I've noticed that it's so hard texting people back. I see they text me but I'm too emotionally and mentally drained to respond. I haven't responded to a few of my friend's messages in days or weeks. A friend and I made plans to hang out. Haven't talked to him in months (because of school/life). We had a date and time set. But he canceled on me the day before because it took me 2 days to respond to one of his messages. "Whatever I'm making other plans, because obviously you aren't interested in hanging out". No, I'm just struggling! Other friends text me repeatedly, and give sassy remarks when I finally respond. "Well I prefer my friends who ACTUALLY take the time to message me. I don't need people who don't care in my life". I still care about you, I'm just struggling!! After awhile I become embarrassed that I didn't respond sooner, so then I ignore them further. I've been ignoring a long distance friend for 6 months because I'm so embarrassed, he texts and calls me at least 4 times a month. I've made plans to lie about losing my phone, or having it hard reset. Something stupid like that My therapist (former, he was an intern and had to move. Miss him!!) Said that I am allowed to take time off of texting, and to go back in and explain that I wasn't ready to text yet. But not a lot of people understand that. Texting and calling are very stressful. It leads to guilt, annoyance, anxiety, and frustration. But this is one of the things I plan on working on!!

I don’t want to judge your friends, but I really don’t like the reactions they are giving you! Maybe I just have a lot of friends with their own social anxieties, even with those of us we trust to share it all. Maybe I’m just a little older and the rest of my friends realize how busy life gets too. But I really truly wish for you some understanding on their part. YOU ARE DOING NOTHING WRONG! Take time for yourself, detach from your phone when you need to. If you find you’re detaching as part of an OCD compulsion, then fight it in baby steps, just like all the other ERP practice. But taking time to breathe before doing something that makes you anxious is OK! I’m glad to hear you are planning on working on it! Feeling less guilty about something you really shouldn’t be made over which to feel guilty might help your progress. Anytime anyone hermit shames you, know I’m telling you it’s ok! I’m your cheerleader! And if you’re working on answering a text or call for YOUR OWN PROGRESS, not just to please someone, know I’m cheering you on even more! And if you like dogs, you can totally ask the universe and my dog will send you a gentle hug and be there with you in spirit while you fight. And he’ll be there if others make you feel down about the process too! So much comfort and strength your way! And so much understanding sent to all your friends in hopes that they’ll start to get it! 💜💪🏼💡

Is it possible for you to let them know that you really care, you're just struggling right now? This sounds like withdrawing and isolating. I'm guilty of it too.

All i can say is that I have been doing this for 3 weeks