The details of your SA

[Steppen-Wolf]

After reading this forum I must say I found myself a little surprised as to how serious this disorder seems to be on some people, as I always felt I was pretty much bottom of the barrel.

In perspective, some aspects of my social interaction come very close to being "normal", while others are far more problematic.

For example, I can actually be really extroverted among the right people, particularly females (more so than with men, oddly enough).

I'm not extremely shy or awkward around extrangers.

Also, I'm usually recognized as the best public speaker in my class, while almost surely being the only one suffering from SA.

On the other hand, at age 21 I've never had a girlfriend (except for an online relationship that ended in an emotional catastrophe), I can't really say I've ever had a close friend in real life, and when I don't have to go to class or attend to some other responsability I can spend many days without leaving my home, as I share very little in the way of common interests with my fellow countrymen and women, and by no means do I have the charm or social skills to fit in despite that.

I also suffer from an anxiety disorder and I'm a hypochondriac that has suffered three mayor panic attacks (the last and worst led to me being rushed to the E.R., as I genuinely felt that I was dying), and yet at times I feel almost like a normal person.

Does anyone else experience this sort of contrasts with their SA?

 

[Beatrice]

After reading this forum I must say I found myself a little surprised as to how serious this disorder seems to be on some people, as I always felt I was pretty much bottom of the barrel.

In perspective, some aspects of my social interaction come very close to being "normal", while others are far more problematic.

For example, I can actually be really extroverted among the right people, particularly females (more so than with men, oddly enough).

I'm not extremely shy or awkward around extrangers.

Also, I'm usually recognized as the best public speaker in my class, while almost surely being the only one suffering from SA.

On the other hand, at age 21 I've never had a girlfriend (except for an online relationship that ended in an emotional catastrophe), I can't really say I've ever had a close friend in real life, and when I don't have to go to class or attend to some other responsability I can spend many days without leaving my home, as I share very little in the way of common interests with my fellow countrymen and women, and by no means do I have the charm or social skills to fit in despite that.

I also suffer from an anxiety disorder and I'm a hypochondriac that has suffered three mayor panic attacks (the last and worst led to me being rushed to the E.R., as I genuinely felt that I was dying), and yet at times I feel almost like a normal person.

Does anyone else experience this sort of contrasts with their SA?

Yes. I realized the exact same thing - that compared to many people on here, I don't have it quite as bad... but what I DO struggle with is still painful enough to frustrate and depress me.

 

[NewtoThis]

Same goes for me too. Though I'm not a hypochondriac...

I'm able to work at a job that requires a lot of customer interaction but it's okay for me because it has a structure. What I really struggle with are phone calls, strangers, and talking to acquaintances.

I never consider the people I know friends, they're all acquaintances until they've talked to me for over two years and told me they're my friend.

Haven't even made acquaintances in college and I've been here for almost three years...

 

[bigcat1967]

I have problems talking to people. However, the real strange thing is that I'm afraid to talk to people that are better looking than me. Crazy!!!

 

[Kat]

I’d say mine is pretty generalized I feel it in most situations except with my bf and I do get anxious around him but social phobia anxiety is not triggered because of him.

I have to be pretty systematic about things in order for me to go through with it. I am able to do most things that my mind deem necessary but if its things like going to social situations that I don’t see are important, I usually don’t bother.

 

[nicole1]

I've had boyfriends. Mostly nerdy or geeky guys, kinda like myself.

I don't get along with many people. I'm either too serious...or talk at them or over their heads... Bad social skills... I didn't realize that until this year, lol. It's hard to interact with some people but I have made tons of friends here and there, through other friends or through my younger brother and I've made some online. Most of my friends think I'm weird or crazy...

It's taking me a long time to finish school. When things get tough and I feel more anxious, I stay at home and do nothing. I withdrew from classes b/c this. I also make low grades. I've had a few successful classes if I discuss the problem, but some professors have seen much bs that they don't believe me.

I can't sit in a meeting or at a full place like a restaurant without feeling...shaky. Someone mentioned head tremors. I get those. And it's hard to sit in front of everyone and manage myself and these tremors. I usually feel shakey all over,though.

I def can't speak in front of people. I'm always seen as serious. I don't want to be bothered with people or to bother them either. I like being to myself more, at home, maybe watching a show or reading. That scares me b/c one therapist said it wasn't normal. But...it makes me feel comfortable.

The worse situation I've been through: I was in the marching band. I could not get out b/c it was a grade... yet I couldn't play b/c I was affraid of playing a wrong note. I was mocked. I did drugs and drank to calm my nerves but I was just worse off. After this, I opened up about what was going on.

Because of this thing, I've not been able to go to church or any where that requires I sit or speak or perform in a room full of people.

 

[Metal_isthe_Answer]

I hate meeting new people, if I say anything dumb I think about it for months.
Some people seem to think Im a nice guy but I take things too serious, I think Im a complete A-hole.
I have had 1 short lived relationship, the biggest problems for me is that I have a very hard time talking to women Im interested in and I think of course it shows. The only thing I can think is that Id better not even try cause I know exactly what the response and result will be.
Ive become very anti social, I refuse to do something as simple as go see a movie by myself. I always feel like everyone sees me a complete tard.
I grew up overweight, by the time I was 17 I was 310 lbs, now Im 215 or so but I still think of myself as this morbidly obese jerk.
The major thing as far as relationships go is that I refuse to compromise my principles, I dont smoke, I dont drink, and refuse to just settle for someone who does. I also find it really hard to find heavy women attractive, and I feel terrible for it, what right do I have to single someone out who has the same weight problem I used to?
And as far as friends go, I can think of 4, 2 who live to far to see often, and one who works a different shift as me so I dont see him, basically I have 1 friend I see and talk to often, but I always think I wont come across anyone I would care to know so I just sit in the house and play xbox for about 8 hours a day.

Anyways Im rambling, and this is easily the longest post Ive ever done