to be like normal human beings who can be around others, their family & friends and have fun in the company of people. I feel so alone so many times. However, being at uni and living with flatmates has kind of helped me take that first step.”