Damien
Active member
Hi, Ive been lurking here for about an hour now so i figured i should post.
I have been diagnosed with social phobia but i dont know how to shake it.
I saw someone about it but they didnt help and the drugs make me a slurring zombie.
Im 22 but all my life i have been uptight. If i need to go anywhere new, walk into a room for an interview i spend an hour before hand dry reaching, wanting to be sick. Then a panic attack occurs (you know that feeling like you're on fire and your hands sweat like crazy and you say "yep im dying"). After such an episode i go into this abnormal state of calm. I then walk into my interview etc.
When i get to the destination, be it a pub, a birthday party, a job interview.... umm every day of working life (ya know the same ol same old 9 till 5), i quickly search for the bathroom just in case, or the nearest exit but then after ive found them i come across as confident. Im the life of the party if you will. As much as my brain is screaming at me to back away, that i will feel fine if i dont go...... i still do it.
I started a band. Played in front of 100's of people, hated public speaking at school but still did the best speeches. Social Phobia doesnt stop it. It frustrates me. I just want to be normal.
I saw a therapist who said "now we need to give you exposure therapy... you shouldnt avoid situations that make you uptight, freak out etc." I looked at him and said "umm i do everyday of my life. Nothing stops me from doing what i do, i want to stop feeling terrible, scared and sick every single day"
His reply: "oh right well, hmm that is odd. Most people would rather stay home"
The truth is... id love to stay home. Im home right now and im still uptight! I always feel guilty for being me. I recently quit my job because the boss wanted me to drive a manual van which is something i have never done before. Scared me to death. When i stressed my reasons, they became nasty and basically sacked me anyway.
Only one boss ever in my working career has understood. Why? Because he had it too. Unfortunately i was only contracted to him and the contract ran out.
Does anyone else experience my frustration? I have to ring my recently ex employer to ask for my annual leave entitlements and ive been pacing around for about 3 hours now.
Im glad i found such a site. I hope i can offer advice in someway shape or form. Mind you if you need your stereo repaired (im an electronics tech) ya best email me. hehe
Regards
Damien
I have been diagnosed with social phobia but i dont know how to shake it.
I saw someone about it but they didnt help and the drugs make me a slurring zombie.
Im 22 but all my life i have been uptight. If i need to go anywhere new, walk into a room for an interview i spend an hour before hand dry reaching, wanting to be sick. Then a panic attack occurs (you know that feeling like you're on fire and your hands sweat like crazy and you say "yep im dying"). After such an episode i go into this abnormal state of calm. I then walk into my interview etc.
When i get to the destination, be it a pub, a birthday party, a job interview.... umm every day of working life (ya know the same ol same old 9 till 5), i quickly search for the bathroom just in case, or the nearest exit but then after ive found them i come across as confident. Im the life of the party if you will. As much as my brain is screaming at me to back away, that i will feel fine if i dont go...... i still do it.
I started a band. Played in front of 100's of people, hated public speaking at school but still did the best speeches. Social Phobia doesnt stop it. It frustrates me. I just want to be normal.
I saw a therapist who said "now we need to give you exposure therapy... you shouldnt avoid situations that make you uptight, freak out etc." I looked at him and said "umm i do everyday of my life. Nothing stops me from doing what i do, i want to stop feeling terrible, scared and sick every single day"
His reply: "oh right well, hmm that is odd. Most people would rather stay home"
The truth is... id love to stay home. Im home right now and im still uptight! I always feel guilty for being me. I recently quit my job because the boss wanted me to drive a manual van which is something i have never done before. Scared me to death. When i stressed my reasons, they became nasty and basically sacked me anyway.
Only one boss ever in my working career has understood. Why? Because he had it too. Unfortunately i was only contracted to him and the contract ran out.
Does anyone else experience my frustration? I have to ring my recently ex employer to ask for my annual leave entitlements and ive been pacing around for about 3 hours now.
Im glad i found such a site. I hope i can offer advice in someway shape or form. Mind you if you need your stereo repaired (im an electronics tech) ya best email me. hehe
Regards
Damien