Do you feel weird?

I just can't help thinking/feeling that there is really something tragically wrong with me. I don't seem to be the same as other people. Even in a group of us all suffering from depression/anxiety I stand out like a sore thumb. I hate it. I can't talk. Everyone else seems so able to talk about themselves and I just sit there dumbfounded. How do they do it? I can't say a word. I sit through each session praying that I'm not called on to do or say anything. And praying for help so that I don't go running out the door before we are finished. It makes my world so sad and lonely, but I can't seem to learn how to fix it.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hello jean17: Yes, I have always sort-of felt this way too. There has always been so much despair buried deep in my psyche, I have never even been able to begin to put it into words. And on the few occasions when I have tried to at least chip away at the periphery, it has just come out sounding foolish, leaving me feeling exposed.

I don't know that I have any particularly useful suggestions for you here, since this is a problem I have never really been able to overcome in my own life. Would it be of any help if you wrote about how you feel? Several years ago, I participated in the annual on-line novel-writing event that is on the Nanowrimo website. It's sort-of like a marathon for writers. The object is to write a 50,000 word (as I recall) novel in 30 days. Anyway, I just wrote a "novel" based on myself. And, since no one else sees it, I could just write whatever I felt. It was cathartic. Perhaps if you did some writing, of some sort, with regard to your deepest feelings, it would help you to develop ways to put what you feel into words.

Beyond that, I think it's simply a matter of practice. If you can, try expressing what you feel in discussions with just one or two trusted friends. This may make it easier & more comfortable for you to express yourself in groups.

I wish you well...

I can relate to the way you are feeling. I've been feeling like that for a while now. I haven't always felt this way but lately I've definitely felt it. Even with my best friend. I don't feel like I fit in. I can't relate to her or anyone else. I miss jokes and feel stupid. I try to avoid contact with others as much as possible. It's good to know I'm not alone but I am sorry you are suffering.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I feel that way when my depression and anxiety are high. I will dissociate in a group and feel completely disconnected, like everyone else is sharing an experience and I'm just THERE. Honestly, as cliche as it sounds, I think it just takes time to get comfortable enough to be able to process what's going on.

I always feel self-conscious, even in a group of like-minded people. It's like whatever I say or type is going to come out wrong and upset someone. I don't know about going around it except to counteract the distorted thinking and develop self-confidence somehow.

The only way I've found to stop feeling weird is to stop comparing myself to others.

Then I feel normal.

i relate to so much here that it kind of hurts tbh...

Many thanks for all the help. It is good to feel "the same" for once. God bless you.

This is so triggering because it is exactly the way I have felt for years and still do. I can't offer any ideas because I live and work in the real world so even though I don't compare myself much it is just so obvious to others because they comment on things. It sucks to be weird.

It has been my observation that normal people are more inclined to:

judge others according to weight, social status, fashion, etc.; bully others, make fun of others, chase the almighty dollar, call for war, know more about Kim Kardashian than they do about their wife - or themselves, be mean to animals, etc.

It has also been my observation that weird people are more inclined to:

be accepting of others, empathize, show kindness to those who are weaker, believe people are more important than things, etc.

I suspect that many of your observations have been the same. Normal is over-rated.

i often feel this way at my brother and sister in laws home for christmas or thanksgiving parties. it is no secret this woman doesn't like me. we put on faces for each other. i know inside she has a hard time accepting me. touch'e

I go through this same type of thing as well. All of the time.

I struggle to relate to large groups of people, and when they start talking about things I'm interested in, sometimes I almost keep quiet, as if I know nothing about what they're talking about (when in reality, I'm just as enthused as they are).

I also sometimes worry if family members see me as "strange" based on my interests or personality, when I'm only being myself. I'm not into any truly deviant behaviors and have less to "hide" than many people, but I still feel I'm being judged when I go over to their respective houses.

I tell friends about certain new interests I have and they aren't that keen to reply. Not everyone's into video games and cartoons, but then again I'm not into getting blackout drunk and bringing home strangers for the night (I mean no offense if this sounds elitist or snooty).

An obvious statement, but I sympathize the most with outcast, strange or introverted fictional characters. They almost always have something to contribute regardless of who they are. On a similar note, never have I ever laughed while someone was being made fun of by others. I kept quiet because I knew how they felt.

Some of us are wired differently. We function better in certain situations than others, and with people we're comfortable talking to. Sometimes that's all right. I find it takes time for me to "warm up" to people. Other times I'm just as lost and intimidated.

What society accepts is making less sense by the day. I think there's many people out there that feel the same way. The true challenge is finding them and being weird together.

"And the wrong words make you listen
In this criminal world
Remember it's true, loyalty is valuable
But our lives are valuable too"
DAVID BOWIE