finally considering getting help

ive always thought about getting help for my SA but i always thought i could pull myself out of it alone.

i was optimistic about meeting new friends and getting to be more comfortable with myself at my new university. i thought a fresh start was all i needed

and while i have been making efforts and making progress in becoming more "normal" i have had a lot of difficulty making friends in a new environment. i dont want to sit in my room every friday and saturday night. i dont want to spend all my time studying by myself.

these are supposed to be the best years of my life and so far they havent been. but i would like to change that

there is an on campus counseling service. there is no charge. i will be making an appointment sometime next week or the week after hopefully. i dont expect it to solve all my problems but they should at least be able to recommend a therapist for me off campus.

i really just need someone to open up to, explain how i feel, and seek advice from. originally i was afraid of getting help because i felt weak but ive realized it takes a stronger person to admit when you have a problem and seek help for it. a strong person isn't perfect, like ive tried to be, but a strong person tries to take back control of their life.

i am going to be a strong person.

originally i was afraid of getting help because i felt weak but ive realized it takes a stronger person to admit when you have a problem and seek help for it. a strong person isn't perfect, like ive tried to be, but a strong person tries to take back control of their life.

i am going to be a strong person.

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I'm proud of you! I think many, many people need to learn that.
I hope things work out and you can find a therapist who understands. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Please keep us updated on how things go.

I'm the same way, I've done so much research on social anxiety/phobia and avoidant personality disorder. I didn't want to ask anyone for help because I'm afraid they'll just see me as crazy or full of myself (or something).

I'm in my senior year at a university and I finally decided to talk to a counselor about my problems. I've been going a few times now and I cry a lot (ugh, I hate talking about my problems in person) but I feel like I will only get worse if I keep it to myself.

Good luck! I hope they can help you.

i really admire you! you're going to take back your life

i wish i will have this resolve someday... soon!

Good luck. I've always thought that trying to get help when you have SA is an interesting paradox. You want to get help, and know you should, but you can't because you're too embarrassed. At least that's what happens to me!

Luckily for me, I could sign up for counseling online. (that first step was hard!) After I submitted my request I immediately wanted to delete it, but I think I would've had to have called and I wasn't about to do that! haha

So I went to my first session and I wanted to cry before I even started! I still can't look at him when I'm talking. I just keep telling myself that he is there to be understanding and isn't thinking negatively towards me or judging me...

I still don't know if it'll help, I just hope he isn't one of those people who tells me I have an "assignment" where I have to talk to a stranger...I won't do it!

thank you

it's taken me a long time to make the call but im scheduled for next wednesday...

alex29 said:

thank you

it's taken me a long time to make the call but im scheduled for next wednesday...

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You've made a very brave step. We're all proud of you. The first step is always the hardest to take, but you're on your way. I hope things go well for you. All the best.

i saw a counselor for the first time today. i started crying as soon as she asked me what was going on, but i survived it and im so glad i went. we are going to try to schedule weekly meetings if possible. i am hoping to learn CBT and have someone help me with it

the hardest thing was finally being open with someone face to face. but i didnt feel ashamed or embarrassed at all and i would encourage everyone else to give it a try. i feel really proud of myself

thanks all for your kind words and good wishes.

Superb. Thanks for letting us know how it went. Keep us informed as to your progress. All the best.

Good for you! Good luck with everything.

i went today.. i have a new counselor that can meet every week with me now. today is was a little difficult. my first meeting there was a lot of crying because i was just telling someone something that i hadnt before, and this time i felt like i had to do it again.

i also felt like she didnt really understand what i was saying, mostly because i wasnt explaining it right.

i could just really use a hug now but theres no one around lol