I don't want to let gas man in

[Whyohwhy99]

I don't want to let the gas man in. I have already cancelled twice. Every year I get warning letters.. I don't want to let anyone in. I don't want have any form of interaction. I don't want anyone physically in my house. I don't even know when they are coming. I just know its an afternoon appointment.

Several times I have said i have contacted my GP.

The more you open up to people about the issues you have, the more likely it is that situations like the one you're having today could be managed better to try and cut down on your anxiety.

I was in a very similar position a few months ago. But because I have support it was managed so that my stress was minimised. The check still had to be done. I still had some anxiety. But it was far less than when I was trying to tackle these issues on my own.

People cannot help you if they don't know you need it.

They will know, they most definitely will know. We don't know you from Adam and we can all see that you have a serious issue, there is no way that your children won't have picked up that you are not the same as their friend's mothers. They won't say anything to you, but you are deluding yourself.

I hope you’ve got through it ok OP.

I know how all of this feels, I was eventually diagnosed with agoraphobia and CPTSD. I can manage the symptoms nowadays.

I still don’t have people in the house, I got rescue pets instead x

OP being diagnosed and talking therapy saved me. You sadly do have to speak to a stranger and confide. But you do it online so you don’t have to leave your home. I hope you get the therapy you need, I still have really bad days but there’s good ones as well.

This is absolutely shit for your kids.
They don't know? Of course they do. There's a reason they've never asked to have someone round.

This is so awful I'm actually speechless. Those poor kids.

I am sure the landlord especially council or Housing Association would have reported their concerns to SS and she would have got support that way. It's a really odd way to live.

She would still need to have an annual gas safety check even if the gas was isolated, as there is a live gas line going to the property .

She would have to remove the main gas pipes and supply going to the property if she chooses to live without gas as a considerable cost to herself (multiple thousands)

There supposed to physically see the meter it used to be once a year
to ensure it hasn’t be removed or tampered with
they can get a court order to force entry

It's really unlikely and would take time, I work in the energy industry. Obviously it's less than ideal and really OP would be better off with smart meters outside so she never has to deal with it again, but she can put it off for now if it's just a reading.

Yes they would they have a legal obligation to to check it I’m surprised you didn’t know that working in the industry
also to request it to be moved outside you’d have to pay and it’s not cheap

If you blow up your own home, it's your own fault.

When you rent, it's the landlord's responsibility to make sure that the gas installation at their property isn't going to blow up your home, or your neighbours'.

Reading your posts and how difficult you find it to have tradesmen etc in your home really reminded of an autistic client I worked with for a year or so.
Appointments had to be at a specific time, not (eg) between 11 - 1, and they used to really freak out (and get very angry) if anyone was late or had to cancel.

It might be worth mentioning this to your GP as a possibility. I didn't have any difficulty getting referred for an autism assessment when I told them my psychotherapist had recommended it.

What do you want from this post OP? You don't seem to want suggestions, what's the point of this post?

You might not use your hob but they still need to know it's safe. Mine ignites itself so I wouldn't need a lighter. All modern hobs do.

What did you use before air fryers were invented?

But that's just my trivial question. I'm relieved that you're seeing a doctor. Have you thought about writing down all the difficulties you have, so that you can hand that over? I'm guessing that you'll struggle with talking to him/her, and as making this appointment and actually attending is going to be huge for you, you don't want to miss anything and have to go through it again.

And please, please reconsider your views on medication. I have a family member whose life has been transformed by anti-anxiety medication. You deserve a better life, and your kids deserve a mum who can live a full life with them, rather than leaning on them

I will.

Fire prevention? Not only gas appliances cause fires, increasingly chargers, batteries, vapes even your airfryer could. You are not obliged to communicate with them , just let them in, show them the boiler and hob and busy yourself with something else. Do you have an oven or gas fire too? They hand over the paperwork and leave.

You are deluding yourself that your children don't know that you are using them as a shield. Why do you think they've never asked to have friends over? You may think you're hiding your disability to them and others, but you're not. It would be much much better for you and your children if you were to be completely honest with those around you who it matters to. You need to tell your GP, even if you don't know why you're doing the things you do. And then you need to let your GP inform Social Services so that you and your family get all the help you deserve and need. It will make all of your lives so much easier. I wish you all the best.

You don’t have to talk to them or stay with them you know - just open the door, show them where the boiler meter or whatever is then go to another room.

I am glad you are taking steps to get help from a GP, this is no way to live your life plus for the sake of your children who will know this is not right.
Apart from the mention of an adult child, I don't know the ages, but the example you give of if someone asks for directions they automatically step in and answer for you, shows they are covering.
Children are very perceptive and also very good at protecting those around them.

Try and look at it as a positive experience ? It could be a ' she' who is really nice and friendly/ chatty ? Easy for me to say I know .