Has SocialPhobiaWorld helped your SA?

[Charmed]

No, not really. But then again, I haven't really bothered trying anything new.

 

[Meggy0001]

Well I found this like this month so doubt it has yet but I feel less alone though, knowing that I am not the only one and I guess that has made things a little better

 

[028ellie81]

Being able to talk to other people and read their posts and realise that I am not weird in the way I think. Non-Social Anxiety sufferers do not understand how hard we find everyday things like socialising and dating and it is great to post on this forum and share some of our anxieties.

 

[LifeInternal88]

There are some wise people here.

In general, I've stopped wasting so much energy on wishing I was different.

 

[Predacon]

I think the main way it has helped me, is that it has shown me that I'm not the only one who feels this way which actually makes it easier to deal with.

 

[lilmutegirl]

My SA has gotten better over the course of my life through experience (mostly in real life, but some online). Unfortunately, when I interact with people (both online and in real life) I tend to feel stupid. Just today, I posted something on here and a response made me feel like I'm an idiot. When I feel like this, it makes me not want to interact with other people. I voted unsure because I am getting better, but not necessarily because of SocialPhobiaWorld. It is nice to have people who understand and don't always tell me to "suck it up," though.

 

[Tulicks]

Not really, interacting with people over the internet does not really put me in an uncomfortable social situation.

 

[A86]

I can't say it has done miracles for me, because getting over the SA itself is something I need to work on. However, this site has helped me a ton as far as understanding it goes. I understand a lot more now what I go through and why I do. I'm not as confused by my emotions, symptoms, etc. now as I was before. Also, this site has helped me open up more. Well at least on here, and to receive that kind of support and advice from you wonderful people is great. I thank each and every one of you.

I said unsure. It hasn't made me less socially anxious, but it is helpful to have a place where people understand and where I can post stuff related to SA and know that others think and feel a similar way.

I agree with everyone. It hasn't cured my SA completely, that's something I've to do myself. But just knowing that there're people out there who understand is a huge help for me. There're some great people here that give valuable advice and make feel better when I'm down. I can also vent here without being judged.

Pretty muchs summs up my opinion.
No amount of help and support can help someone not willing to help themselves.
Having said that, this site provides an execellent framework of help and support with a wealth of knowledge and experiance to draw from to make the most informed decisions in what direction we want to take to better ourselves and to be happy.

It "helps" in the managment of SA in the same sense that a training wheel helps someone who wants to learn how to ride a a bicycle.

 

[LittleKitty]

I voted "Unsure (or in-between)"

I think its actually made my social anxiety worse since its now constantly on my mind whenever I feel even the slightest anxiety, which just makes me worry and creates even more anxiety.

Then again.. Because of that I am now finally facing my anxiety rather then avoiding it. I get stuck between the fight or flight so easily now. Hopefully I can change my flight into fight like it once was.

 

[JMiller]

If anything, I find this site to be nice to vent and to read and relate to other people going through similar things but that's it for me.

 

[MoonBoom]

No. It's great to meet people who share sort of the same problems as me. But as an agoraphobic, it's just another online forum with which I've made friends with. From a personal perspective, I'm not sure I will ever get the help I need. My conditions have just slowly been getting worse. This forum has no merit on my life. How can it. But the people I meet through it are priceless.

 

[Kat]

It’s just a place of familiarity to me. I usually prefer passive people to be around where ever I hang out. It initially helped me but I agree with what others have said it’s something you have to do for yourself but there will always be certain personality traits that I like. Familiar thinking styles.

 

[dottie]

not really. but it's a nice outlet to vent things i could not vent elsewhere.

 

[Falkor]

It helps me, yes. Sure does. I mean the advice from others here helps loads and also the people are so nice and welcoming that I love this place, just to go to when I'm feeling low, just to escape from the world, to a better SP world.

 

[jonas89]

I said unsure,,, but when I think of it, it has given my more comfort about many things and informed me more about many other mental illnesses. so spw has actually helped about some things in some way and also there are great ppl on here : )

 

[*eMmCaM*]

lol i though i wud be interacting with ppl~~~>but i wuz wrong nobody really wants 2 conversate (2shy i guess)::

 

[P+G]

I'm not sure. Like real life I sometimes find it hard to write a reply. I have it in my head and I know what I want to say but most of the time I'll just leave.

 

[Nathália]

I'm not sure. Like real life I sometimes find it hard to write a reply. I have it in my head and I know what I want to say but most of the time I'll just leave.

Same here. It takes me while to reply to someone or I don't know how. It's not that I didn't read their response, I just don't know how to respond. It can take me forever to type simple things sometimes.

 

[Illusions]

A little. Knowing you're not the only one who struggles with social interactions and being able to relate to other people makes you feel better.

However I got better mostly because I forced myself to face my fears out in the real world. Scary, but it helps.

 

[kilojoule]

I can't say it has done miracles for me, because getting over the SA itself is something I need to work on. However, this site has helped me a ton as far as understanding it goes. I understand a lot more now what I go through and why I do. I'm not as confused by my emotions, symptoms, etc. now as I was before. Also, this site has helped me open up more. Well at least on here, and to receive that kind of support and advice from you wonderful people is great. I thank each and every one of you.

^This

Because the question is 'has spw helped your SA?' I will answer no. It takes work on my part socialising out in the world to help my SA, I have to help myself. However had the question been 'Has spw helped you?' The answer would be a resounding yes.