Close personal friends can be a wonderful gift. When you can find one or two people you can trust (and trust is not easy for me) you feel connected to humanity. Connection with others very hard for people with PTSD.

Friends may break your trust, but that also happens in non-PTSD friendships. We will have panic attacks, but we can fight the panic attacks. I like to win the fight.

I do prefer my own company and can become agoraphobic. Sometimes it is hard, but I make the effort to go out and be social. For me work is a safe place and gives me some self confidence. Work makes me deal with others on a non-personal level.

Take your time and when you are ready to meet others, you will. When you do go out, make a plan and stick to it. I have safety plans for different situations I may run into. Above all, keep yourself safe.

Hugs,

vst