[MiamiSteve]

Hi all,

To lead, I'm aware that my post is something best suited for a visit to a professional, but I'm not ready for that yet. Any help would be appreciated.

I don't find anything fun. I've done research, but all I cant find is "I can't have fun ANYMORE". This isn't my problem, as I've never been able to have fun.

Growing up, my parents used to bribe me or persuade me into participating in activities most people would find fun. I spent my whole life acting like I love sports just because it helped me fit in with everyone else. Now that I've moved away from home (22 years old) I'm having problems adapting to life. Friends constantly ask me to spend time with them, but I avoid it because I don't find it pleasurable.

I currently have a girlfriend (dating for 4 years) who forces me to go out every once in a while. She's set rules that we go to parties and clubs at least once a year. We also visit old friends to play board games and socialize at least twice a month. I appreciate that she's doing this for me because it helps me feel like I'm a part of society. During days she works, I spend the entire time on my laptop or watching TV while sitting on the couch, only getting up to eat or use the bathroom.

It's gotten to the point that our relationship is falling apart because of my lack of excitement. She's getting tired of having to come up with "fun" ideas all of the time. She also tries to engage in play fighting with me to stimulate excitement, but it only leads to me getting angry.

I've never been able to learn how to show the correct reaction to gift receiving. For example, my reaction was the same when my friend gifted me his passed father's guitar as it was when I received a simple "happy birthday" card from an acquaintance.

Any time I try a new activity, I feel like it's just because I'm trying to behave how a normal emotional person behaves.

I feel as if I spend my entire life learning how others react to situations, so that I may learn how to behave when I'm placed in the same situation. None of my reactions are natural; they're all acts.

If anyone can provide insight, it'd be appreciated. I know I should visit a professional, I just can't bring myself to it quite yet.

[pegasus]

Well, you know you really need to get an evaluation from a mental health professional. You don't need to live this way and feel like this. To me, it sounds like social anxiety and depression but we can't diagnose here. You can try some of the quizzes here too... https://psychcentral.com/quizzes/

[MiamiSteve]

Originally Posted by pegasus

Well, you know you really need to get an evaluation from a mental health professional. You don't need to live this way and feel like this. To me, it sounds like social anxiety and depression but we can't diagnose here. You can try some of the quizzes here too...

Thank you for the fast reply and the link. I'll be sure to check that out. I'm also going to research nearby professionals and try to persuade myself to go to one. I find that most online quizzes only include the option of lost excitement, rather than never having excitement in the first place. That's a good enough reason to speak to a real person. Again, thank you.

[Sunflower123]

Hello. Welcome to PC. I’m sorry you are having this challenge. I agree that a professional evaluation would be beneficial. I hope you get to the bottom of it.