Social Anxiety Disorder

[EricJones]

Hi My name is Eric and I suffer from social anxiety disorder. I also suffer from paranoia. Always concerned what someone will think of me and whether I'll be accepted. I'm hoping there are people here I can talk to about it.

[Lank]

Yes, I have that as well. Along with other symptoms. Is there anything that you have done that helps?

[EricJones in reply to Lank]

i get pretty consumed by my social anxiety that all efforts to improve are hard

[Lank in reply to EricJones]

Have you went to therapy or gotten treatment for it? I don't know what I'm allowed to ask.

[EricJones in reply to Lank]

I've been waiting to get therapy i just switch over the a new mental health facility and they said it could take months until I see a therapist

[Hidden]

First and foremost I want to fit in. Then I want them to think I'm cool or interesting. But, I hate small talk, I don't know what to do with my hands, and I always feel like what I said or did was stupid and embarrassing. I can't enjoy a social gathering because I spend weeks afterwards thinking about every little thing I said or did and how they were perceived. In the end, it's too exhausting and I end up rarely going out.

[EricJones in reply to Hidden]

i can relate to you Mrs Mia Wallace. i feel often awkward or embarrassed when i'm in social interactions as well. you are not alone feel free to chat with me.

[MrsSippySlim in reply to Hidden]

You spend weeks thinking about social interactions, Ive spent years sometimes just playing it over in my mind. That caused me to avoid future interactions.

[EricJones in reply to MrsSippySlim]

yeah I hope i dont spend years thinking about these things that would be highly unproductive..but i'm sorry you had to go through that

[hypercat54 in reply to Hidden]

Being yourself is the most cool and interesting thing you can be...

[EricJones in reply to hypercat54]

but if you dont know how to be yourself, then what do you do?

[MrsSippySlim in reply to EricJones]

I feel the same way. I don't always know how to be myself.

[hypercat54 in reply to EricJones]

You challenge yourself to help find out and gain self awareness. And stop trying to impress people. Most can see a mile through fake and can't make connections on that basis.

[Hidden in reply to hypercat54]

But what if it's not enough. What if they walk away and can't remember me at all?

[EricJones in reply to Hidden]

they'll remember you....especially if your yourself

[hypercat54 in reply to Hidden]

So what? Why is it so important to be remembered by those you don't care about? As long as your family and friends love you that's all that matters. Do you remember everyone you have ever met? Its impossible.