Do I really have depression and anxiety, or am I just shy?

[Rockerchick]

I really don't know what to say. I haven't been to a doctor yet but, I feel I get upset and cry over the stupidest shit. My friend has depression and she says I have it too but, idk.

[Hidden]

I used to think that I was just extremely shy. I would panic at parties, even if I was friends with majority of the people there. I would hate being in larger crowds, even if I loved what I was in the crowd doing. Like seeing my favorite band, football team, etc etc. I would make up excuses to get out of going to functions that were important because I didn’t want to be in public. I would always be like, “I’m just shy.” But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized it’s not shyness. I have social anxiety. It went from just a little bit, to completely extreme in a matter of months. I don’t know if you experience any of that, but if you cry over things that you don’t think is “normal” to cry about, maybe you do suffer from some form of depression or anxiety. I would recommend being seen by a doctor & they can determine that. Don’t let anyone tell you unless it is your doctor though. I wish you all the best & no matter what you suffer with, you can get through this & you’re not alone. <3 Good luck. Stay strong. xoxo

[quitter333 in reply to Hidden]

I believe that you should have just continued mingling with people.

It's like a dog who is afraid of thunder will eventually stop being afraid if he lives in a place where there is thunder 24/7. Exposure, exposure, exposure. Even panic phobias are treated with exposure.

[Hidden in reply to quitter333]

That makes sense, & I did continue to do that. I stopped mingling because of trauma in the end, not my social anxiety.

[quitter333]

Can I assume you are quite young? If so - puberty, and feeling emotional is ok.

Also well, try out if you are shy - THERE IS A HUGE CHANCE YOU HAVE NO MENTAL PROBLEMS compared to a chance you have any.

Test your shyness, I bet it will go away -

1. join some groups, seek out something that reuqires public exposure - dances, debates, imrov, drama etc. See how that changes your outlook.

2. Be more self-assured - look good, think good. Do exercises, set aim - for example girls usually want to be thin and have a butt, guys want bigger chest and arms - run and lift weights accordingly, and see how you feel, once you start looking better, as you imagined. I don't mean become a fitness nut, just run for 15 minutes every day and lift something heavy at least 2x a week.

Read and watch things you think are interesting. The smarter you will be the better you will feel.

3. Go out and force yourself to meet people. Yeah, fuck, it's better to awkwardly spend 1 week and get good for the rest of your life, than meeting new people 1x a month and dragging your socialization skills on for years. Golden rule - noone cares about anyone, so be free.

4. If you feel too emotional, then stop thinking and reading and listening to and about things that make you weak. gather positive emotions. Pet a dog, eat icecream.

..

Do all this for a month or 2 and consistently, and see what changes.

[sunandbutterfly]

I would encourage you to talk to your parents or your guidance counselor at school. They may be able to help you sort through whether it would be beneficial to see a physician, licensed counselor, or other health professional or if you are experiencing the normal hormones and emotions of growing up. Hope that helps!