Struggling with the urge to run away and cut off

[NonePlusFive]

I know it sounds childish, it's an urge that's never left. When things get overwhelming or too intense, I start by cutting contact with the people I have limited contact with, stop doing things and then spontaneously I go. Sometimes a trip, sometimes a complete life change. Anyone else get these urges or act on them?
On the one hand I crave stability but I can't seem to sustain any kind of a life, it just doesn't work.

This time I have too much invested to just up and leave. I can't do it and I feel trapped and scared. I feel incapable of speaking to anyone about it. I can't even get away for a few days.

I'm trying to be calm and rationalise. I think probably the thoughts I have about hurting myself are part of it, I guess in a way it's a fight or flight thing, just that it goes on for weeks or longer... can anyone relate? And any advice to get through it?

I have no advice to give but wanted to say this is exactly how I feel. I think it is a combination of depression and anxiety. I have urges to just up and leave, I think about it all the time but I can't do it. I also cut myself off from other people and stop doing things...it's a viscious circle

Similar experience over many years. For me, I've realised that it is part of my ASD, and is related to a 'shutdown' response to extreme anxiety. As you said, flight or fight. This realisation has helped, so even though the impulse still arises, I understand what is at the root of it, and know it always passes. Still deeply distressing and unpleasant though.

I think it would help you to reflect on what is going on at the point in your life when the urge to run arises. If it is anxiety or depression based, then you could start some preventative self-help measures to protect yourself. If it is more ASD in origin, I would really like to know if anybody has found anything to help.

I feel like this too.

I've never found any real solutions, only trying to manage sensory stuff as best I can so the overall stress burden is less. I also love to hear ideas if anybody has them.

Yes I do this too. I feel an overwhelming urge to leave my town for a while because I can't cope. It's nothing to feel ashamed or bad about - it's your way of coping. Usually I talk myself down but it does take a while.

Yes it is horrible.