[37Stitches]

Have a new fear of being in public/people looking at me.. Is this part of the bipolar spectrum?

[kaliope]

hi 37stitches
i dont believe it is. it is more in line with an anxiety disorder. welcome to psych central. you will find we have several forums where you can post about your concerns and receive feedback from other members. you will get a lot of support here. again, welcome

[RisuNeko]

Anxiety disorders are very often comorbid with anxiety disorders and it's worse when you are depressed. I have generalized anxiety disorder and bipolar but I view them as separate.

[Ruftin]

(((37 stitches))) Hello and welcome to Psych Central!!! I have bipolar disorder which in my case has given me the tendency to self isolate. Because I do spend so much time alone (which I really don't mind) it does make going out and being around the public somewhat uncomfortable.

[Blitter2014]

Whenever I am in public or even with friends, I feel pressure to 'be normal'. This is despite my friends knowing I have bipolar. I am so aware that I do not want to sadden others, upset others, or make them think poorly of me, that it stops me from interacting, and quite often even going out in public situations. Easier to stay at home where it is safe and I do not have to 'perform'.

Yet I feel totally different when I am high. I can be the life of the party, and do not care what others think. I get my confidence back, act like a madman, and live for the joy that comes about from making others laugh and smile. I love feeling like that.

So, for me, it is more anxiety than bipolar that dictates how I act. But it is the bipolar that puts me into a depressive phase, that increases my anxiety, which in turn leads me to withdraw. I think one feeds of the other.