[AnimatedOutcast]

I think I have some kind of social anxiety disorder. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I'm expected to talk with people or interact with people I get really nervous. In these situations I cannot bring myself to speak unless someone speaks directly to me, in which case I get even more nervous and I'm afraid they'll judge me or criticize me. The only times I feel comfortable talking to someone is if I know them very well or if the topic of conversation is something that I have an interest in. I would like to know if I could be medicated for this, because it really bothers me. I literally CANNOT walk up to someone (sometimes even if I know the person) and start a conversation with them or even greet them. If someone even LOOKS at me I get anxious immediately and I feel like they're criticizing me or making fun of me. I'm afraid to make eye contact with people because I'm afraid they'll want to talk to me. I'm afraid to let people know me because I'm worried that they'll make fun of me, that they won't take me seriously, or they'll take advantage of me. This is why I stay in my room alone, just about every day

[Umbral_Seraph]

It does sound like you do have some kind of anxiety problem. Yes, you can get medication to help with this. You will have the greatest success if you also get therapy to help you deal with the anxiety so you won't have to rely on medications. It definantly sounds like this anxiety is interfering with your functioning, so go to a psychiatrist and get evaluated. You should also find a therapist. Hope you feel better.

[danii24]

yes i agree with umbral seraph it does like anxiety and its putting a hold on your life. i no how you feel im at home all day by myself as well. i dnt mind 1 or 2 people but when it comes to social events and even just going into town shopping etc. i get very anxious. i keep my head down avoiding people not because im ignorant but because im afraid really. Can you go to a therapist or your doctor. i no it can be awful lonely at times. if it wasnt for my 6yr old son i would be completely alone

[with or without you]

yep, sounds like social anxiety to me...I have the same thing. Get help now (I know it's so hard to open up to people) but trust me, it will ruin your life if you don't try to change. Don't just seek meds, a lot of them have side effects when both starting and stopping...see a counselor, psychologist etc.

[Nemor]

Hi, Animated. I just thought I'd let you know that I can really relate to what you describe, and so you're not alone.

I have not been diagnosed (in the process of working up to getting in to see a psychologist, which is a loooong time coming), but I have known for years that I suffer from social anxiety. My fear is more of being a bother to people, than of them criticizing me, however. Everything I say makes me feel like an idiot; I'm afraid that talking will make people realize how much of an idiot I am, or that the more I talk, the more I am bothering them--and if that happens, they won't like me and they'll abandon me.

I definitely cannot speak to strangers, either! I'm only really comfortable around people I know very well (which, IRL, is only my partner; I don't really have any other friends). If my landlord knocks on my door unexpectedly, I panic and hide and pretend I'm not there. I hate making phone calls to book appointments or things like that--any time I have to use a phone, I get really shaky, my heart pounds, my voices gets all shakey too. Eek, no thank you! I have a hard time getting out, too. I tell myself every day, I'm going to go out for a walk, or out to the coffee shop--of course, I rarely do. And it's because I'm anxious, though I don't understand what exactly is stopping me. I mean, going out--it's a perfectly normal thing, which should be pretty easy, right? Apparently not :P

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know I can relate, and you're not alone. Anxiety sucks! I would definitely suggest getting into therapy when you feel you are ready for that. *hugs* Wishing you the best of luck, Animated!

[Insomnia Island]

I have the same problem.

[AnimatedOutcast]

Thanks for all the support everyone!

[Liam Grey]

Originally Posted by with or without you

yep, sounds like social anxiety to me...I have the same thing. Get help now (I know it's so hard to open up to people) but trust me, it will ruin your life if you don't try to change. Don't just seek meds, a lot of them have side effects when both starting and stopping...see a counselor, psychologist etc.

Totally agree with this advices. I have social anxiety too and it totally screwed my adolescence and my very early twenties... luckily I started seriously working on it in the last years (with the help of a therapist), and while it's a difficult, slow and REALLY painful process, I feel like I would never go back to the previous me and all the pain, the embarassment and every single jump in the scary stuff that I used to avoid before was well versed. I still have soo much to work on, but I'm glad of the step I took.

Try to find some help yourself, if you feel you can't move out on your own.

[Perna]

I think a lot of our problems with relating to other people is lack of experience. We have such good little imaginations and so little actual experience it's easy to build up what "might" happen into something huge; make a mountain out of a mole hill.

I spend a lot of time "practicing" on store clerks I practice saying hello and seeing if I can read their name tag quickly so it doesn't show that I read their name tag, LOL and greet them by name. Often they'll say something about the weather or how they feel (tired) or I'll say something about the weather if it's pouring outside (they're stuck inside, remember, and often can't really see out of windows, etc.) or too hot and go from there. The last good conversation I had, was one of the really hot days here in the 100's and the clerk had no air conditioning in her apartment! We talked together and decided she wouldn't go home, when her boyfriend came to pick her up they'd just go somewhere where it was cool (even the car would be cooler!). Then she felt bad for her poor parakeet stuck in her apartment :-) but I reminded her that it was a tropical bird so probably okay for a bit/until it got a bit cooler in the evening/night.

But after awhile, after doing some successful talking to store clerks, it's not so hard to talk to other people, you kind of get the rhythm of the thing and can just share chit chat without all the what-will-they-think distraction going on in your head.

