[Sarah_Forester]

I can't relax around people. When others are around I can't stop worrying about what they think of me. I can't sleep with others in the room because I'm afraid that if I roll over or even breathe too loud I'll disturb them. If I read around others I'm afraid that I'm reading too slow and that they're keeping track of how long it takes me to turn a page or they will judge me based upon what I'm reading. I can't even sit around people because I worry that my posture is too tense or too awkward and that they are wondering why I'm just sitting there. I know all of this is ridiculous but I can't stop thinking about it.

The problem is I'm supposed to move in with two other girls tomorrow. Last year I was so tense around my roommate that she thought I didn't like her and left after a week. I'm so afraid that the same thing will happen again. I need to figure out how to relax around people. Any advice from anyone would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sarah

[e_sort]

your symptoms sound familiar to me in a lot of ways, not all of them, but still. i've also been in the position of driving people away not because i didn't like them but they thought i didn't because i was acting so weird thinking they wouldn't like me. I have a diagnosis of OCD and take prozac now, which has really helped. It's not an 100% turn around but a lot of the burden of being me has been lifted.

i guess i don't really have a point but maybe it gives you food for thought. when i first started reading OCD forums earlier this year it was a revelation to me that so many people thought the way i did.

[Sannah]

Hi Sarah, it sounds like you could benefit from some boundaries to divide yourself from other people a little bit better. It is much easier to function when you feel good and strong about yourself and you surround yourself with healthy boundaries to protect yourself from others and to keep their opinions, their emotions and expectations to themselves. It doesn't even sound like anyone is being pushy around you. Sounds like you are just very "other" oriented and seek feedback from others on how you are doing. This is a recipe for disaster (as you have found). I am sure that something in your upbringing led you in this direction.