cat
New member
Help!
I have had social phobia for as long as I can remember (in my late teens). Now i'm in my late twenties and my denial of this disease has finally made me feel like i'm going nuts! I'm so nervous and self-conscious around strangers that i tend to just avoid getting out into the world. I just feel safe in my house where i don't feel like i'm being scrutinised. I'm not close to my family so I can't feel like i can talk to them. besides, i think they're the reason why i have this disease. My mother constantly ridiculed me when i was growing up. She always put me down and made fun of me in front of other family members that i didn't have friends. I was a naturally shy girl, but she made it even worse. Instead of reassuring me, she made me feel less than other people. I resent her until now and barely have any contact with her. I don't know how to overcome this lack of self-esteem. I am afraid to get too close to people in case they hurt me. I have been told by others to take a chance and plunge in and not everyone is like my mother. But i can't seem to believe it. I'm so used to being a loner, I don't know how else to be. I'm supposed to be starting a new job tomorrow but I don't think i'll be turning up. I'm too petrified!! I have had opportunites like these before but I can't seem to commit. it's too scary! Imagine meeting all those people. Finding this website has been a godsend. I hope somebody out there can lend support and give me some advice.
Thanks
I have had social phobia for as long as I can remember (in my late teens). Now i'm in my late twenties and my denial of this disease has finally made me feel like i'm going nuts! I'm so nervous and self-conscious around strangers that i tend to just avoid getting out into the world. I just feel safe in my house where i don't feel like i'm being scrutinised. I'm not close to my family so I can't feel like i can talk to them. besides, i think they're the reason why i have this disease. My mother constantly ridiculed me when i was growing up. She always put me down and made fun of me in front of other family members that i didn't have friends. I was a naturally shy girl, but she made it even worse. Instead of reassuring me, she made me feel less than other people. I resent her until now and barely have any contact with her. I don't know how to overcome this lack of self-esteem. I am afraid to get too close to people in case they hurt me. I have been told by others to take a chance and plunge in and not everyone is like my mother. But i can't seem to believe it. I'm so used to being a loner, I don't know how else to be. I'm supposed to be starting a new job tomorrow but I don't think i'll be turning up. I'm too petrified!! I have had opportunites like these before but I can't seem to commit. it's too scary! Imagine meeting all those people. Finding this website has been a godsend. I hope somebody out there can lend support and give me some advice.
Thanks