Do you regard your SAD as a "disabilty"?

[planemo]

Well for me I guess I would say 'yes' as it has disabled me from living a normal, productive life. But I guess their is a stigma around the word disability. I think that it is usually associated with conditions whereby others can physically see ones probable incapability. It's difficult to 'see' ones inability to connect with others. I suppose ones body language can be a giveaway to ones shyness and fear, but basically I don't think it's recognised as a "disability". What do you guys think?

 

[planemo]

No one has any thoughts on this subject?::

 

[Kanye West]

No I do not.

 

[Hellhound]

I'm not sure... I don't think I have it that bad, or at least I hope I don't.

 

[lurknomore]

I don't know... I think I see it more as an illness or disorder than a disability. To me, the word disability implies something permanent- like being paralyzed or mentally retarded. I think SA is something that is treatable and does not have to be a lifetime problem. I don't think any other "phobias" are classified as disabilities.

 

[Devrium]

I do consider mine as one... only because it interferes drastically with my day to day life. Not to say it can't be cured or treated or whatever...but still due to the amount that it effects me.. it is disabling. I am unable to work or go to school.. hell, I can barely leave the house to check my mail because the people driving on my street cause me to have panic attacks. If I didn't have to leave the house for my chemo treatments and weekly therapy sessions.. I probably would never ever go outside. I guess this is more like agoraphobia than SA... but I mean the SA too... I don't have friends. I don't talk to anyone irl at all. I never go to party's or restaurants or anything like that.... only place I do go are Buddhist meetings because like I said before, they are the only people I feel I can be around without being judged.. and even then I struggle. But hey, at least I have that much. Though I can see where the debate would be ofc... as lurknomore said, the word disability can imply something more permanent... but to me I think my SA is permanent. I never really see myself overcoming it. Maybe getting a little better but even then... I have had it all my life and it's only gotten worse...so yea

 

[I_jailed_me]

I do consider mine as one... only because it interferes drastically with my day to day life. Not to say it can't be cured or treated or whatever...but still due to the amount that it effects me.. it is disabling. I am unable to work or go to school.. hell, I can barely leave the house to check my mail because the people driving on my street cause me to have panic attacks. If I didn't have to leave the house for my chemo treatments and weekly therapy sessions.. I probably would never ever go outside. I guess this is more like agoraphobia than SA... but I mean the SA too... I don't have friends. I don't talk to anyone irl at all. I never go to party's or restaurants or anything like that.... only place I do go are Buddhist meetings because like I said before, they are the only people I feel I can be around without being judged.. and even then I struggle. But hey, at least I have that much. Though I can see where the debate would be ofc... as lurknomore said, the word disability can imply something more permanent... but to me I think my SA is permanent. I never really see myself overcoming it. Maybe getting a little better but even then... I have had it all my life and it's only gotten worse...so yea

What about the ones who try to talk to you? Why do you push them out as well?

Do you have social avoidance personality too?

 

[dooby-duck]

Well, the dictionary definition is " A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area." So going by this Social anxiety is a disability. I've never really thought about it being a disability before but I guess it is.

 

[Devrium]

What about the ones who try to talk to you? Why do you push them out as well?

Do you have social avoidance personality too?

I only push them out when they say very inappropriate things and really really really hurt my feelings... laughing in the face of my suffering.. treating it like it's nothing... joking about my sorrow's. This is a site for support, not ridicule and immature naivety. And if you want to talk about it further I suggest pm's because these people don't need anymore drama in their lives. trust me. that's the last thing I will say on the matter.

 

[lyricalliaisons]

In my case, I definitely do consider it a disability. So does my vocational specialist & my old therapist. They both refer to it as an "invisible disability" which is exactly what it is. It has profoundly negatively impacted my life to the point that it has definitely disabled me & kept me from having a life. It's different for all people, though. Most people with SA seem to have relatively "normal" lives, despite it. For some, though, that's just not possible & isn't the case.

 

[I_jailed_me]

I only push them out when they say very inappropriate things and really really really hurt my feelings... laughing in the face of my suffering.. treating it like it's nothing... joking about my sorrow's. This is a site for support, not ridicule and immature naivety. And if you want to talk about it further I suggest pm's because these people don't need anymore drama in their lives. trust me. that's the last thing I will say on the matter.

