Quote:
Originally Posted by Harley326
I think it would be nice to be able to attend a DBSA meeting or two and maybe even start meeting some friends or something, but I get really anxious at the thought of attending anything with people I've never met before. I'm afraid I'd completely freak out and embarrass myself or just turn around once I pulled into the parking lot. I've been told that it can actually make your anxiety worse to continuously give in to it. Logic, therefore, dictates that I should avoid giving into the anxiety by not putting myself into situations that make me anxious.  Okay, probably not the best solution, but it sounded good.
I'm not sure about the suicide prevention meetings because I'm not actively suicidal. I don't feel like I'm going to act on the suicide end of things, because I really don't feel depressed. I just don't think an accidental death would be the worst thing that could happen and the 'what if' thoughts are just kinda there every once in a while. |
I was and still am a little like you with the social anxiety. Just to give you an idea, I started working for a larger company about 4 years ago. For the first couple of years I would literally go hide in the corner at lunch rather than go sit with people in the cafe. I had the intensive outpatient program that I attended and the anxiety it produced made my asthmatic cough to act up so I would be just sitting there coughing continuously. Relationships, gave up on that 11 years ago. I finally started working through the fear by getting involved with various events. Best thing I ever did. Still feel odd but manageable anxiety. Definately helps to face your fears. The big thing holding me back in the depression and suicidal thought. Not sure how to tackle that.