platypusjelly
New member
Hi all 
After 14 years of depression and anxiety I was recently diagnosed with a behavioural disorder, which includes social anxiety.
I've never thought of it as being an actual condition before and my psychiatrist suggested that I put feelers out and try to talk to and make friends with people who also have similar problems. I thought I would try online because as silly as it sounds, I have anonymity and people can't think the worst of me. I feel completely *bonkers* (sorry for the lack of PC!) but its what my brain is telling me.
At the moment I am trying to identify what I'm struggling with. One thing is I work part time and find that I put on a facade when talking to people. Since I work in healthcare its really difficult trying to be myself when meeting new people everyday who I sometimes have to have really difficult, emotional conversations with. I also find that I can't empathise with people; its like I have no idea how to feel someone else's pain or happiness. I have a few very close friends and a larger circle of acquaintances who are more distant but sometimes I do feel like I have no one who really understands how I'm feeling.
Its tough for me to make eye contact when talking to people too. I constantly think that people are judging me and I always wear make up when I go out because of this, even if its to go grocery shopping. I also do all my grocery shopping at night/early hours of the morning because I don't like the feeling I get when I go to the supermarket and its busy.
I've also been in a long term relationship for 2 years, my boyfriend knows about everything but he does little/nothing to help with my anxiety :-/ has anyone else struggled in relationships?
Sorry for the ramble, I hope I get to talk to some of you and make some friends here x
After 14 years of depression and anxiety I was recently diagnosed with a behavioural disorder, which includes social anxiety.
I've never thought of it as being an actual condition before and my psychiatrist suggested that I put feelers out and try to talk to and make friends with people who also have similar problems. I thought I would try online because as silly as it sounds, I have anonymity and people can't think the worst of me. I feel completely *bonkers* (sorry for the lack of PC!) but its what my brain is telling me.
At the moment I am trying to identify what I'm struggling with. One thing is I work part time and find that I put on a facade when talking to people. Since I work in healthcare its really difficult trying to be myself when meeting new people everyday who I sometimes have to have really difficult, emotional conversations with. I also find that I can't empathise with people; its like I have no idea how to feel someone else's pain or happiness. I have a few very close friends and a larger circle of acquaintances who are more distant but sometimes I do feel like I have no one who really understands how I'm feeling.
Its tough for me to make eye contact when talking to people too. I constantly think that people are judging me and I always wear make up when I go out because of this, even if its to go grocery shopping. I also do all my grocery shopping at night/early hours of the morning because I don't like the feeling I get when I go to the supermarket and its busy.
I've also been in a long term relationship for 2 years, my boyfriend knows about everything but he does little/nothing to help with my anxiety :-/ has anyone else struggled in relationships?
Sorry for the ramble, I hope I get to talk to some of you and make some friends here
x
