Social Anxiety?? Please read and help

[showtime7]

Hi everyone.
I am looking for some advice on my situation. Over the last few years, I have had quite a bit going on divorce, bereavement, moving house etc BUT for about the last 18 months to 2 years, things have been fairly settled. I now live with my partner and I work full time in a very stressful but interesting job. Basically and rather ironically, since things became more 'normal' I found I was suffering really badly with mood swings before my period. My doctor prescribed Fluoexotine (sp??) at a really low dose and for a few months this has helped with no apparent side effects.

I feel ok, I work hard and I have a busy life. I am a bit of a fitness freak and I am considering doing my Masters soon alongside working. I have a management position and am fine with quite high levels of responsibility. However! - over the last few months i have become increasingly socially withdrawn. I used to be part of a close knit friends/family circle but now do not feel the desire or want to socialise with them. I do not know why this is. I do enjoy my own company at times and at first, I thought it was just me wanting to do that a bit more. I am ok with my partner - we go away sometimes at weekends and I absolutely love going out drinking and eating in a place where nobody particularly knows me.

It is getting to the point where I dread weekends and don't want to go into the local in case I bump into people I know. I am absolutely fine speaking to people at places like the gym and at work. I am also currently regularly having conversations to do with starting my Masters at an involved level. The point is, this doesn't daunt me yet the thought of socialising with familiar people fills me with dread. What is wrong with me??

[Roastie1986]

Absolutely nothing is wrong with you. Sounds like social anxiety to me. Our brains function in such funny ways. Don't be so hard on your self. Maybe worth taking a trip to gp. They may refer you for cbt. Really try not to isolate people around you. Hard I know. How r u feeling lately?

[showtime7]

Hi

Thanks for your reply! Still feeling the same really. Yes, CBT is a thought. Just wondering how I have become like it. It is odd though because it does not actually bother me that I'm not seeing people I used too. I also wonder if its because I or they have changed.

[UpsidedownDog]

It's possible you are emotionally and mentally moving on a bit from your close friends. Ask yourself what brought you all together and are those connections still there, or have they changed?

It may also be that both sides have changed and are wondering how to move on without offending the others IYSWIM. Kind of like growing out of certain friendships because yourself and those particular friends are just not on the same level anymore.

There's nothing wrong with preferring/enjoying your own company, but it wouldn't be such a good thing to completely isolate yourself from society. I feel like you, but I have only 4 close friends that I am completely comfortable with and trust (apart from DH).