Hello, I am new here. I have no one to talk to. I have no friends anymore, and my family is only my mom and brother. I have a boyfriend, but it's probably not a healthy relationship. I keep blowing opportunities because of my social anxiety. I just want to talk to someone who understands because the few people I have to talk to don't really listen, and give empty advice like, "Who cares what people think?!!" On top of that, they turn around and ask for my help with something. I'm really struggling, and even though I say so, people seem to ignore it and keep needing my help for their problems. I've always tried to be there for others, but when you have nothing left, and some people won't even try to help themselves, it gets to be too much. I'm in the process of getting to a doctor. I saw my doctor early last month. She diagnosed dysthymia and social anxiety disorder, but that came to a halt when the office said I needed to resolve an insurance issue before I could come back. I had been prescribed venlafaxine 37.5mg, and had a reaction. I couldn't even get a hold of the doctor, or get back in for an appt. Now, I have new insurance and a new doctor, but couldn't get in until the 17th. Today, I quit a volunteer job that I just started because I became physically sick before I was supposed to go. I ended up just not going, and now I feel even sicker with regret. I liked what I was going to be doing, but the people really intimidated me. They were cool, successful, and outgoing. I felt extremely inferior, and I'm too old to still be like this (35.) Now, I get to be home thinking of what I've been going to school for is a waste, and what on earth will I do, if I can't even do something that I should enjoy just because of social anxiety. I don't have kids, or anything else really fulfilling like that. Well, I have cats, but then I worry how they won't be around forever. It's all just one big knot of worry and hopelessness.

[Skeezyks]

Hello EasyPeezy: I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

[Sunflower123]

I'm sorry you're having a hard time. You're not alone. I've had social anxiety most of my life (I'm 49) and it has ruined many things for me as well. I have regrets for not pushing through the fear which only lowers my self esteem and makes me berate myself. People mean well but they just don't get it. I'm here for you if you need to talk.

Thank you Jennifer. It feels better to just be acknowledged as having a legitimate problem. People in my life just dismiss it as if it has more to do with will power or something. I've been there for others when they have had health concerns, but somehow mine do not seem important or real to them. Their judgment after this failure makes it all much much worse. I just wanted to thank you for relating. It helped a lot.