[jk2833]

Originally Posted by AnimatedOutcast

I think I have some kind of social anxiety disorder. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I'm expected to talk with people or interact with people I get really nervous. In these situations I cannot bring myself to speak unless someone speaks directly to me, in which case I get even more nervous and I'm afraid they'll judge me or criticize me. The only times I feel comfortable talking to someone is if I know them very well or if the topic of conversation is something that I have an interest in. I would like to know if I could be medicated for this, because it really bothers me. I literally CANNOT walk up to someone (sometimes even if I know the person) and start a conversation with them or even greet them. If someone even LOOKS at me I get anxious immediately and I feel like they're criticizing me or making fun of me. I'm afraid to make eye contact with people because I'm afraid they'll want to talk to me. I'm afraid to let people know me because I'm worried that they'll make fun of me, that they won't take me seriously, or they'll take advantage of me. This is why I stay in my room alone, just about every day

Hi there I'm exactly the same and I will only go to places where upon I know the people there,such as my doctors.
This has lead to agraphobia and now my local social security office is sending me to back to work interviews!do they not realise how this phobia affects us?
So many are ignorant to this condition it infuriates me so much
Take care
Jk

[why_all_alone]

I feel similar and am afraid of what people think of me. Really this is in your mind...medication is not an answer in my opinion , at least not until you really really try to take some risks. Practice on strangers and see what happens. Keep topics basic like movies, music, weather and if all is comfortable ask more personal questions. I am friends with people at work and have started to communicate better with them. But to take things farther than that, like hanging out with them away from work. I'm scared shitless. I see huge improvements in myself though after only a month of really trying. Talking with people comes alot more natural. However I still haven't connected with anyone enough to say I've made a close friend or anything. I also spend most nights alone in my room, it does suck...but please don't give up.

You are not alone, as you can see by your responses.....

peace

[clouds_and_sun]

Originally Posted by AnimatedOutcast

I think I have some kind of social anxiety disorder. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I'm expected to talk with people or interact with people I get really nervous. In these situations I cannot bring myself to speak unless someone speaks directly to me, in which case I get even more nervous and I'm afraid they'll judge me or criticize me. The only times I feel comfortable talking to someone is if I know them very well or if the topic of conversation is something that I have an interest in. I would like to know if I could be medicated for this, because it really bothers me. I literally CANNOT walk up to someone (sometimes even if I know the person) and start a conversation with them or even greet them. If someone even LOOKS at me I get anxious immediately and I feel like they're criticizing me or making fun of me. I'm afraid to make eye contact with people because I'm afraid they'll want to talk to me. I'm afraid to let people know me because I'm worried that they'll make fun of me, that they won't take me seriously, or they'll take advantage of me. This is why I stay in my room alone, just about every day

WOW this sounds so much like me, you and I are so much alike, I am in my 30's and I still struggle with these issues. If you want someone to talk to please feel free to PM me. Just want to let you know that you are not alone. Many to you!

[rabog]

Originally Posted by AnimatedOutcast

I think I have some kind of social anxiety disorder. Whenever I find myself in a situation where I'm expected to talk with people or interact with people I get really nervous. In these situations I cannot bring myself to speak unless someone speaks directly to me, in which case I get even more nervous and I'm afraid they'll judge me or criticize me. The only times I feel comfortable talking to someone is if I know them very well or if the topic of conversation is something that I have an interest in. I would like to know if I could be medicated for this, because it really bothers me. I literally CANNOT walk up to someone (sometimes even if I know the person) and start a conversation with them or even greet them. If someone even LOOKS at me I get anxious immediately and I feel like they're criticizing me or making fun of me. I'm afraid to make eye contact with people because I'm afraid they'll want to talk to me. I'm afraid to let people know me because I'm worried that they'll make fun of me, that they won't take me seriously, or they'll take advantage of me. This is why I stay in my room alone, just about every day

I sure can relate to this too. When I do get out, say to the grocery store, I also avoid eye contact and will often hide if I see an acquaintance. Whats often just as bad is after social interactions... they keep replaying and replaying in my head with all my errors or stupid comments highlighted and my anxiety spikes again. I too need to see a therapist; however I a) can't afford it b) am pretty scared of doctors. I was forced into seeing a general practitioner who prescribed me medications that help some but I agree with other posters it really should at least be combined with therapy. I think therapy could have prevented this incident a couple weeks ago where I got too anxious to call in my refill. I ended up waiting almost a week before my husband ended up helping me but it took two more weeks to get it because the clinic is only open one day a week.
Anyhow... I hope you feel better!

[sunset30]

I totally undersatnd to i have GAD,social anxiety and intimitant agrophobia depression to...i didnt realise how much this has effected my life from such a young age. I have tried lots of different medsand therapies in the past and nothing really i stuck to long enough. But im 33yrs old and i'm trying different meds and pursuing councelling and hopefully will see my life chnage...fingers crossed..

I know its hard to change as it is scarey but it can be done with baby steps. Maybe speak to your doctor tell them how you feel or write it down. maybe take someone with you for support and ask if you can be refered you your local mental health team. They will be able to offer you all the support you need or refer you to someone who can help you. Good luck. Remember your not alone theres lots of use Big hugx

[gma45]

I have been having this problem lately and I sure don't like it. I have to force myself out of the house to meetings then once I get there I have a real hard time speaking to any one. I don't understand it. I used to be and I still consider myself a people person. The anxiety has just been so over whelming that I just freeze! I wish I could just be like everyone else. I think that is why I procrastinate doing anything because of the anxiety.

[Phoboxyl]

OP, that is classic Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia). Get professional help and start doing "home-work" immediately (get the "Feeling Good Handbook" by Dr. David Burns and follow the instructions). This disorder will never go away on its own and it could easily turn into a life-long condition that will continue to strip all meaning and happiness from your life. You must prevent this from happening before it's too late and your life has passed you by.