To not want to go out

[Purplecarrots]

Sorry this may turn into a long message (possibly with a fair few typos).
Ok so here goes (it’s taking a lot of courage to type this).

With recent rallies/protests etc, I’ve seem to be experiencing excessive social anxiety. I worry before leaving the house, and stress when I’m out. I can’t lock my kids indoors all day/everyday (7 and 2 year olds).
However I am (visibilily) a Muslim woman. Initially I told myself I was being silly, but as time goes on, and the more I hear about protests/increasingly numbers of EDL, I am becoming more and more paranoid.
I don’t want to end up a hermit, but even going to supermarkets is proving difficult. Today, for example, oldest wanted to go somewhere for lunch, we chose a cafe, and all I was thinking is, hurry up kids let’s go back home.

It may sound silly, but I can’t explain. It doesn’t help that I’ve lost touch with many school and uni friends (Feel like I’m the only one who moved millions of miles away).

I guess I’m posting this to see wat others have to say, is it bad of me to try stay in as much as possible and keep kids in when they’re home?

Thank you for reading

I think it would be best if you booked some therapy for yourself. Your anxiety is affecting your life and could have an effect on your dc too.

I think you need counselling. Please don’t become isolated. Get some help before this becomes overwhelming.

Please don’t think that everyone has it in for Muslims! There are a lot of dickheads about who seem to have found their voices lately, but as a white woman I know if I saw you being harassed in any way, I’d be right by your side defending you, and I know I’m not the only one.

Most people are good... black, white, religious, non-religious and everything in between. Don’t let the bastards win.

I think it probably is bad for you to stay in, the more you do it the harder it’ll be to get back outside. Could you try to go to organised things like classes or toddler groups?

Do you have any friends that you can go out with? Someone who'd understand how you feel? It's not a long term solution but it might help with the anxiety in the short term. I agree with Nap Queen that it'd be worth looking into some therapy to help with your anxiety. I can totally understand why you'd feel anxious given the current political climate, I find it truly awful and can't imagine how much worse it is for a Muslim woman at the moment.

Hi OP, do you have friends nearby who are also Muslim? Why don't you invite them round for tea/coffee, then suggest going places with them.

. It sounds difficult. I would definitely recommend therapy. As others have suggested would you feel more comfortable going out with a trusted friend? I would keep trying to head out, even if it's just short trips at times of the day you feel most comfortable.

Thank you so much for the replies. I will definitely get help. Also, thank you for suggestions, I will be making more of an effort to go out with people, and try to take part in activities/events taking place in the community.
Once again, thank you so much xx

I agree going out with others, maybe sticking to a few places initially will help you build confidence. And some sort of help with your anxiety.

Also to echo previous posters, there are many more decent people than the loud mouth idiots on social media etc. Hope you feel better soon.

Your children are too young to be let out to play on their own anyway, but you can't keep them in all the time. They'll turn into nervous wrecks, scared of their own shadow. And anyway it's unlikely you would be the subject of random attacks. Do you live in an area where you're particularly at risk?. Try to work hard to overcome your fears and let the kids lead a normal life as much as possible.