Persistent social anxiety

[ZM1980]

Hi all, I'm new to this forum. I have struggled with social anxiety and shyness, communication issues all my life, but feel recently they have worsened. I'm finding myself apprehensive about going into work, especially as for the past few weeks we have had IT support staff at our workplace (to help with a new computer system which has been implemented). I feel awkward around them and find myself obsessing about how to behave, what to say, how my work colleagues will perceive me when I'm around them etc. The thoughts are almost constant and obsessive.

I have had CBT, Psychotherapy, Counselling in the past and these have helped to an extent, but I feel like I always feel somewhat inferior to others, even though looking at things objectively, I know this isn't the case. I'm 39 years old but sometimes feel like a child where social situations are concerned - especially around the opposite sex (I feel I struggle to talk to men).

Wondering if anyone else has/has had similar experiences? Would welcome input from both male and female perspectives.

Thanks

[Michdau1]

I can certainly relate and at one point many years ago, my anxiety got so bad that I didn't leave the house for months!!! What helped me is to remind myself (I mean the following in the nicest way) ... Ppl care more about what THEY are feeling, thinking and doing than what others are. Use your own post to support this fact and to help you change your mind set ❤️. U mentioned that recently you've been obsessing about your behaviour and what you're saying etc, how much time have you spent focused on yourself rather than others? 😘 Ppl don't even notice half the stuff we worry about XXX our thoughts are so powerful and you can train your mind to help you 👍

[Hollick in reply to Michdau1]

Michdau, that is great advice on overcoming social anxiety...ask ourselves, do we really care about others when we're so absorbed in our own thoughts, obsessions, problems, call it what you may? If you really think about it, the answer is NO, we don't care, thus others feel exactly the same way! REALLY believing this, whatever that may take to implement a 'mindset change', is the best psychotherapy way (CBT) of dealing with this most debilitating mental disorder...I know, cause I struggle with this all the time, still trying to get to the point of believing it, hopefully that day will come, and this too shall pass..I hope someone can benefit from this comment, thx for listening everyone, let's take good care of ourselves, truly, we're the only ones that can...God bless

[Michdau1 in reply to Hollick]

You seem really lovely hollick so I truly wish the best for you XXX