All Better?

[emilydude]

Hi. Um, I'm new to the board. Actually I only found this site about a half hour ago, but I've always been a fast mover so I'm posting already. :wink:

I'm not entirely sure why I'm here.

I'm 21. I was first diagnosed as social phobic when I was 13. But, you see... I'm better now. Apparently.

I'm still very shy and hesitant to do things and interact with people, but... I'm better. When I was 19 I came of the meds and since then I've started college (which is great considering I never went to school - literally), I've worked and travelled in the US... I've got myself a life.

The world thinks I'm better.

The world is wrong. When I go out I still get the sweaty palms and the racing heartbeat. I still see the people stare at me, hear the laughter. I still feel the paralysis when I'm put in the centre of people's attention. I still get the mad impulse to run away from... everyone.

I never got better. I just learned to hide it better.

I guess I'm just wondering do other people feel this way? I guess I'm just afraid I'll never really be better.

 

[Alternator]

Yes, there are thousands of us worldwide. Most people dont realize how different social anxiety can be. I see these posts all the time stating "If you have a girlfriend/boyfriend then your anxiety isn't that bad' or "how do people like us find jobs'. Well like I said it varies, some people may have an easy time starting up a convo with a member of the opposite sex, but a job interview may be an extremely painful, almost impossible experience.

It seems like you've accomplished a lot, so congrats to you. I made the honor graduate list in high school, but never got around to going to school after that. It hurts when people say I'm smart and I should get a better job. It makes me angry to see people who didnt work half as hard as I did going to school. But hey, life goes on.

Keep on working on it, and soon you'll overcome this anxiety!

 

[Secret_Smile]

I'm having the same problem (Well sort of)
I've had Social phobia for years but It was only given the name near the start of the year. I see 2 councillour therapist people and I'm on St Johns Wort for anti-depressants. My councillours have now stopped seeing me because they say that I'm all better now but I realy don't think I am, I've tried to tell both of them this but I've been to scared. I have improved a fair bit but I still get panic attacks (Even if I'm just outside a place I don't like or where I've had troube in the past), I run away from situations that scare me, I don't utter a word in lessons because I'm terrorfied. I don't see that as better. Not as bad but not better and now the CBT has stopped I feel helpless, not ready to make it on my own yet.

Its horrible feeling this way but I can sort of understand how you're feeling.

 

[symbiosis]

Hi there,

Congratulations for being out in the world trying - that's half the battle! (as they say, fake it until you make it ) My theory (which I've just thought up), is there are a few different stages to SP:

1. Completely paralysed by SP, can't function at all - can't socialise/work/talk....cry all the time.....suicide risk.....absolutely despise yourself and life.

2. Taking a few tentative steps towards doing things you want - not quite ready yet.......have setbacks......cry.......withdraw.......try again and again.....

3. Have a small 'win' or two......keep trying, can function a tiny bit in the world, but still feel like a complete 'fraud' with lots of weird thoughts/feelings.

4. Can kinda function in the world - on the outside you look pretty 'normal'.....but still feel scared/doubtful/irrational on inside.

5. After doing step 4 for ages (years?!?!), it almost becomes real and much easier - especially with things you are familiar with.......but still hard to do new things (I wonder if that ever changes - probably not!)

Does this make any sense? - I can definitely see the above pattern in my own progress over the years!

 

[Anonymous]

CURED?

DEAR EMILY, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A CURE FOR THIS DIS=EASE. IF THERE IS I'D LOVE TO FIND IT. I GIVE YOU SO MUCH CREDIT FOR GETTING OUT IN THE WORLD AND DOING IT. IT IS SO HARD TO FACE LIFE WHEN THIS CRAZY THING STRIKES. I TRY TO TAKE ONE DAY AT ATIME, TALKT OT OTHERS WHO ARE SUFFERING , AND ALWAYS REMEMBER I HAVE AN ILLNESS THAT CAN STRIKE ME ANYTIME/ ANYWHERE. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU FEEL THE NEED TO TALK IT OUT. [email protected] JERSEY, U.S.A.

 

[funnyman]

I guess we never completely get over it, we just learn to cope with it or some people prefer to be loners. Live by themselves and never talk to anyone. I prefer to cope with it and get what I can out of this world!!!