Socially anxious and ...

Hello all,

I am extremely isolated because I don't behave well in social occasions, but also, I am extremely sensitive to how others talk and behave with me. For example, the other day, someone called me and was complaining about something, so I tried to give him an advice and encourage him by telling him what he could do, but he interrupted me with a little rise in his voice, as he was saying, I didn't ask your advice. Since then I haven't talked to him, and when I meet him accidentally I just keep it formal and short. Many occasions were like that, after which my view of these people is altered permanently. I have the feeling that to live your life you have to be bold and to be insensitive. Both are troublesome for me.

My question is: Is hyper sensitivity an attribute of social anxiety, or it is independent of it?

Thanks

Yes it is .. If I am someplace loud or crowded I will have tons more anxiety.. I often think people are raising there voice when in fact I am just hypersensitive to noise I cant control , my husband is a really loud talker when hes on the phone with someone, I dunno why , but he is and I often have to wander off away him as it drives me bonkers

Thanks for replying. Indeed, I feel I am sensitive to noise and light, but what I meant by sensitivity is to be fragile, that is to say, easily hurt by others' sayings, gestures, or behaviors.

I have Bipolar and sometimes I am in a bad place mentally and Im rolling in panic attacks and self loathing and sometimes my husband can look at me and I will think hes mad when he isn't , not at all .. So yes what your feeling can and does happen..

My question is: Is hyper sensitivity an attribute of social anxiety, or it is independent of it?

In your case, you are independent of it. He was insecure with him self, and any advice would be to hard for him to handle. He wanted to stay in his limited world. All he wanted to do is complain so he can continue to feel bad.

Actually, I am hyper sensitive, I know myself. I know he misbehaved, but most people would let go of it. If someone looks at his/her watch while talking to me, I would be irritated, even though he/she might have something to do. I would excuse him/her at the moment, but I would never forget it. Any gesture that shows disrespect from my point of view, will change my judgment of the person from whom it comes. So, I developed this strategy now to avoid people altogether. It is very very very painful and depressing, but to me pain from loneliness is milder than pain from talking to and mingling with people.