a cry for help

I have struggled with an anxiety disorder since i was 14 years and was only diagnosed in 2005. my life in highschool was hell while everyone else was enjoying themselves. Am now in college and should have been through had I not quit for two years because of the anxiety coupled with hyperdrosis. I have got no social life and the worst bit is that am unable to get help because I do not have the money for therapy. I come from a poor family and they do not fully understand my situation. They say anxiety is normal but they don't understand that my case is severe. If there is someone out there who can help me please do.

I don't know how I can help, I've had social anxiety since I was about the same age as you were, i was 13. Luckily I could get therapy on the NHS, for free, which has helped, but honestly, this site has helped just as much, and my therapy hasn't done anything you couldn't learn online. I might be totally wrong, and anyone please tell me if I am, but therapy isn't a golden solution to the problem, it helps some people, but not others, perhaps you could ask someone on this site who has had therapy for some help.

And with the family thing, I don't know if you have any family members who will listen to you but are out of your direct family, such as an uncle/aunt or grandparent, having someone on your side really does help when trying to explain what you're going through to your family. sorry i couldn't help much, good luck with everything

You could try to have your family read a book about SA, that might help them understand your situation.

Hey CfH,

Welcome to the forums!

Check if there are any support organisations locally, places where you could get free therapy etc. Maybe some phone lines you could call? There might also be forums online where psychologists answer also? (In my country, there are some options for this..)

Yeah, families often don't understand... Have you shown them the film about social anxiety? Someone on this forum posted it, it's on YouTube...

If you can't get access to a therapist, have you tried books or such? Some great info and help online too.. Some people on this forum found books or online programs/info helpful.. some stuff is mentioned here: http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/sai-overcoming-social-anxiety-step-by-step-16683/ and elsewhere on the forums.. (also you can google and research any programs/books to see what other people say, read reviews or excerpts on amazon..)

You are BRAVE to be in college now!!

Some people on this forum aren't up to that yet... So KUDOS for doing it!!

We can often go into the 'could've' trap but honestly, you are a unique person with a unique path... Maybe these two years helped you grow and learn in other ways.. and maybe they have made you a better person than someone who had it all 'easy'... You understand other people with anxiety or other problems better and maybe you will be better able to help them... later on, when you get better yourself..