Posted by Janelle on March 19, 2002, at 23:43:47
In reply to Re: Could someone provide descrip. of Social Phobia, posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 17:58:26
Hi Mark,
You gave me a very thorough answer and for that I thank you!
Some of what you mentioned did indeed resonate with me, although I've never taken a personality inventory (I shudder to think how I'd score!)
I'm not *afraid* per se, but instead feel overwhelmed or like I can't cope with it when it comes to picking up the phone and calling people.
What you described about avoiding having to see someone you know in a supermarket really hit close to home because what prompted me to post this message was that I freaked out about what I found myself doing during my daily walk outside - there I was, walking along my usual route when up ahead I saw someone from the power company working right where I'd have to pass by. I felt my body tighten and noticed that there was a street I could turn down and walk on to avoid having to pass the electric worker so that is what I did. The reasons I felt I had to avoid him was that I simply felt self conscious in general and also didn't want to possibly have to say hi to him. Of course, it would only have been saying hi and I would have kept on walking, but I could not deal with it. This has NEVER happened to me before and it really worries me that I'm developing SP.
Thanks again for your response.
poster:Janelle
thread:98866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98945.html