Thread Topic: I've had undiagnosed social anxiety for many years
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PeoplePhobic
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-05 07:56:02 |
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I was a shy kid, but by high school the full-blown social anxiety was pretty hard to live with. I just really couldn't even talk to people, except for a few friends. Public speaking was a nightmare. It didn't get any easier in college. I feel like I missed out on a lot of the college experience because of it. =( To this day I still struggle with it. Part of the reason I never got help is because the thought of calling up a shrink, making an appointment and actually going there to talk about it is terrifying due to the nature of the problem. I've always just lived with it rather than getting help. I think anti-anxiety drugs could help, but I've heard both good and bad things about them. Anyone else have a thought on that? If I DO get the courage to get help for this, I want it to be worth it. |
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Unanswered Thread: No Subject posted by alwaysknew 3 hours ago |
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disorderguy
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: Admin |
2009-05-05 13:57:19 |
| I know the feeling. Social anxiety is my problem, too. I've chosen to live with it so far, and I manage to cope. I've even married, held down a job, and everything. Yet most social interactions are terrifying, and even answering the phone can be stressful. It's really no way to live. | |
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Justme
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-05 20:09:47 |
| I can totally feel you both on that, i have social anxiety too, hate every form of public speaking, infact a form anxiety attack sets in, and also answering the phone or even making calls to people i'm not use to is hard for me. Scared of meeting people because i'm terribly shy and i feel i won't just talk right or have the right things to say. It's being so hard living this way.I really want to snap out of it and be normal. | |
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Shan
Joined: May 7, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-07 03:06:47 |
| Hi everybody. I have most definitely had this disorder since childhood and I feel like I have missed out on a lot of life because of it. It does seem to have improved with age though. | |
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PeoplePhobic
Joined: May 5, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-07 09:14:33 |
| I feel the same way, Justme. But it's not just worrying I won't have the right things to say. I know from experience that my mind blanks out and there are awkward silences. I think I actually make other people feel uncomfortable. This is probably one of the worst aspects of my problem, because if I only managed to have things to say maybe I could make progress against this. | |
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Triple Threat
Joined: May 7, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-07 17:41:31 |
| I just learned the term "avoidant personality disorder". I've known for many years about my depression and slight anxiety, however, the anxiety has gotten worse. It is a vicious cycle. Because I am so uncomfortable in my own skin, I go to great lenghts to avoid people, even those I know. Most assume that I'm a snob or think I'm better than they are. IF THEY ONLY KNEW... | |
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anthony44
Joined: May 7, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-07 17:54:37 |
| social anxiety has taken over me and what little of my life ive lived..im 24 years old i feel like i havent accomplished anything. when i go on the train i feel people are looking at me mainly because im overweight i hate company over my house. i dont know how too interact with the opposite sex because of fear of rejection. people think im a mean person all of the girlfriends ive ever had have been long distance. i see the few friends ive had progressing in life but for me the years keep passing by and i feel the same as i felt since i was 15. | |
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natalieeee
Joined: May 12, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-12 10:18:33 |
| i can relate to these comments although i dont think i have it as bad as you lot. I dont mind going out with my friends but sometimes i worry about what i say incase they laugh at me or when im in college and im in the canteen i feel that everyone is looking at me and i get really nervous. I never know how to carry myself because i have bad nerves. I have more confidence over social networking sites but if i was too talk to a boy in person i would shake and get nervous, especially ones i like. Boys always meet up with me and then reject me once they see what im like, yes im abit crazy coz my friends make me like that but sometimes people think im strange and its just because i dont know how to carry myself. There was this one guy who i really liked and i thought he liked me, we met up and after it he went out with another girl. its happened to me constantly for the past few years. Its unbelievable how many times its happened and how many boys have rejected me.. but aww well just have to get on with it. i also feel that most boys want me for one thing but never see me as the relationship type... why me :'( | |
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shyguy
Joined: May 13, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-13 19:02:08 |
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shyguy
Joined: May 13, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-13 19:09:34 |
| I have been so very shy ever since I can remember. I can remember it starting at a very young age. It really is a like a handicap and something I would not wish on anyone. I don't think people in general really realize how bad it can be. I can't meet people, date, or even talk on the phone without great fear. I shy away from any social events at all. The social anxiety disorder thing sounds like a new thing but sounds like shy to me. There are those. It is just really frustrating and depressing always avoiding people, going the other way if I see someone coming, avoiding stores or going anywhere. Is nice to find others that can relate:-) Have a nice day! | |
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grr33
Joined: May 14, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-14 09:03:18 |
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Mine started when I was around 10years old. I think I was bullied or just took the bulleing harder than other kids. I'm pretty ok now days with talking to guys, or much better then before anyways. But girls have been a big no-no. I lost my virginity last year at 22years old, slept with her a couple of days, always drunk. But it highed my self asteem a little, so now I atleast have the ability to answer propaply if a girl ask me something - and not just shut up and beeing wierd. Well I'm getting slowley better at this, so hope this test won't change that, so I don't think in a social situation, I can't do this, I got Very High at the test. Some years ago a was getting depressed, and then did many tests at the net that told me I was depressed, and that made me more depressed and so on and so on. So don't put to much focus in these tests!! |
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big river bob
Joined: May 14, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-14 18:22:30 |
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I actually work as an actor but sometimes feel so awkward as myself and still cringe when i think of embarrassing events from decades ago! good luck all. My only advice is rent the movie "What about Bob?" a sense of humor about it really helps. |
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Saoirse
Joined: May 18, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-18 08:03:38 |
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Hey PeoplePhobic, i'm not an expert but, during my studies of psychology, anti-anxiety drugs aren't brilliant. most of them come from a group called benzodiazepines, they don't target the problem and they can cause side effects and physical dependence. You could use them for short term use, you know if you're involved with a social situation perhaps? eg. Speeches or something. You could try some therapies for yourself, see if you can look up anything for "systematic desensitisation" introduced by "Wolpe" and cognitive behavioural therapies, particularly "beck's cognitive therapy" and "Ellis's REB therapy." Like i said THIS IS A SUGGESTION AND I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL. :] i hope it helps, it could be an alternative to seeing a shrink and if you find it doesn't help then maybe it woud be a good idea to see someone, especially if it stop you from enjoying life. |
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needsout
Joined: May 18, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-18 13:06:47 |
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needsout
Joined: May 18, '09
Status: New User |
2009-05-18 13:14:49 |
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i just need to put this out there... im 16 have no friends and cant seem to truely connect with others, i have people to i talk and hang out with at school, but they dont talk to me out side school. i feel depressed when i come home and regrete the week ends. it doesnt matter how muchi try to connect with others im just seen as a big intimadating* guy, there was one girl who i connected with but i was to shy to do anything about it and in the end i pushed here away... well thats it off to do do nothing and act like its important so my parents can act like im not a total failure *have been told multiple times that i scare/intimadate people because of my size. im tall fat and strong. all would be fine if i had any social skills |
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Unanswered Thread: Nothing wrong with paranoia. posted by IntroduckToni 2 days ago |
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