Social phobia / anxiety

[BlackCatTryingToFly]

Just wondered if anyone out there has had or is experiencing this?

If so how are you dealing with it?

Had it pretty much all my life. I am just generally far too anxious.

Mood Gym - an Australian website was the best free resource I found and did help me quite a lot.

I suspect I have had it for a long time too but only recently diagnosed.

I do and it is rubbish.

Find myself hiding away pretty much all the time.

Anxiety is awful. It's so lonely to be at home while everyone else is at the party. I've had this problem my whole life, but i've only recently started realising that it's not normal. People think I'm cold and arrogant as I very rarely visit. I've become so good with excuses that its become almost a part of my character. I've never been to a funeral, a housewarming, big gatherings that aren't weddings. And if I do go anywhere, the days beforehand are a total nightmare. Quite often I just don't turn up, or call because I'm too embarresed. Will get dh to call. I've upset so many people that I'm generally ignored now. The problem is I always enjoy it when I'm there. I like the feeling of being part of a large family. So what's wrong with me?

I just bought myself a book called overcoming anxiety for dummies. I don't know if it's helping yet, but I've decided to try and beat it this year. My whole family seems to be like this too, just my Narc mum who's a social butterfly and loves calling us up before we go anywhere to tell us to lose some weight, and that [....] has had 5 children but still looks like she's 18! Errr... Basically which just makes the anxiety worse. Sorry for going on.

Hi guys, Rowena That book sounds like it might help.
I'm just so glad I went to the doctor, although I just went and told her I was feeling low/ unmotivated etc, I was then referred to Mental Health services who have talked to me and are on the ball! From the discussion we had they think I have social anxiety and some depression (I think they are spot on). I will be getting counselling (hopes it will work).

I suppose what I am saying is if you haven't already got help, please do! Maybe I'm just lucky to have a doctor who was on the ball enough to realize what kind of help I need.

Anxiety is grim. I don't want to feel scared to go out!

We could turn this into an anxiety support thread if you would like!?

I know I don't have anyone in RL (friends) to talk to and if we are all feeling the same, it would be good to have the support/understanding of each other.x

Yep, me too. I have horrific social anxiety and basically don't leave the house except for work :(

I'm still employing avoidance strategies, but at the minute I'm working through The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Anxiety which is brilliant. Mindfulness in general is worth looking into- it's helped me a lot over the last few years.

I'm also under a CMHT but to be honest they have been rubbish, as there is very little available by way of therapy/services where I live (except CBT which is unsuitable for me due to my BPD). I'm about to start paying for my own private therapy though, so that will hopefully help too.

Due to start CBT and was interested in why it was unsuitable for you. What is BPD?
Iam really banking on CBT as all my usual coping strategies just aren't working.
Can't even exercise much due to health condition.
Going out is getting harder and harder, even difficult to walk the dog these days

Hi all, I think I have mild social anxiety cause if I'm with DH I will go out although only to do shopping or visit family at the mo. I have to make myself go out cause I have to do the school run. I avoid going out anywhere alone unless I have to but that is when I feel anxious (when alone.)

bibiane I'm guessing BPD means bipolar disorder. Please correct me if I'm wrong.