I was like this as a child, then I became more confident in my teens and twenties, although I still struggled with self-esteem issues and feeling very anxious especially in an unfamiliar environment.
Since I’ve had my son (now 4 years) I’ve come to the realisation I’m probably ND, so I’m awaiting an assessment.
I’m literally scared all the time, I fear confrontation and so I avoid even looking at people for fear of upsetting them.
My current issue is that I need to politely ask my neighbour to move their car back slightly so that I can get my car out. But I’m absolutely terrified of doing it, so I’m just parking miles up the road to avoid the conversation. I’ve had run ins with them in the past and they’re not the nicest people, quite confrontational about lots of things. They really don’t like parcels being dropped off for us there, I’ve tried telling the delivery drivers, but often they just do it anyway.
I also get scared picking my son up from school (and dropping him off) but mostly picking up as I have to stand around with the other parents and I’m always worried the teacher will want to speak to me about something and it makes me feel really on edge. So much that I’m almost in tears and shaking at pick up time.
As a child I was so timid, scared and shy all the time. My mum says if people came round I would hide behind the sofa and if we went anywhere I’d just hang onto mum and would never interact with other children or adults.
I just don’t know what to do. It’s making fault interactions so hard and I’m constantly feeling sick with anxiety at the thought of confrontation or speaking to people.