I'm sitting here reading some posts on here after stumbling across this site and i just want to cry because there are people who are experiencing things that i am!! People who can probably understand me! i've felt lonely for a long time now, and 'weird' because it seemed like i was the only one suffering from social phobia/anxiety.
I think i've had social phobia and anxiety for a while but have really only taken notice of it the last year or so. I have always felt awkward in social situations. I am so self-conscious its ridiculous! if i hear people laughing around me the first thing i think is 'they are laughing at me aren't they?why are they laughing at me?'. Social phobia and the associated problems that come with it are making my life so hard and stressful. I hate social outings, i constantly worry that people are staring at me. My body image problems also have a lot to do with it, i am a healthy weight for my height but was overweight when i was younger and still have issues about it. I think people are looking at me because im 'fat' even though i know i'm not overweight.
I sweat so badly when i'm in a social situation that it is embarrassing and then i worry more that people can see the sweat dripping off me.
I have been on effexor for depression, and this was before i really noticed my social phobia but looking back i think it did help my social phobia/anxiety problem because now i have anxiety pretty much on a daily basis.
I cant even speak to guys because i blush and sweat so much that i would rather not bother facing the situation. I think that i am quite attractive and have a lot to offer but my anxiety gets in the way. I have tried things on my own like positive thinking and mediation but it hasn't worked. Even when my mind is saying 'you'll be fine' and feeling calm, my body just automatically starts the anxiety symptoms (tight chest, sweating, heart palpitations...i thought i was having a friggin heart attack at first!!)
When having a conversation with other people, particuarly new people, I dont feel normal. I am constantly watching what i am saying, worrying about what i look like to the other person and how i am coming across. it is terrible!! I dont want to keep living like this.
I am thinking about going on medication. I know some people don't agree with medication but to be honest i just think if it helps with my anxiety symptoms it is worth it because i just cant waste any more of my life living like this. I want to start living, really living!!!
I think i've had social phobia and anxiety for a while but have really only taken notice of it the last year or so. I have always felt awkward in social situations. I am so self-conscious its ridiculous! if i hear people laughing around me the first thing i think is 'they are laughing at me aren't they?why are they laughing at me?'. Social phobia and the associated problems that come with it are making my life so hard and stressful. I hate social outings, i constantly worry that people are staring at me. My body image problems also have a lot to do with it, i am a healthy weight for my height but was overweight when i was younger and still have issues about it. I think people are looking at me because im 'fat' even though i know i'm not overweight.
I sweat so badly when i'm in a social situation that it is embarrassing and then i worry more that people can see the sweat dripping off me.
I have been on effexor for depression, and this was before i really noticed my social phobia but looking back i think it did help my social phobia/anxiety problem because now i have anxiety pretty much on a daily basis.
I cant even speak to guys because i blush and sweat so much that i would rather not bother facing the situation. I think that i am quite attractive and have a lot to offer but my anxiety gets in the way. I have tried things on my own like positive thinking and mediation but it hasn't worked. Even when my mind is saying 'you'll be fine' and feeling calm, my body just automatically starts the anxiety symptoms (tight chest, sweating, heart palpitations...i thought i was having a friggin heart attack at first!!)
When having a conversation with other people, particuarly new people, I dont feel normal. I am constantly watching what i am saying, worrying about what i look like to the other person and how i am coming across. it is terrible!! I dont want to keep living like this.
I am thinking about going on medication. I know some people don't agree with medication but to be honest i just think if it helps with my anxiety symptoms it is worth it because i just cant waste any more of my life living like this. I want to start living, really living!!!
