Social anxiety

[Tommygurl]

This is me down to a T but didn't realise it if that makes sense. You get so used to living with these things you just think it's the norm 😢

[Gillyflower18]

You forgot escaping social engagements early because you hate trying to fit in and always feel like an outsider!😁😁😁

[Pdady in reply to Gillyflower18]

Avoiding social engagements all together!! I've been doing that for years I do it with family now . It's not nice looking in on a on a situation and not been able to get involved the brain fog doesn't help either 🙄

[Carlt]

I may be unusual but, personally, I think there may be more of an issue about negatively labelling these character traits than the traits themselves.

My favourite time is those magical hours between around 3 AM and 6.30 when everyone else is forced to awakedness by their noisy alarms...The hours when I can enjoy my "alone time".

Another 21 minutes to go and the world rejoins me and my "antisociability".

I view my "social anxiety" as me attempting not to burden myself on other people and deterring them from burdening themselves on me...

...definitely a positive thing.

My other half bought me a T-shirt at the start of the pandemic saying "I was Social Distancing Before It was Cool!"

Unfortunately, while I was typing this, those 21 minutes of "me time" have turned into 13 so I'd better put the kettle on.

[Tommygurl in reply to Carlt]

I love your thinking . I love my time on my own . I work in hospitality so I do have to speak to ppl but can't wait to get home to be around my own comfort zones x

[Carlt in reply to Tommygurl]

We should start a support group and then agree not to bother turning up.

[marguLIS in reply to Carlt]

That is so funny!

[Tommygurl in reply to Carlt]

Hahaha we should

[FibronewbieJab]

Yes that is totally 100% me as well. It's funny when I read it the way its explained on the post, it all clicked into space. It explains it better than I could ever 😬

[Tommygurl in reply to FibronewbieJab]

Yes same with me ..I didn't even know there was a name for it I read it and thought omg that's me I have social anxiety

[Smilesalot]

Hi Tommygurl 🤗.It becomes you doesn't it ?

I have it to and agoraphobia. Even so I have to see private physiotherapist in 2 hrs😭👿😱🙄🤔

I know she is great but I had no sleep for over 24 hrs I'm topping up all my meds I feel so sick and palpitations.

I'm sorry you feel this way sweetie. You do you🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗dawn

[marguLIS]

Tommygurl, that is so me too.

I have had social anxiety since my early teens. I don't think there was a name for it then, just got used to being told to get over it, pull yourself together and you're nuts, etc, etc.

I had panic attacks in public, couldn't eat in front of anyone, kept my back to people when ever possible, but no one ever believed that I struggled so much because on the surface I was so out going and so good at hiding how I felt.

My anxiety has increased exponentially in the last few years, I rarely have panics any more because I avoid the triggers as much as I can. I've used all sorts of excuses to not attend social events, avoid people as much as possible, hardly go shopping etc, and absolutely hate having to go anywhere on my own.

I am ashamed to say that alcohol has been my confidence booster for many years, actually since my teens. I know ultimately it makes my fibro worse, as well as my general health and expanding waistline, but it's the only thing that gives me enough confidence to face going anywhere.

I don't know how others cope with this limiting anxiety. Any advice would be welcome, and my heart goes out to fellow sufferers.

[Tommygurl in reply to marguLIS]

My partner is a singer I don't go to his gigs I can't face it .I didn't even know there was a name for it !! I've had anxiety since being at school and I am 60 now .

I've been in my job (hospitality) for over 12 years I love working for this company ,if my daily routine is changed my anxiety goes through the roof .

I can't drink any alcohol it makes me so ill .

I arrange to meet lots of friends then make up an excuse .

I can't even answer a phone call to a friend instant panic .

It wears you down having all these problems

[marguLIS]

Fibromyalgia sucks. 😭

[marguLIS]

I've cut myself off from most of my old friends. One of them has just moved a few doors away from me but I'm so anxious that I haven't replied to her texts to come over for coffee. I feel even worse now because she must think I am so rude, or I don't like her anymore. So untrue, but I don't want to have to explain how I feel.

We are moving house soon, which in some ways is great as I won't know anyone so don't have to make excuses for not speaking or getting involved

Never thought that this would be how my life turned out.

[Tommygurl in reply to marguLIS]

I know... I so feel for you and everyone else as am going through it my self ..fibro does suck it controls our life