Social cues, interactions and critical thinking impaired

[Ariel1212]

I have depression, anxiety and ADHD. I recently have only taken my adderal as I'm new to meds and dislike taking them but I have consistently taken that one Monday-Friday. I didn't give Zoloft or Paxil a chance. As long as I can remember, I have only been comfortable around immediate family and childhood friends. Any conservation/interaction with professors, coworkers and supervisors I swear, can't think clearly, mumble and sound rediculous. I'm a Therapist (one year) and still lack friendships at work or ability to think clearly and critically even while running groups. I don't know what to do about this as it's harming my career and self confidence. I want to be able to talk to friends, coworkers and clients with anxiety under control. I am sociable but hidden. What do I

Do? Traditional therapy doesn't work as the social anxiety kicks in.

[Hidden]

Hi nice to meet you. By traditional therapy I presume you mean the medical route? If you don't want to use meds or go to counselling then the only option is the self help one.

Self help routes include things like mindfullness, meditation, yoga etc. so have a look online. Good luck.

[Ariel1212 in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, I mean, psycho therapy. Sitting there and talking. My anxiety, fear of talking I guess, causes me to either suppress more or let it all out. But when I let it all out, it goes in a direction that I'm not comfortable with or the therapist will pick from my word vomit and start there but I don't necessarily want to go there or not ready so I bail. I have never been good with talking about my feelings, quite interesting since I'm a psycho therapist myself for children (1 year in)

[Hidden in reply to Ariel1212]

Counselling isn't an easy option coz obviously it brings up very painful feelings and emotions but is the only way is to deal with them otherwise nothing will change for you. You have to feel the pain to feel the gain.

I first went to counselling many years ago and yes it was hard and I got very upset at times but a good counsellor will never leave you feeling like that. It helped me a lot and validated my feelings.

When you are ready you will be able to do it. Good luck.

[gogogirl]

You sound like a good person. Give yourself a break as you are young. I am a much older person, and have expeerienced much of the same for many years.

[Ariel1212 in reply to gogogirl]

Thank you for your response and kind words. I hear what you are saying and it feels great, eyes water up and I shake it off and go back to facing life head on. I guess I just can't get out of my head because the first thing I do is deny compliments and actually respond with embarrassing statements or I look weird because I don't even know how to respond to a compliment these days.

[Hidden in reply to Ariel1212]

The best way if someone gives you a compliment is just to smile and say thank you. Have a plan like this and start practising it. It's not easy but then nothing worthwhile often is.

[gogogirl in reply to Ariel1212]

Maybe you're being too hard on yourself?