social anxiety

[truegal]

does any one suffer from social anxiety .. please share your experiences and thoughts.x

[Pickle165]

HI truegal, ive suffered with social anxiety for most of my life, ive always worked better in smaller groups and when i have had close friends it been like one or two at a time really im not a group/gang type person. its been hard and has effected most aspects of my life. its at its worse at the moment as i have agoraphobia which is not helping it. my boyfriend has social anxiety but is in compleate denial.......men!!!!

how long have you had it?

[truegal in reply to Pickle165]

i have social anxiety for 5 years i think .. in my childhood i was confident and had lots of friends but since i have reached to teen .. i have been experiencin anxiety .. i did not know until now ... it is diffcult for me to make friends , work in groups and findin a job .. am going to receive cbt for at least some improvement however i think its always goin to with me as you can never fix a heart.x

[greengrape]

I've had sa for most of my life too. It has really blighted my life and stopped me from doing so many things. I've spent years not enjoying life but instead trying to battle through it! I've not been able to work much in the past and relationships have been a disaster because I couldn't go anywhere! I'm happy to say though that in the last 2/3 years things have gradually improved, definately due to volunteering for Anxiety UK. I can't praise them enough for their support and encouragement. They've given me a safe environment to practise my coping skills and I think that's vital for anyone who's trying to overcome anxiety. There's nothing worse than trying to hide how you feel because of shame and embarrassment. You need to be around supportive and understanding people. Best wishes

[lonestar]

hi green grape ive just been diagnosed wiv S.A ! have suffered 4 the last 26 years ! have found it very hard 2 make friends and also relationships r very hard as i constantly feel alone batteling my demons lol ! i have currently been married 4 4 years and have 2 small children who r 2 and 4 ,and i find it so hard 2 put a brave face on when we go out ,as u can appreciate ! i feel so ashamed because i cant give them the life they deserve ! working is prity much out of the question and when i have it leaves me exusted ,so that when i get home sometimes i cant play wiv them ,it really is like walking on egg shells !!!i feel so sorry 4 them when they see daddy sad and it breaks my heart ! over the last couple of years my wife has been waiting 4 the all clear on her cancer so that was a very trying time !! i dont have any real family and very few friends ,im currently looking at starting C.B.T ! its very hard 2 get anybody 2 understand how i feel and sometimes feel like im lossing my mind ,i have just started a course of sertraline ,i have tried others such as citialpram and prozac ,im just wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel ,money is my biggest worry apart from the S.A as i only get J.S.A and i feel such a faliure as i cant get a job ! have had really bad thoughts just lately !! just feel like im in a box ! any advice would b really appreciated !!!!

[greengrape]

Please stay strong lonestar. Don't be ashamed about having this horrible anxiety disorder, it's takes courage to deal with sa day in, day out. The best thing you can give your children is unconditional love and devotion, it's a priceless gift and will set your children up for life. I am sorry to hear about your wife's illness and I can't imagine what a difficult time it has been for you both. The strain must have been enormous. I hope you decide to go ahead with some CBT sessions. I've had CBT and found it really helpful. I've also read 'Overcoming social anxiety and shyness' which had some good info and advice.

Money,or lack of it, is a terrible worry and so is trying to find a job, I'm in the same situation and really struggling which doesn't help my anxiety. Job centres scare the hell out of me!

Hope things start to look up for you soon, best wishes.

[lonestar]

thanks greengrape ,yes it has been hard ,i always try 2 show my girls that i love them all the time ,just the anxiety gets in the way !!! i have 2 agree i 2 hate going 2 the job ctr ,always think people r anylising me !! thanks 4 commenting : )

[Janedoe29]

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