Hi, Really struggling with social anxiety and have done most of my life but it has got worse recently to the point I don’t hardly go anywhere and when I do I start to get panicky. I would love to be able to go out and meet new people but to afraid to so stuck in a rut! Would be nice to talk to people who are feeling the same or have overcome this.
Social anxiety
- Thread starter Alexa80
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Hi and welcome Alexa80. Just want to let you know I'm right there with you. Luckily I'm retired as I have much difficulty leaving my property and am anxious every single day. I have a very supportive wife and two adult kids who accept my limitations. That really helps as does medication and therapy. You certainly are not alone and again, welcome.
I have recently split from my partner so living back with my parents. My mum is disabled so try and help as much as possible even though she has carers but as I also suffer with depression it feels a real effort to do things. I haven’t worked for nearly 2 years and believe that would help me a lot if I had the confidence to make that initial step but can’t seem to do it. I suppose need to try and be happy for what I have.
At least living with your parents takes some of the financial pressure off plus your care taking should be gratifying, productive accomplishments. If you beat yourself up over feeling that you should be doing more, it will just add to the depression. Are you on any medication?
Yes I know what you mean about beating myself up about doing more, I do that daily! The thing is it’s very frustrating as I worry a lot what people think and depression can often be seen as laziness if people do not understand whats going on. I was taking medication but was experiencing really bad headaches so stopped taking them a few months ago but think I should go back to GP and try something different. Do you manage to get out much?
If you can, try not to be concerned what others think. Concentrating on what might make life easier for you is what will get you past this temporary funk. Getting together with your GP is a good start. I make it out at least twice a week, once for an AA meeting and the other to go have coffee at a good friend's house who makes me go, no excuses. He and I both know that it's good for me to make it out at least twice a week.
It’s good that you get out, I know that I must try and push myself to do the same. I wish I didn’t worry so much about what people think but can’t seem to stop it. Yesterday was an ok day for me but today complete opposite. Too much time to think is the problem!
My mind is always in thought, mostly with "What if..." situations. I have trouble concentrating while driving. I do make sure I make the goal of getting out at least twice a week and if turns out more than that, great. One positive for me, I guess two, are that I have gotten to the point of not worrying about my next panic attack and not caring if others are unable to understand my illness or if they like me.
I had a panic attack back in 2009. I have had terrible anxiety for years since then. It is annoying, but nobody helps me anymore. My mother does. I meant people like social services people. Half of them are arseholes that don't have a Scooby about anything.
How long have you been suffering with social anxiety for if you don’t mind asking? And if you have any tips on how not to worry what people think that would be helpful! You come across from the messages as a positive person which is encouraging.
If you want to overcome anxiety, I think you have to cut out booze, caffeine and junk food for a start. Also the thing about coming online to vent, is that some folk aren't a full shilling, so it's hard to determine what kind of person is responding to your posts.
I've been on a lot of gaming forums, and many members fight over stupid topics. Like very subjective, silly things. I gave up bothering to argue across my points. They didn't care anyway. Whenever I tried, they started to flame me and it ended up a waste of time.
I've been on a lot of gaming forums, and many members fight over stupid topics. Like very subjective, silly things. I gave up bothering to argue across my points. They didn't care anyway. Whenever I tried, they started to flame me and it ended up a waste of time.
I have had this problem for nearly 20 years and have seen a few therapists in that time. Unfortunately I didn’t really feel much better after all the appointments I had. I have decided to try and do things myself as it’s only me that can get myself well again unless I go private may get more help but expensive so that’s not an option at the moment.
bin_tenn
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Yep. Making these changes can go a long way on their own. Combined with other things such as exercise, possibly therapy and / or medication, a lot can be improved. Alcohol, caffeine and junk food will just make things worse.
bin_tenn
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It's tough building the motivation to make those changes, at least for me. I've been trying for a while. Overall I do better than I used to, but still have a lot of room for improvement. I just have such a hard time motivating myself to continue making changes.
You have to confront your fears, and know that everyone is the same, different body parts but naturally the same. We all eat, pay for things, and have our own issues. Etc. Online doesnt help, because you have to be around bodies to break out of your fears.