SteelMaiden wrote:
Thanks all.
I need to learn enough independent living skills and communication skills to be able to move out of supported housing and into independent living first. I have severe Asperger's, schizophrenia and severe OCD which make that hard.
The closest I can get is locking my bedroom door and putting my ear defenders on, or going to the wooded parts of the park; however my paranoia prevents me from walking in such parks alone.
Maiden, just keep on working on things. Getting older doesn't do good things to the body, but I've found it does mean I have gotten a lot better at living; it's a matter of experience. High intelligence is a huge plus in this respect.
As far as being afraid to walk alone in parks, I'm not sure I would call that paranoia. As I understand it, paranoia is the unreasonable fear that something bad may happen. When walking alone in a park, bad things can and do happen, even if it's not common.
People who know me in person are horrified that I live where I do all alone. Since I live so far out that cell phone service is iffy at best, if something were to happen, it could very well be the end of me. I'm aware of this and have made a rational calculation that it is worth it.
Maybe you are in better shape than you realize.
Best of luck to you, and if I can be of assistance, just PM me.