Wow wow..ok, i get it!!!

I just thought i cheer you up. I understand how you feel, trust me i have been there myself and rejection and loneliness do feel crappy!! I know i am not the greatest person to cheer people up and my humor sucks but as the buddha said its the intent that matters not the method!

I tend to be like Jack Nicklson from that movie "As good as it gets".I am not rude but i cant help myself from saying certain stuff that i think could be true!

 

[Devrium]

Wow wow..ok, i get it!!!

I just thought i cheer you up. I understand how you feel, trust me i have been there myself and rejection and loneliness do feel crappy!! I know i am not the greatest person to cheer people up and my humor sucks but as the buddha said its the intent that matters not the method!

I tend to be like Jack Nicklson from that movie "As good as it gets".I am not rude but i cant help myself from saying certain stuff that i think could be true!

Yes, it is the thought that counts, and I appreciate it.. and LMAO I read that as "It's the internet that matters not the method" and I was like.. Buddha never said anything about the internet xD

 

[coriander1992]

I personally don't, as I manage to retain some level of normalcy within my life, however i've no doubt that for some people it could well be called a disability.

 

[Hellhound]

Well, the dictionary definition is " A disadvantage or deficiency, especially a physical or mental impairment that interferes with or prevents normal achievement in a particular area." So going by this Social anxiety is a disability. I've never really thought about it being a disability before but I guess it is.

I guess we are screwed then... ::

 

[I_jailed_me]

Yes, it is the thought that counts, and I appreciate it.. and LMAO I read that as "It's the internet that matters not the method" and I was like.. Buddha never said anything about the internet xD

Your welcome but does it help to be so finicky and touchy? When i developed SA in my early 20s i noticed how my tolerance for takeing jokes targeted at me began to reduce, I could not laugh at myself too much, but as a teenager when i was bullied someone taught me to laugh the loudest when the jokes aimed at you! That way it takes the heat of it and the venom becomes harmless and i used it to my full advantage, but as i grew older and more self-aware and losing my self-esteem i felt threatened about these jokes and soon shrugged when someone made fun of me!

So do you think its a problem not to laugh at such silly stuff? I know i was kiddish but there are no perfect people, when we have so many faults should we be to hard on others faults? Girls do tend to take guys for granted to..

I am sorry if i sound like an over presumptions dick but thats my opinion and you could make me understand if something is wrong!

 

[Silentknight]

Yes because of my SA and AvPD I can't even leave my house without the company of another and I have severe difficulty speaking to others so that means, can't speak means can't get a job, can't get a job means no money, no money means no way to pay for further education, no college means no job as you can see vicious circle.

 

[planemo]

In my case, I definitely do consider it a disability. So does my vocational specialist & my old therapist. They both refer to it as an "invisible disability" which is exactly what it is. It has profoundly negatively impacted my life to the point that it has definitely disabled me & kept me from having a life. It's different for all people, though. Most people with SA seem to have relatively "normal" lives, despite it. For some, though, that's just not possible & isn't the case.

Yes that is exactly my point. Usually disabilities are associated with a physical limitation or some type of representation. It's very hard to spot SA as a "disability", but I suppose it could still be viewed that way. Well, for me anyway...

 

[Emily_G]

I view stuttering and all the junk that goes along with it as a disability. I heard of a girl who was able to get on disability checks because of her stuttering...but she said it was very difficult to do.

 

[ashley90]

yes i kind of do. its made me act completely different then i used to.

 

[Tiercel]

I don't know that I'd consider mine a disability, but it sure is disabling. My last "job" was 5 1/2 years ago and that only lasted a day because of my anxiety. Self-esteem and depression also play a role, too. Hell, I couldn't even volunteer at a wildlife rehab place because I got too nervous and stressed out just thinking about it. And helping wild birds is something I really want to do.

So if I can't get it together enough for something I'm dying to do, how will I be able to do it for something like getting a job that I'm sure to despise? And I'm going birdwatching with my uncle in Maryland at some point this weekend, and I've been dreading the lecture that I'm sure is coming....

::