[BiPolarJoe]

I am always trying to get a better handle on how bipolarity expresses itself in me and I find asking others how it affects them can shed some new light.

I am finally recognizing that whenever I get into a depressed state, my social anxiety goes through the roof...and it always has. I never separated it from being bipolar and wonder if it is a bipolar symptom or another underlying disorder in me. When I am "even" or leaning towards hypomania, I don't have any issues in social situations (I actually seek out interaction with others) but when I'm leaning towards or flat out in the middle of depression, SAD hits me hard.

By hitting me hard I mean family, friendly neighbors, going to the grocery store, phone calls, etc. all make me incredibly anxious to the point that I do whatever I can to avoid any interaction with others. I find myself isolating from others and home becomes the best place to be.

I am seeing my pdoc this afternoon to discuss this in length and will certainly share with you all what her thoughts on this are.

[UpDownAround]

BP Joe,
You are like my twin separated at birth. On so many topics, your posts are pretty spot on for me. On this one you are close but a little different. My social anxiety often takes the form of overthinking. I will still make phone calls, but I will plan exactly what I am going to say so I won't trip over words and sound stupid. I am talking about simple calls like scheduling service for my car. I get flustered easily - the simple calendar app will suddenly become difficult to use. I try to explain myself too much (this is why I try to plan what I will say). I feel like everyone will question why I think what I think and that my answers might not be good enough.

My superpower is I am not deathly afraid of being perceived as stupid sometimes. It is something I want to avoid, but I don't let fear of it shut me down. I cannot make myself not fear the possibility of it happening so I have managed to make the consequence less of a concern. So what if some guy who schedules car service at the dealer thinks I am nervous and stupid? Yeah, it bugs me a little and I will try to keep it from happening but I will go ahead and make the call. That's all I got...

[BiPolarJoe]

Originally Posted by UpDownAround

BP Joe,
You are like my twin separated at birth. On so many topics, your posts are pretty spot on for me. On this one you are close but a little different. My social anxiety often takes the form of overthinking. I will still make phone calls, but I will plan exactly what I am going to say so I won't trip over words and sound stupid. I am talking about simple calls like scheduling service for my car. I get flustered easily - the simple calendar app will suddenly become difficult to use. I try to explain myself too much (this is why I try to plan what I will say). I feel like everyone will question why I think what I think and that my answers might not be good enough.

My superpower is I am not deathly afraid of being perceived as stupid sometimes. It is something I want to avoid, but I don't let fear of it shut me down. I cannot make myself not fear the possibility of it happening so I have managed to make the consequence less of a concern. So what if some guy who schedules car service at the dealer thinks I am nervous and stupid? Yeah, it bugs me a little and I will try to keep it from happening but I will go ahead and make the call. That's all I got...

Thanks UpDownAround, do you manage your anxiety with any medication/s?

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by BiPolarJoe

Thanks UpDownAround, do you manage your anxiety with any medication/s?

I used to use alcohol. I wish that was a joke. Unfortunately, the tendency that made that a problem also makes the most likely effective anxiety meds a bad idea for me. My anxiety is "I really don't want to do that" not "I cannot do that" so I may not have it as bad as you.

[Miss Laura]

I have crippling social anxieties most of the time. Even leaving the house is a struggle let alone making a phone call. Even answering an email is tough going. I don't take any meds just see a Psychologist. Been seeing one since January this year.

[BiPolarJoe]

My pdoc has put me now on 0.5mg of Klonipin 2xdaily. If this can lift some or all of my social anxiety it will be much welcome in my medicine cabinet. I have a history of substance abuse including alcohol so these benzos make me and my pdoc nervous so we'll see how it goes.

[UpDownAround]

Substance abuse worries? More twinsies stuff...

In a perfect world where we wouldn't abuse it, it is hard to beat valium for anxiety. Unfortunately, I don't live in such a world...

[~Christina]

Yes ... When my Bipolar goes up or down the whole anxiety flies off the charts.

I have no great grand advice but just increase your self care and know that the only thing Bipolar does consistantly is cycle , It always cycles.