I started this thread because even though I have a formal diagnose, my mom thinks I am just to lazy to go anywhere and my g.ma believes me but blows it off like it's not important and I could do it if I tried. And they both get upset when I won't make a call or go into a store etc. Does anyone else have this problem? Because it makes me feel even more alone.
I am really glad I read this thread--my mom just sent me an email a couple of weeks ago (in response to me telling her that I am starting therapy) telling me that I need to get my act together TODAY, get a full-time job TODAY, etc.
She tells me that everyone has social anxiety from time to time, so I have to use the term social phobia when talking to her about it. My parents think that I am lazy, but I avoid doing things because I am so uncomfortable. Unfortunately, this usually ends up compounding problems, and by the time I ask for help (usually financially) things are pretty out of control, so that's all my parents see. What they don't seem to understand is that I'd LOVE to feel like a productive, comfortable member of society, and that it is killing me to see everyone around me not only surviving, but thriving and accomplishing their dreams, while I sit on the sidelines, terrified.
The two things that really bother me about my mom are:
1) I told her a decade ago (right after high school) that I thought I needed therapy. She told me to get a job. I got a job, and we never spoke of me getting help again till I sought it for myself. I really think I'd be in a better place right now if she had listened to me back then.
2) She is a hoarder. It is really bad. We couldn't have people over when I was younger, and I spent most of my life trying to hide this fact. I think that has been a pretty big factor in my SA.
So, no my family pretty much doesn't seem to believe me--at least not my mom, and my dad doesn't really talk to me. I haven't told my brother, but I'm sure he'd believe me and be supportive if he knew. The friends I have are awesome, and believe me, so I get support from them. At least 2 of them also have SA, so I know I have people I can talk to if I need to at times.