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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarita0001 on December 6, 2003, at 22:19:24
Hi,
I was just wondering if anyone else here struggles with social anxiety. Through therapy, I've come to the realization that I've dealt with social anxiety my whole life-but about 3 months ago realized that it was actually social anxiety/OCD and not shyness. It's totally getting me down. What I hate is that people notice- or I guess I am paranoid because I think they do. I am in school and last semester I was a different person-I was much more outgoing because I was doing well. This semester I am so withdrawn and since most of us know each other I am sure people noticed. Not to mention all these med changes have made my face break out pretty badly(stress, too)- so that makes me self-conscious too. Before I could hide what was going on with me and now it seems I can't. I hate that. There's a lot more behind the story but I just want to be myself again. Whoever that is. Thanks for listening.
Sara
Posted by JimD on December 7, 2003, at 1:54:44
In reply to social anxiety-arrghh...., posted by sarita0001 on December 6, 2003, at 22:19:24
I feel your pain. It's funny: some days are great, and some days are terrible. Last night, for example, I was having a great time. I didn't care about a thing in the world and was having the time of my life with friends at a bar...total social butterfly. Tonight, I went out and was frozen like a deer in headlights all evening. I didn't want to leave the house, but forced myself to go for fear of letting anxiety take control of my life.
Every day is a challenge. I think breathing is important, as silly as that my sound. Concentrating on deep breaths helps me tremendously. Also, remind yourself of who you are: All of your strengths, why people should want to talk to you, etc.
Posted by Kalamatianos on December 9, 2003, at 0:37:02
In reply to social anxiety-arrghh...., posted by sarita0001 on December 6, 2003, at 22:19:24
15 years ago, someone told me over coffee that if I compare my insides to other people's outsides, I'll come in second everytime. I studied that for awhile and I must say, its probably been 10 years now since I worried about what other people think about me and what I might do, right or wrong.
Another epiphany happened when I learned to separate who-I-is from what-I-does, also about 10 years ago. Takes time. But whether I practiced or not, I got to be 10 years older anyway, in spite of myself. Glad I practiced, now stuff no longer bugs me (it didn't take all 10 years either).
Posted by sarita0001 on December 9, 2003, at 17:22:45
In reply to Re: social anxiety-arrghh.... » sarita0001, posted by Kalamatianos on December 9, 2003, at 0:37:02
hi,
thanks for the thoughts everyone. today i didn't want to go to school but did and it was fine! i actually talked to alot of people. usually i think things are worse than they really are. thank god the semester is over this week and i can give myself a break til next year!
sara
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