Freezing ...?

Hey everybody!

How are you?

There’s something new I’ve noticed about myself this week and I’m sure it’s because of anxiety.

So when I’m put into a social situation for more than half an hour. Or if I’m faced with an awkward or upsetting social situation. Its almost as though I am mentally not there. I physically feel really really sleepy and mentally its like I’ve removed myself. I will barely talk or will not remember what they said if anyone asks me after a while I won’t know what the conversation really was about properly. I will respond to them with a few yeahs , oh wow, whys, etc nod and smile but thats it .

Does anyone else have this?

💕

[Starrlight]

Im not sure if mine is the same thing, I get these racing thoughts and go over and over stuff in my mind while someone’s talking and then I have not a clue as to what they said even when I listen I cannot remember at end of the conversation basically anything. Plus I feel overwhelmed and zone out as I call it; just being in my head more than being present with the people in front of me.

Do you think we are trying to block things out to be less stressed or our brains can’t handle any more input with all our thoughts already bombarding?

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

Oh yesss thats a great way to describe it actually ‘zoning out’ that’s what it is .

Yes i think you’re right 😔 but I must seem so rude to people don’t you think?

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

I don’t know I think I would just go hmmmm I wonder what he or she is day dreaming about about or yeah that the person is being rude ha oh well! We know we are not rude. Haha!

I think after zoning if someone gave me a look I think I would say sorry I was just distracted there for a bit.

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

Haha true I just say ooh sorry I went off in my own world there .

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

😆

[Hidden]

Hello Hidden

I often find this happening and for me it is when I am in a stressful situation my brain shuts down , I think it is a way of protecting me if that makes sense ?

Take Care and hope you have a lovely peaceful weekend x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Aw okay . So I am not the only one . But do you get physically tired too? Yawning etc?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No you are not the only one

As for tired I am never anything else but tired , someone explained though anxiety uses up all our adrenaline and the body only ever has a teaspoon full which is all someone normal needs but when you have anxiety you use that teaspoon up that quick and it takes a lot from us to re make more and to why we always feel tired as we are having to work twice as hard if this makes sense x

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

That is so interesting about how we use up adrenaline.

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

Yes I was surprised but I was telling a professional how tired I am all the time and she explained one of the reasons why we find this and as I said normal people top up adrenaline all the time and as they use so little it takes no effort but with us we empty are teaspoon so quick that we are starting from empty all the time and our bodies are working over time to try and keep it topped up

There you go now you know this as well as your pinky and cucumber sandwiches x

[Starrlight in reply to Hidden]

Haha yes!!! Thank you 🙏 I believe you’ve taught me well 💕

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Wow that’s so interesting thanks for sharing that x 💕

[Ellie34]

Hi Hope

When I’m faced with a social situation I am uncomfortable with, I work myself up so much before I go that by the time I get there I am shaking and only thinking about the situation I am in. I am focused solely on where I am and how I am feeling, and depending where I am and who I am with, it either continues to spiral until I leave or have a panic attack, or it calms down and I get through it a little awkwardly.

I see Starr and Lulu have given some good support as to what it could be.

Hope you can enjoy your weekend xx

[Hidden in reply to Ellie34]

Oh I understand 😔 thinking about it nonstop about what i will maybe talk about and just basically trying really hard not to seem anxious. Then when the time actually comes I’m all worked up and just want to cry and get really sleepy all of a sudden .

I’m sorry to hear about your struggles but thanks for sharing them with me . I don’t feel so alone and cut off from the world after hearing others about similar things x 💕

[Ellie34 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I also work myself up and then just before the event want to cry. I did this the other day.

Until I found this site I knew that others struggled with anxiety etc but I always thought the things I feel and fear were strange and it was only me who had them. Speaking to the lovely people on here and knowing we are not alone really does go a long way xx

[Sad18]

Hey! Hope.

Yes! I too suffer from social anxiety.and try to avoid social gathering as much as i can.because interactions in person make me nervous and even sometimes i avoid my friends.even simple conversations make me nervous sometimes.

Whenever i go out i try to be unnoticeable and dont want to draw attention because it makes me nervous.i fidget and some time stumble.

Dont know how to fight these symptoms.people can totally see i suffer from lack of confidence because i couldnt even hide these signs and even if i pretend to be normal.

[Starrlight in reply to Sad18]

I can relate Sad18. I feel awkward and feel exposed as my confidence is low. Sometimes my eyes twitch when I’m trying to have a conversation looking at people in the eyes. Then they can probably notice. But I say well it is okay it is not that bad and I believe I am healing so I am not hard on myself for it for I deserve to be treated gently when I am having trouble... you are not alone my friend. I think we will get better!

[Sad18 in reply to Starrlight]

Well! its good to know that im not alone and i have someone to support.

Yes! Im working on it too.trying to build up my confidence and to focus on positive side of myself(except when im neck deep in anxiety its just hard at that time) and world.

And yes i too hope that we get better soon...

[Starrlight in reply to Sad18]

Oh yes defidently focus on positives and they exsist even when we cannot see them because of being neck deep in anxiety. ((((((((Hug))))))))

[Sad18 in reply to Starrlight]

U too.

[Hidden in reply to Sad18]

I’m sorry to hear that Sad18 but thanks for sharing with me x

Its so awful isn’t it . I often feel really alone and cut off from the world because of this . Also the amount of people I’ve lost because of it is heartbreaking too 😔

At least we all have each other 💕

[Sad18 in reply to Hidden]

I agree with you that its awful.and yes it does affect our relationships with others.its was just few months before i became friends with these girls in school and i really dont want to lose their friendship because of it. It will really hurt me and i dont know whether i could get friends like them or not. They are so supportive and helpful and patient with me.

[Hidden]

When my depression was at it's worst I would describe it as being 'emotionless'. I had real difficulty in concentrating on anything at all. Couldn't even read a page in a book. It was quite annoying. It's like your brain is a computer and the storage is full!