Social Anxiety Forums

graubler · Posted: Thu January 28, 2010 Post subject:

When you spend 2 hours plucking the courage up to venture outside

Rebecca · Posted: Thu January 28, 2010 Post subject:

graubler · Posted: Fri January 29, 2010 Post subject:

Hi thanks for the welcome

nofun · Terrified Newbie Joined: 03 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

...when you talk to someone you can't help but look down constantly to avoid too much eye contact bc you feel like if they look you in the eyes they will know how scared you are.

...when you try to keep it together in a social situation but you feel like youre going to explode. you cant breath, you cant stop shaking or swallowing.

...when youre in a social situation and you are scared to talk because you think people wont understand you and you'll come off sounding crazy.

...when you try to talk to people but you cant stop yourself from shaking and you know the person youre talking to can see that and they think you are a weak person.

...when you walk into a store and you feel like everyone is looking at you and judging every step you take. they are thinking 'wow that person is strange'

...when you cant stay still when sitting on a couch becuase you think the way youre sitting is abnormal and weird looking.

...you feel like everyone knows that you are terrified.

...you have muscle spasms when you try to talk. you cant be still or relaxed. it seems like you scare people away and make them uneasy.

...when you feel like you have nothing to offer in a conversation, even though you want to join in. you feel like you will sound stupid and not know what youre talking about and other people will attack you for it.

... when you order delivery from the same chinese restaurant for 2 weeks straight bc you dont want to go outside.

...when you run out of cigarettes but dont go to the store bc you want to avoid talking to the cashier or even be seen by anyone on the street.

...you separate yourself from your friends that you have known for years bc you are scared they will not like you anymore.

...when you get nervous around your boyfriend. at night when you sleep you try to stay at the other side of the bed bc you are scared they will hear you breathing fast and swallowing.

...when you get nervous around your own parents.

i am having a very hard time with this. i never thought i had SA. i was socially akward in high school but once i got to college i was fine. i had so many friends and i never really felt uncomfortable. however, i was drinking A LOT and abusing drugs. i guess because it gave me courage.

now, im 24 and i feel like i have lost all control of my life. i stay in my house all day. sometimes i pick up cigarettes from the store but it's always a big deal, even just walking out of the house is a big deal bc im scared the neighbors will see me and ill have to say hi or have a conversation with them. i really want to go out and have fun but i just cant do it. i dont like being around people. i always get so nervous and i scare them away. i feel like i have no control over the expressions on my face. i feel like i alawys look scared and nervous. i just cant get a grip on this and its putting a strain on my relationship with my bf bc he is a social butterfly.

Rebecca · Posted: Wed February 03, 2010 Post subject:

Hi nofun,

Wow, that is a long list! I hope that being on the forum and chatting with people on here will help it get shorter!

It must be hard having a boyfriend who is a social butterfly. Does that put you under a lot of pressure? Does he know about your SA?

introvertical · Posted: Thu February 04, 2010 Post subject:

...pretend to use your phone to avoid confrontation of other people
...avoid people you know because you don't know what to say to them and dont want to look like an idiot
...skip class at school to get out of a presentation
...attempt to talk to someone and fail horribly then when you walk away you figure out a ton of things you could have said

hendrik · Terrified Newbie Joined: 09 Feb 2010 Posts: 1

It can simply be remaining silent in the presence of another person or eating in public
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Rebecca · Posted: Tue February 09, 2010 Post subject:

RobbieB · Posted: Sun February 21, 2010 Post subject:

you prefer to talk to the dog rather than the owner when you have to visit someone
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stranded · Anonymous

When you stock up on dvds and entertainment items to stop yourself from getting bored, as theres no chance to socialise with anyone.

Michio Kaku Jr. · Posted: Tue February 23, 2010 Post subject:

You know you have social anxiety when you go to a clinic to make a doctor's appointment and sit in the car for 15 minutes worrying about how many people are sitting in the waiting room..... Usually, the receptionist's desk / window is in the same room.

Angie · Posted: Tue February 23, 2010 Post subject:

Rebecca · Posted: Tue February 23, 2010 Post subject:

But did you go in Michio?

Michio Kaku Jr. · Posted: Tue February 23, 2010 Post subject:

Yea I somehow managed to force myself to go in and make an appointment. There were probably about 3 people sitting in the waiting room. I couldn't believe it because it's usually packed to the core and the parking lot was damn near full. I guess I lucked up today and I didn't make myself look like a fool in front f the receptionist. The appointment's set for this Saturday.

Rebecca · Posted: Tue February 23, 2010 Post subject:

Well done for making the appointment. I am sure that once you have been to see your doctor you will feel that you have taken a really positive step forward.

People always worry about chatting with their doctor but doctors are so used to discussing these issues with people that you just need to remember it isn't a big deal to them and so they won't think anything strange of talking about with you.

Good luck. I hope it goes really well on Saturday.