Someone like me

[rainbowshades]

Hi I'm new to this group. Have been searching for an outlet to express my thoughts and concerns where there is people who feel the same way I do can understand. Somewhere I can find someone like me. Hopefully this is it.

My story is I have come to realise I have social anxiety disorder, well I diagnosed myself. So it's not clinically proven. But still I always feel like an outcast in large groups even if they happened to be people I know. And basically some other symptoms related to this disorder.

So I wonder if I behave that way because I'm an introvert or I have anxiety?

[UnbalancedLibra]

It does sound similar to part of my problems though I can't diagnose you. My advice would be to go and have a chat with your Doctor ( I know this will be difficult ) but don't leave it untill you find yourself engulfed with other problems like I did ( I used to avoid doctors as much as possible) and I found myself in a very dark place where I was dragged kicking and screaming to my G.P by a family member where I could only mutter a few words yet he knew exactly what to do with me ( crisis team & therapy referral plus he began me on medication which the psychiatrist took over eventually ) first steps are always the most difficult but you are stronger than you think!!

[quitter333]

Hey,

I was super shy when I was a kid. I enjoyed team sports and things alike, but was shy around girls and had hard time making friends (I think most friends I earned hang out not because I was talkative, but because I knew how to draw comics, do math etc.).

Anyways.. as I got older I decided that I will use willpower to make myself into a better man (ja, Baltic-German Discipline! as always). I really wanted to get girlfriend and I was amazed by my childhood heroes who did speeches. I WANTED to be like them.

So.. after hanging out in clubs and breaking small barriers when communicating with strangers (and practice makes perfect) and failing A LOT, I accidentally ended up joining an improv theater group - because where else you can get almost free time on stage?

And improv in my opinion was one of the most important thing that happened in my life. 1. It slowly makes you enjoy stage and attention 2. It teaches you to be spontaneous and much more relaxed with things you say or do. Always say yes. Accept your friends suggestions. And all situations are good situations. It teaches you to LOVE awkward situations, because it makes you work your brain. 3. People in theater are super friendly and it is cool to be in a group where we all are newbies and are a bit dumb, shy and awkward. 4. Getting on stage later and drawing laughter or genuine emotion from audience is pretty rad.

So - my suggestion - try things. Improv is a good choice.

Other things that help anxieties are, at least in my experience, more introverted, so not to good in your case - like heavy athletics, writing, focus on priorities etc.