social anxiety - feeling like a deer in headlights...

Does anyone else get this?

When i am in a social situation, for example, sitting with a group of four friends, I constantly feel like Im being examined..and i feel like I am like a deer caught in headlights, literally frozen with, not quite fear...that isint it..but anxiety. When people look at me I get urges of panic and stutter my words.. or ill try to pick at something near me to keep my hands busy. I have almost gotten to the point of avoiding it altogether, though I have found having friends visit ME doesnt seem to be AS BAD, but is still pretty stressful.

Luckily I have an appointment with the pdoc tomorrow, Ive missed the last two because I was ill/slept in.

I had such a bad day today, lots of arguing with the ex i now live with, he said some things, i cried a alot.. hes apologized since but its left me shaken and not quite right.

I took two clonazepam but im still feeling wiry and on edge. Dont know how im going to get to sleep tonight to get up for my appointment at ten thirty.

I want to crawl under a rock.

HI Rainbow, I hope you can manage to make it to your pdoc appointment, it may help ease your anxiety a little just knowing you were able to take a postive step for yourself. Take care.

I know exactly how you feel. It's sickening, isn't it? I've found some relief, however, by merely challenging the feelings. It took a long time, but after a while it accumulates. I tell myself to look closely around and see that, in actuality, no one is looking at me, or even gives a care. Another problem I had was with personalization, like when I would walk by a crowd, and coincidentally they burst into laughter, I'd think they were laughing at me. But, using the same move, I'd see that they really weren't, and probably hadn't even seen me.

But its tough, social anxiety; I still have a quite a problem with it, though I'm getting better. I wish you luck.

P.S. for anybody-- can someone define "pdoc" for me?

Gosh, I'm sorry you feel this way. I have felt this way before many times.
When I would get around people, I would be so tense and couldn't say a sentence that made sense. I would just want to run and hide.
My meds help me alot with that.
I hope you will get better soon.
Hugs,
Boopers

i apologize for our shorthand..... Pdoc means psychiatrist.

(((((((((( Rainbowzz )))))))))))))

I hope you are ok.

Let us know how you are.

Hi Rainbowzz

Has any medical professional ever recommended Paxil to you? It is for social anxiety disorder.

Take Care

I definitely get this, even when the only people around me are strangers, like in a store, but also when I know the peple, like at work. To me, it's a mix of my anxiety disorder and my struggle to keep my self-esteem up. It's made me a perfectionist about my looks, so everything has to be in place or I just don't want to go. I was in a support group once that challenged me to go out in public with my shirt untucked. It was really uncomfortable for me, but it forced me to see my problem and to see that everything was still o.k. even if people saw me as less than perfect.

My advice is to consider whether this problem for you is both one of anxiety and self-esteem, or just anxiety. If it's both, maybe some self-esteem building work can help. Either way, know that you are not alone in your struggle and please be patient with yourself.

Be well,

mtd

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your replies! I am going to bring this up with the "Pdoc" when I go.

Its nice to know I am not alone in all this.

pilatus, paxil was tried and gave me a very bad reaction when I was a teen so they havent tried it again. Right now im taking Effexor Xr, Zyprexa and clonazepam. I am currently weaning off of effexor since the doctor thinks its actually making me worse rather than better. But, this is something that i have experienced for a long time, not necessarily med related, but i do think that we just havent found the right combination yet.

In the mean time I am trying to just focus on..not focusing on the people around me so much, even though that might not be the best thing and is kind of avoidant. For the time being it is keeping me sane(er) than normal.

I know how you feel. I was at a small party Fri. nite with a group of my friends. I just feel so different from everyone else. I feel that life has no meaning for me anymore. I don't enjoy doing things that I used to like. It is just easier to be alone. I know that I need some meds but I just can't afford it at this time. I hope yours are helping you.

Hi Rainbowzz

Have you ever tried CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and try to list the most scary social situation to the least scary social situation.......and gradually expose yourself to them with the aid of a therapist? As for meds....Celexa?

(((((((((((((((( Rainbowzz )))))))))))))))

good luck to you...Hope the Pdoc can help you....I am socially afraid also...so I know how hard it can be...!! I think finding the right combination of meds can do the trick...at least that is what I am hoping!!

I can definetly relate. I don't feel like I fit in anywhere or have anything in common with anyone. When I am around people I struggle with what to say and worry that it may sound stupid. I worry about how I look, and just worry about everything. I make myself crazy. It is hard to live this way and I'm sorry I don't have any helpful advice, just letting you know your not alone. Hope things get better for you.

Rainbowzz
I know how you feel its a struggle for me to even go out and deal with people i cant walk anywhere i totaly avoid having to speak to people or deal with them . Man i cant even take my car to a garage for fear that the people are laughing and talking the pi.. . i get so nervous sumtimes that i often behave irationaly i feel im out of control when i get like that. i hope you feel better soon ..

i hope you have a better day today!!!! love, pat

thanks pat.

In fact i am feeling a bit better i think. These new meds seem to be working quite well for me.

Glad to hear that.
I tend to get anxious at work. I worry about what the boss, supervisors, co-workers and customers think of me. When a customer asks me a question and I don't know the answer, I have a long pause in there. I just hate to admit that I don't know where something is. But, the store has been remodeled last month and I don't know where everything in the store is yet. I have even had dreams about my fears at work. I noticed today that I had a somewhat longer conversation with the teller at the bank (people who are dressed up or authority figures intimidate me worse than normal situations). I hate helping people with the kodak picture maker at work. I just don't feel competent at anything. If a customer complains about a price in an arguementative way, I get nervous. I have gotten to the point that I don't call a supervisor to avoid customer confrontation (competitor's coupons, etc) as much. My assistant manager mentioned this problem in my performance review.