Unexpected visitors?

[ofwarren]

The door just knocked and it was the building inspector from the housing association wanting to have a look at the house. It's a new build.
Anyone else really struggle with unexpected visitors?
I hate people in my house at the best of times, but people just knocking and then coming in without me having notice just tips me over the edge.
I'm now at the start of shut down where everything is too bright and I need headphones on to block out all other sound. Clenching my teeth like mad too. Honestly, things like this really ruin my day.

I cannot deal with unexpected visitors. I had a knock at door fee weeks ago. There was noise in the street so I plucked up courage to answer as I thought the lady might just be quickly going to explain roadworks. But no, she was selling something. So I had her talking, and the background grinding noise. I put both hands over my ears and was shifting side to side. I honestly thought she would just leave. She didn't so I had to keep repeating something like 'I need you to go' but she wouldn't and kept asking if she could just take my details. Eventually I shut the door. Then spent hours berating myself for answering in the first place (I'd normally just ignore ot shout No Thanks!) And also telling myself for not just shutting the door earlier. Therefore leaving myself feeling exposed and observed. So sets me back days and I have to put plans in place to try and stop it happening again.

I've been off the radar for a little while with friends and family. Beat friend understands as I text to explain I'm in shutdown. I do have one friend who in dreading might just 'pop by' to check on me. I have something ready on my phone to text them if they do.

This is what's on my phone and I will text it to anyone I know if they try to knock. I'm very literal so I'd need them to know that's the definition of how I feel atm.

Ring doorbell has helped me as able to answer asking Yes? Then No thanks as I said in last post. If someone needed to do an inspection I'd say I'm not very well, you can make an appt and I can have my father here to deal.

Bloody minefield of scenarios

Rainbow That woman at your door must have been awful! I feel anxious just reading about the road works too and her still talking at you. I'd have reacted just the same.
My husband is in and he answered the door today thankfully, but I still HATE having someone in.

I moved away from family around 10 years ago and I don't have any friends so no worry about those type of visits.

I have been honest with my housing association about my autism.

I am in the process of getting a lot of work done i.e. new kitchen, heating and other repairs and I also can't cope with unannounced visits.

At first they said they couldn't give me timed visits rather than just turning up but when the housing officer intervened they could suddenly accommodate me. She will also come round and talk to me when tradespeople are visiting to talk to them and help with my anxiety.

My friends and family know not to pop round unannounced.

The ring doorbell seems like a great idea too.

I can answer the door during the day as it's usually the postman or the parcel man. We don't get any visitors, but I don't answer the door at night to anyone and dh answers if it's someone going door to door, although we don't get many of those.

If I'm not sure who's knocking I'll usually freeze or go straight upstairs to the back bedroom and close the door.

I only answer the door to 'known people' after looking out of the window to determine who is there.

Postman - I can cope with that.

Parcel delivery - okay if I'm expecting a parcel.

Friends/family - know not to call round without prior warning.

Anyone else/people I don't recognise when I look out of the window - the front door remains firmly closed.

I really struggle with this too.

That freezing feeling when the door goes is all too familiar.