New to the community

[Takenusername]

Hi as the title says I’m new and don’t really know what to expect from here and I don’t really know how or where to begin. I do know that I’ve been looking for online communities for people who may be going through similar things or have gone through similar things and this seems to be promising enough to convince myself to join. I’m not used to doing anything like this but I have a hard time talking to those closer to me about certain things and even now I feel my heart beat a little faster as I type this out. I feel like I have a lot to talk about in terms of why I’m socially anxious ranging from different things throughout my life, is it out of character to make posts going into detail about those kinds of things? I’m not suicidal but I do want to get past bottling things up and maybe learn to express myself some more and not get nervous in a conversation and giving 2 word answers if anything at all. I don’t even know if I’m getting this out right I hope it’s understandable.

[Bobbleheadbuddha]

I'm new also but I've found strength and encouragement from the replies to my post. Say however much you feel like sharing. We all have different feelings, symptoms, and experiences but on this site we're all in this together. Be positive!

[Afrohair]

Can you address how this all started I used to quite quiet and it all started when my mum and dad separated and I witnessed domestic abuse it meant I could not speak to my father as I got older it impacted my school life as my mum took me away from father close friends and family my new friends bullied me and that’s what put me into my shell when I left school I became more confident but did have my moments and still do I find to make myself better I have no choice but to push my self little things like talking to the guy at the post office or school teachers (I have kids)fake it till you make it is what’s helped me.this post may or may not be useful but I wanted to share my experience of becoming quiet and not as social

[Takenusername]

Thank you for the replies And any future replies. I can relate to that too my parents divorced for the same reason when I was a kid and for a long time he lied to my sister and I saying my mom did it to herself although i would still see him on weekends till he moved away then it became a summer thing I started making decisions and trying shape myself so I didn’t turn out the same way. I think more of my social issues stem from dealing with bullies as a kid and getting different treatment than my sister growing up. Although I feel I for the most part at least I dealt with the bully thing long ago by just standing up to them for some reason I find myself thinking about it in times of self doubt almost as if I’m grasping at straws for reasons to doubt myself.

[Afrohair in reply to Takenusername]

I do this to myself as well and it terrifies me to think if I see one of those bullies again even though I’m in my 30s now after knowing they didn’t change their spots when I left school I bumped into one and they still tried to torment me the thought fills be with dread I moved town so I wouldn’t see anyone funnily enough to my dads town we have never got that bond back we once had long ago!and things still crop up in my mind scenes are very vivid for me!and I do think that’s what made me change but now a lot of people see me as confident and I do things people don’t do as I’m also a social media influencer part time I won’t put my name here but I have to be sociable now a lot of people think I’m confident but it’s cause I force myself

[Hidden]

Hey hey newbie..welcome.Ur definitely in the right place.

[Hidden]

Hi🙋‍♀️ and welcome! I understand what you're saying.

There is no pressure at all to talk on here. Many just scroll through posts without replying as a way of feeling supported, so it's perfectly acceptable to just do that.

We are happy that you're here.

[Hidden]

You are totally understandable! I think you have come to the right place. I am new here too, just been here a couple of weeks but I’ve found it to be helpful. People are warm, welcoming and accepting. Stick around for awhile. You will see! Welcome!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Welcome to you as well!👋

[KVallie]

Hi I’m new too. I suffer from social anxiety and I suspect every kind of anxiety there is. For me it’s gotten so debilitating and I lack a support structure at the time in my life. So I suppose that is why I searched out this forum.

I don’t know what to expect here either so I can’t help you on that front. But I’m happy to be supportive and sympathetic as much as this platform will allow.

And I like your user name