Hello,

I'm new here. I struggle with depression, ptsd, and impulse control problems. I've been trying to do business for myself, independently, as I am not quite fit to work. I'm doing the auction thing and attempting to "network," as it were.

The problem is I don't think I'm much of a networker. I get paranoid and I start thinking everyone is looking to discredit me or expose my history as a "crazy person." This is getting in the way of my communications with buyers and business partners. I have sometimes sent emails and then thought, wait, what if that didn't make sense?

I am also very, very careful not to reveal any information about myself, but this might be keeping people from trusting me. I don't know because it's not like I can just come out and ask them! All this business stuff is so subtle. I am always getting the sense that people say one thing and mean something different.

Maybe this is just not for me, I don't know. I have been selling successfully though, and I enjoy it, except when I get too anxious about what people might think.

I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who is self-employed or involved in business... how do you handle it? Thanks.

cthonica