[Louesa2005]

Hey everyone,
I am new here, so sorry if I write a novel.
I have been struggling with anxiety for a very long time. I began noticing it in 7th grade. Anyways, I am at a difficult time in my life. I am just about ready to graduate from college and the change is not going well. I am not good with life changing events and they tend to push me over the edge.
I am over all a very happy person. I tend to refer to myself as an introvert in public and an extrovert at home. I am finding more and more that I shut down in social situations. I have a very bad habit of self-doubt. I always find a way to talk myself out of spending time with friends and end up alone. I have been trying to get a job, but I can't even seem to find the strength to put myself out there for that. I, most of the time, think of myself as unable to do certain tasks. It is not that I can't actually do them, but I tell myself constantly that I am not smart enough, not qualified, or not wanted. I hate that I do this to myself, but it is not something that I can control. As time passes, I fear that the anxiety and the self-loathing will only grow worse and I will continue to recede into my shell.
Some outside perspective on all of this would be greatly appreciated!

[glok]

Hello, Louesa2005. Is professional help an option?

[Louesa2005]

Originally Posted by glok

Hello, Louesa2005. Is professional help an option?

Hello,
yes, professional help is. I am meeting with a new therapist this week. Hopefully that will go well.

[pegasus]

Hello Louesa2005, welcome to Psych Central.

It sounds like you have very low self esteem and this can lead to social anxiety or anxiety in general. I think you would benefit from seeing your doctor about this for possible medication but also for psychotherapy as this is a very good tool for anxiety in particular. The therapist will be able to teach you some coping strategies for those anxiety provoking situations. You might also like to check out the Steps to Better Self-Esteem forum and the Anxiety, Panic and Phobias forum for more advice, tips and support. Change can be difficult but I think taking positive steps will help you see a way forward.

[kaliope]

hi louesa
I used to be filled with self doubt too, always coming up with ways to discredit myself. so I started by finding one undisputable fact about me. something that no matter how bad I felt, I couldn't say anything bad about it. I am an excellent professional writer. I write excellent reports. I have always gotten a's on my reports all through school and college. now I write reports for the court. so when I was down on myself, I could say, yeah, I suck at this, but I am an excellent writer and feel better. slowly I came up with more indisputable facts until I had a whole file in my head of good things about me. this greatly affected my self esteem. so try it, what is one good thing about you? 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