Can someone help? I just joined

[Jack051297]

Hey,

I just joined the site a little earlier today and was looking to see if I could talk to anyone or just have some support. I have very bad anxiety problems which seem to be treatment resistant, this includes medication and some therapy. I know this isn’t the case, but I feel like no one around me understands the way I think and how I feel the majority of the time. I have social anxiety, ocd, and most likely more than that but not officially diagnosed. I have a lot of problems forming relationships with others due to how bad my social anxiety is; obviously I would like nothing more than to have a few friends or some other types of relationships but I struggle to an almost embarrassing degree due to my anxiety problems. I don’t mean to sound like I’m complaining as I write this, but I have looked everywhere for help and nothing seems to have worked. Is really appreciate some help, and obviously I would do what I could to support you as well.

Thanks

[Mariapalmer]

Hi there, you don’t sound like your complaining at all your just having a hard time with things! Most of the people on here are very supportive , I don’t know what to suggest to help though I’m sorry but totally understand some of what your feeling x

[Jeff1943]

Jack051297, you have so much to give to the world, you don't realise it. It's clear from the way you present yourself in your post that you are articulate, literate and dare I say intelligent. I say you are as good as any of the 'sociable' people you observe. You just haven't learned yet that when engaging with others all you have to be is yourself and say what comes naturally. That's all, that's enough and it's well within your capability.

I used to have social anxiety when I was young, now you can't shut me up if I've an audience. I read a book by Dale Carnegie "How to win friends and influence people". It was written years ago but what he says is still valid. You could do worse than order a copy from Amazon.

I guess you lack confidence when in company but confidence only comes with experience. So I would suggest that you throw yourself in to social situations and give yourself permission to fail.

Do your best to engage with people and learn by your mistakes. Observe how confident and charming people behave and copy them. You have to accept failures early on if and when they come your way. It's all experience and as I say confidence comes only with expetience.

As for your other symptoms of anxiety disorder: you get rid of them by accepting them for the time being. Rather than pumping out the fear and stress hormones that fuel anxiety. Accept whatever your sensitive nervous system directs your way. If you can learn to calmly accept those symptoms for the moment then you lose your fear and your nerves lose their over sensitivity. This is how to recover from anxiety disorder. Do what your fear and the death of fear is assured. It's as simple as that, Jack. Will you try it?

[Jack051297 in reply to Jeff1943]

I really appreciate you writing this and being so supportive. I will try to keep this in mind more often, I just tend to have a hard time remembering to do so since my anxiety always seems to takeover. Thanks again for saying all this and understanding my situation.

[Indigojoe in reply to Jack051297]

Jack, how about printing out Jeff's response and re read it every time you need a boost!

[Indigojoe in reply to Jeff1943]

Brilliant, kind, insightful, and soothing. Good job Jeff!

[macedo]

Hi Jack, I want to believe you're doing great now, I know it's been a while since you posted this but I want to assure you that you have my support and friendship anytime you need it. I am going through some social anxiety issues myself but I believe we can help each because we understand each very well.

[Jack051297 in reply to macedo]

I’m sorry I haven’t been active in a while. I’ve had so much work in school that i haven’t had time for anything else.

Thank you for supporting me, i would love to try to help each other through this. However, my time on here is and will be severely limited due to the amount of work I have had so far. Earlier this week I hadn’t slept for 50 hours due to the amount of studying I had to do to get ahead in my classes. But anyway, I really do appreciate your support and would like to help you in an way I can as well. Thank you for still keeping me in mind after me being inactive for a few weeks