I'm scared of being home alone

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Even though I am 14, I am scared to be home alone, even if it is during the day. I am fine when I am babysitting kids at other peoples houses, but if I am at home alone for more than 5 minutes, I start to freak out and get really scared and stressed. How can I overcome my fear of being home alone?

Hey there, hunnie! I’m sorry to hear about your sitch. It’s totally understandable to be nervous about staying home alone, but if it’s got ya stressed, something needs to be switched up. Here are some tips to help you keep your head and stay calm.

Here’s the thing – you’re incredibly safe in your own home. With the windows and doors locked, day or night, you are most likely going to be fine. Risky actions like staying out late in a sketchy part of town or ignoring safety precautions like crosswalks are what’ll get you in trouble, not reading in your bed. If you’ve taken all the safety measures you can, there is very little chance of anything going wrong. Although these facts might be hard to stomach, the truth is that you aren’t in any danger.

Since the real issue here is your anxiety and not your actual safety, the most important thing is to not freak out. Once the fear starts, it can be difficult to stay calm. Take deep breaths and try to focus on doing other activities. Practice piano or study some Spanish – anything to keep your mind busy. Watch a funny movie or call up a friend to pass the time with some pseudo-company. If you can enjoy your relaxing time at home, you’ll forget about your phobias and just have a good time. 

Talk to a parent or even a therapist about why staying home alone scares you so much. Your mom or pop might be able to switch around some scheduling to minimize your time at your house, or be able to calm you down. Just remember, you have nothing to be scared of. Good luck, chica!

BY SARAH GOLDBERG ON 8/27/2011 12:00:00 AM

POSTED IN self-esteem, fear