To not answer the door?

[DontCallMePeanut]

Someone has, not long ago, banged on my front door, almost offsetting a panic attack. AIBU to not open the door when, firstly, I'm not expecting any visitors and secondly, they bang that loudly on the door that I jumped half a mile out of my skin?

I'm being a paranoid nutjob, aren't I?

What were you afraid would happen OP if you opened the door?

Valium, not afraid of anything. However, I suffer from anxiety (along with some post traumatic stress symptoms) and loud noises tend to send me into panic mode. Even the damn electric meter can offset me if it clicks over while I'm awake and in the same room.

I figure anyone ringing my doorbell when I'm not expecting them to is being entirely unreasonable in the first place. Anyone I want to see would have my phone number and ring first.

I never open the door unless it is someone I am expecting, and anyone coming over rings or texts first if I open to a cold caller its a coincidence.

This is ever since I had someone hammer on the front door then push past me into my hallway to sell me double glazing!!

Needless to say I called the police.

PTSD is awful, you have my utmost sympathy OP.

What if it's the postman and you need to sign for something?
What if it's the neighbour asking to borrow something/tell you something etc
What if it's a really good mate/family member just in the area dropping in to say hi.

I get the disdain for door to door cold callers, I do, but I just say not interested. and shut door.

the end.

My bell usually rings about 3x a day, usually the postman/couriers once twice with something for me or to ask if I will take something in for neighbours. Next door who usually need their spare key at least once a week, various kids calling for ds, and if I am lucky a friend dropping by for a chat and coffee.

thestringcheese, my family and friends both know that I won't answer the door unless they warn me that they're visiting first. My sil found that out the hard way.

My neighbours know I'm usually out this time of the day. I'm only at home today cos DS was ill yesterday, so off nursery. As for the postman, if I miss him (as I usually do, with being out) and I need to sign for something, he can always leave the "we called but you were out" card. I have this all sussed...

Well actually it was ME that called round earlier - I had a HUGE cake to share with you - too bad you didn't open the door

stringcheese anyone who knows me knows that they need to call or text before coming else they don't get in.

If I have ordered something I will be expecting it so will answer.

stringcheese anyone who knows me knows that they need to call or text before coming else they don't get in.

If I have ordered something I will be expecting it so will answer.

tut, valium, you should have messaged me on here!

Anyway, I'm on a diet... You keep the cake, m'dear

thanks dooin!!

You don't mean "offsetting", you mean sort of the opposite.

What's the word I'm looking for, MsPlaced? It eludes me at the moment.

DH had a "are your parents there?" salesman when he was mid twenties and we had 2 children. Never heard him sound so insulted. Salesman was onto a loser after that, he could have been selling £20 for 20p and he still wouldn't have bought.

precipitating? triggering?

I just can't imagine being so rigid about this kind of thing. My SIL would think I was barking if she knocked and I didn't answer as she hadn't called first. Maybe it's because I'm Australian, I think we're a bit more relaxed about visitors.

you probably meant 'setting off'

Anyway, its entirely up to you whether you want to answer your own front door or not. If you're prone to panic attacks and loud noises trigger, def shouldn't answer door when you're upset.

(stringcheese - I can't imagine anything about having PTSD but can see why the OP asks people to advise of visits beforehand)

Yes sorry of course anyone suffering PTSD I understand not answering door.