do you tell people?

[RyRy17]

Just wondering if anyone tells people that they have social anxiety issues. personally i have only told my family and one of my friends.
list some experiences
I want to know if it helps to let people know about your problem or will it just make things even more awkward?

 

[Hellhound]

I only tell people who I think will understand it.

 

[Jaysonguy]

I tell anyone because it's who I am.

The act of hiding will make you more stressed and more anxious trying to keep that hidden in all sorts of situations.

For me I'm all about being comfortable, take me as I am or keep on going.

For the workplace I started my own business that's built around anxiety disorders so really it's about me trying to be outward with anxiety problems so I can get more help for everyone else.

You don't have to lay it all on someone at once because who does that?

Man: "Baby I love Adam Sandler movies"

Woman: "Oh I still love you"

Man: "WE'RE WATCHING EVERY MOVIE HE'S EVER MADE RIGHT NOW AND WE WONT STOP UNTIL WE WATCH THEM ALL"

It's a gradual process but it's freeing.

 

[Bustn Justin]

I am open about it with people who are more understanding.

 

[polishgirl]

I don't name it "social anxiety". But I talk about my inferiority complex. I don't know why though, maybe to hear that my complex is unjustifiable?

 

[damiennn]

Ive only told one person and it was over text. It was somebody that I don't really talk to anymore and I just wanted to see what she would say. Other then that Ive never told my family or closest friends. I feel that if they knew then they would treat me differently or something. It just makes things less complicated.

 

[WeirdyMcGee]

Here's a relevant thread: http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/do-you-tell-your-friends-people-you-know-that-you-are-a-member-of-spw-39984/

I don't have many people in my life- just my mom and siblings.
Dad lives pretty far away.
My entire extended family know that I am agoraphobic and have panic/anxiety disorder.
It's a pretty hard thing to keep secret, so I've never bothered.

As they are my family and I rarely see anyone and have no friends-- doesn't really make anything any more awkward than normal.
I don't see why it should.

 

[da_illest101]

I do but they don't seem to get it

 

[MikeyC]

I used to suppress everything, but in the last 9 months I have told more and more people. My depression was something I would keep secret and that was a huge weight on my shoulders. Now I'm more liberal with it, so people know. It helps telling people.

 

[lonely_drummer]

I've only told 2 people, they're good friends. It was really hard to tell them but when I did, it felt pretty good to get it out in the open. One is my best friend and former bass player, we were doing a mini tour into B.C. and we were at an after party when me and him figured, screw it, we know no one here, let's go to the band van and hang out. He mentioned how it was funny that me and him were the closed off guys in the band, rather chill than party and that's when I brought up my SA which did not surprise him at all, he pretty much already knew. I started spewing about how I hated not being able to talk to people and then he brought the conversation into the spiritual realm where he explained all the chakras in the human body, specifically talking about the throat chakra. He made me realize that being quiet was not a weakness, that it was a form of discipline and that it makes me think before I speak. He said that, yes maybe I don't talk much but that when I finally do, it's something worth listening to. It was an amazing experience, it really opened my eyes and also that this didn't bother him made it even more comforting. The other person I've told is another close friend, she's great. It was last Christmas day, I was in Newfoundland spending the holidays with the extended family. I will keep it short, the night before something pretty traumatizing happened to me which caused me to do what I do best, run. I left early in the morning and hitchhiked to st johns. While I was there, I had nowhere to go so I just aimlessly walked the streets Xmas morning while my friend was back here and decided to call me to wish a merry Christmas. While on the phone she knew I was very upset and everything just came pouring out of me which is where I admitted to having SA. She was very understanding and just listened to everything I had to say which I am greatly appreciative of. Today she helps encourage me in certain situations and is just a very loving person. Ive said it before and I'll say it again, I am very lucky to have these two friends and wouldn't trade them for anything, not even a cure to SA!

 

[Srijita52]

I only tell people who I think will understand it.

Same here, I used to tell others but very few seemed to understand or care, so I stopped.

 

[rxdc]

I've told people, only family, about my hyperhidrosis which some people in my family have but nowhere to the degree that I do. I'm pretty sure mine would have been barely noticeable as well if not for my anxiety. But the anxiety part I've told no one, and I even go to great efforts to hide it.

Like if I refuse to go out or do something I tell people that it's cause I don't like people in general, or I hate all the stuff they want to do, even though I do want to do all those things.

Don't know if people can tell I'm nervous, but I try to act indifferent and borderline rude sometimes to hide the fact I'm feeling anxious. In the end people end up acting indifferent towards me and most often end up hating me, but I'd rather people think I'm an ass than some guy with anxiety issues.

Most often people I've pissed off tend to forgive me, but the ones that were creeped out by my anxiety/hyperhidrosis avoid me like I'm some kind of nut job.

 

[Thelema]

I've only told a few close people.

Gotta keep up appearances, ya know?

 

[Fighter86]

No I don't.

 

[Swifty]

I have told some people, sometimes with bad consequences. Maybe in the future when i really trust someone i might tell it.

 

[Starry]

I tell everybody, if I feel something is mentioned which relates to it... For example, if someone asks what I do generally, I'll explain how the social Phobia and agoraphobia affect what am able to do. I also mention it on my Facebook profile and make Facebook posts about it... I like to educate people on the matter, so that they can be more understanding should they ever encounter anyone else who suffers with it... Plus, it's part of who I am and it gives them the ability to understand why I may feel or act the way I do. So far I haven't had any negative experiences with telling anyone... In fact, everyone has been very understanding and supportive...

 

[JuiceB]

I do but they don't seem to get it

My moms' like this also. She thinks it is something I brought upon myself and need to stop. My sister knows all too well about my SA but she's always so busy that I hardly get a chance to see or speak with her.

 

[cowboyup]

I've told people who only I feel they would understand. I've noticed though, once I told someone, it was quite cathartic, at least in my case.

 

[Sacrament]

The thing here is that we tend to feel like we're social outcasts because we feel socially anxious, when, in reality, most people feel that way. Maybe not to the same extent, but it's fairly normal. And because we elevate this so called 'condition' to such levels, we exaggerate on what it actually is. Do I tell people I get close to that I tend to dislike situations that are too 'social' because I get a little anxious? Sure, to some extent. But I don't make a big deal out of it, because that'll just make it worse. If you stop insisting on turning it into a big monster, you'll realize that it's not that big of a deal, and that it will get better with repeated exposure (ie, don't lock yourself in your room/house for too long, do every day things like shopping, etc).

 

[MarionBerry]

Nobody knows except my best friend, but he tells people about my issues (why I won't go/flake/etc)...so....people know. Just not from me.