I have severe social anxiety AMA

[F2450]

I have had severe anxiety for as long as I can remember, long before anxiety was a commonly talked about issue.

it impacts massively on every aspect of my daily life, and while I’m quite good at hiding it, it can often make me appear unreliable, flakey and a bad friend/partner/relative.

inspired by a recent thread I realised that as my anxiety is difficult to explain to someone, unless they’ve experienced it in the same way I do. It can often lead to misunderstanding and issues that in term cause more anxiety.

So AMA

Have you lost many friends due to your anxiety?
What steps have you taken to help yourself?

Thank you for posting this. I too feel very anxious sometimes myself. Do you take medication for it?
Does if affect your sleep, if so how?
Does if ever feel worse certain times of the year?
What in your opinion do you think causes it? No known cause, family history, particular events etc

You have my absolute sympathy, I have had 'it' for a long time, I mean 30 years, in those days there was NO help, I am about to try and find help myself.Unfortunately it does seem to run in families.I have found out that my scots granny had a bit of it, my father hated public speaking, and one of my gran's sisters went in a 'looney bin' in the 1920's due to 'nerves', it is partly genetic, but also learned behaviour, now my son has it too, he is at university in cardiff, and I am worried sick about him.I am trying to persuade him to get help, which I never had the chance of.It WILL NOT go away, and you will become more and more depressed about your life. The older you get the less you can deal with it, do everything you can to get therapy.I did watch a good guy on youtube today, called 'social anxiety Kyle', his speach was amazing and just made me feel uplifted and understood, I wish you the best, lots of love