Does anybody feel they've improve significantly?

[JosephG]

I think I'm just coming to terms with what I have. Although I'm not diagnosed with anything as yet my doctor does feel I have an anxiety related disorder. I have just received a letter from my counselling service and I am yet to ring to arrange a telephone interview. (I will do it when my family are out or something, I don't like them hearing me talk about what I feel sometimes).

Does anybody have any stories or positive words to say about how they've improved over time with their condition? I could do with some hope to know that one day I may not feel like this (or feel as bad). Does anybody in fact feel like they've over come this completely?
Any responses would be appreciated greatly (whether it be small triumphs or grand victories I want to hear 'em)

 

[just wanna b normal]

yeah i felt like i have improved a little better. i would say the more you understand about your condition (social anxiety) the better you will get. and i kept putting myself in social situations so it gets a little easier every time...

 

[JamesSmith]

The older I've gotten, the more I understand what I have and have come to terms with it. But I feel worse than I did b4 because I have faded away from friends and I'm not happy when I'm by myself or when i was with friends. I don't know what happened to me, but now I'm not happy anywhere I go. I know i have a bad case of SAD, I'm just not sure what to do now.

 

[deleted user 1]

There are times that I feel that I am improving, but only for someone to knock me down. It's delicate recovery process, if you can find people that are supportive and positive around you, you will have the upper hand in this fight.

 

[Dronee]

Yes, I think it's possible to improve. I had improved a lot out of sheer necessity. Just take your small triumphs as they come.

 

[CosmicNeurotica]

Still searching myself.
Searching for friends who I can relate with who also have the same conditions as me. Problem is, it's near impossible to find someone like that in the real world. If they're out there, they're most likely stuck at home all the time like I am.
I'm not a good conversationalist either. I just never know what to say.
The only thing I've improved at is watching the hole dig deeper and deeper.

 

[JosephG]

Just read that Donny Osmond had SA and discovered so in like 1994.

YouTube - Donny Osmond and Lenny Henry interview - Parkinson - BBC

Dunno about you but the above interview gives me hope If he can pull himself together then we all can.

edit: It gives me hope because he is at ease and very confident.

 

[Blaze]

Still searching myself.
Searching for friends who I can relate with who also have the same conditions as me. Problem is, it's near impossible to find someone like that in the real world. If they're out there, they're most likely stuck at home all the time like I am.
I'm not a good conversationalist either. I just never know what to say.
The only thing I've improved at is watching the hole dig deeper and deeper.

Story of my life.

 

[Interzone]

I feel like I've improved slightly, some days are better, some days are worse. But it's still pretty bad. I kinda don't know how to relate with and talk to people.

And its really hard to find people I can relate to.

 

[EscapeArtist]

I've improved in thinking process but I've definitely gotten worse with avoidance

 

[sorrow1]

I think I have.

I now hardly ever get nervous on the phone. I can now look people in the eye. I can talk to strangers, not very well but I dont feel nervous about it and I dont feel bad if I make a mistake as I have accepted I will not see them again.
I am fine now one on one with strangers and people I work with. I can do public speaking without getting nervous. I dont get too nervous before social events and I dont cancel on as many with stupid lies.

I still have a long way to go and often get deppressed because my progress is still not good enough for certain people. I would still like to be able to converse and contribute in group situations, feel comfortable around friends of friends. and go on dates with the opposite sex without comming accross as a bumbling buffoon but I guess overall I am pleased with my progress.

I wish I could say to those seeking professonal help that it works but I honestly dont know. I was too stubborn and afraid to seek help and did it by myself through lots of exposure. It was very hard but got easier over time.

its not neccesarily going to work for everyone but it helped me. my next challenge is going to be internet dating. wish me luck!

 

[Sinar_Matahari]

I have improved, but there are other things I have to improve on.

 

[totoro]

I have improved in some aspects- for example I used to be anxious about making phone calls to people I don't know (e.g. calling up to make a reservation at a restaurant) but I can accomplish that without any trouble these days.

Other problems are still the same like being awkwardly silent and uncomfortable in large groups and public speaking (the mere thought of it stirs up fear and dread).

 

[bsammy]

my social skills are actually pretty good.my apathy is worse than its ever been, my desire to socialize is very low..my avoidance is sky high..ive somewhat accepted who i am but that means i have to accept that im not ever going to have much of a 'life'..

 

[bsammy]

btw its to the point with me that the lines are so blurred that i really dont know what 'improvement' means at this point.

 

[Nathália]

I have highs and lows all of the time still but I feel I have had a major change. I do not think this thing will ever go away but I have found moments in my life to not let it consume me. When I didn't know what it was it consumed me because I thought I was very sick in the head and didn't have the tools to control what ever it was. I think I have improved alot but not I am not cured. Everyone has anxiety for different reasons but I really do think it's just my brain and nothing any meds or people can take it away. Although I do think that people with anxiety can improve in a huge way but when we get to the top and we fall I don't think we should be ashamed. Then I have gotten to some points where I dont give a freak anymore about certian things because I got tired of certian pattrens. Me 3 years ago before I knew what it was they sent me to the hospitals because I could not explain it to people or talk to them. I just could not explain it, I didn't know anything. Once you come to terms with it and find out what it is, I think it could improve. I am not this ray of sunshine nor am I feeling like no one eles is like me and I have no sense.

 

[razzle dazzle rose]

I have improved significantly since I joined this site.

Awareness of these problems has allowed me to make changes in my life I probably wouldn't have otherwise. It has been the push I needed. The most drastic change so far has been moving in with my boyfriend, 600 miles away from my family. I am still getting used to my new surroundings, and some days are really hard, but all and all, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am a happier me.

There are a bunch more things I have to work on, but I am confident I will overcome this. I have been in a quest to find out who I am, to be the best me...I overcame my OCD. I will overcome my depression and anxiety too. Sometimes it feels like I am this big project, and it allows for little else. But I am really close to fitting in that last puzzle piece. It makes me very excited.

I try to remember where I came from to measure my growth. I may never be a social butterfly, but that is okay because that is not who I am supposed to be anyway. Once I drop the depression and anxiety baggage, I will be the me I was supposed to be and that is all I want.

 

[Hastings & Main]

I have improved dramatically (from my point of view) ever since finding this site, which jump-started my finding a way out even though I was diagnosed years before.

Went to a friend's New Years party and actively joined conversations, engaged convo and 'acted natural'. Even got kidded about being so much more open, since usually at gatherings I'm the 'listening and observing' thing on the couch soaking up drinks and just watching everyone else interact.

My technique? Slowly dropping my fears over time. Takes practice and constantly catching yourself being afraid and then asking yourself why right at the moment, and replacing the fear with control.

Right now I'm at a low point, since it's winter and I have to battle both SA AND Seasonal Affective with no support but myself...

Tough going, but it gets better.

 

[9407]

I've definitely improved in the past 4 years but there's still a lot of improving to do. 3 years ago I was so shy that I didn't want to wear clothes that had colour on them because I was afraid of standing out.

 

[OceanMist]

I have dramatically improved because I've gotten out of my house by myself and have tried to talk to two woman on two meet ups. For me, it's not about succeeding with people right now, it's just about trying, and I've been doing that.

Before I met those two women, I hadn't gone out to socialize with anyone in 3 or 4 years. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do was to break through that wall. I feel better than I did before. Before, I felt manic depression and felt alone every day. I still feel lonely but it's not as bad.