Social anxiety issues

[cujo446]

Have any of you had issues with Social anxiety in particular bipolar people?  Also do any of you have to force yourself to get up and get out rather than behaving like a recluse?  I have had problems with the above mentioned issues from time to time and was just wondering if this is common?

[Alex_X_18]

I have it I think part of it is a confidence thing,...I still go out or see people its just,...I'll get into groups and freeze up like I'm unsure of myslef so I even when I think of something to contribute to the converstaion I don't say anything for fear of looking stupid..... when its really bad I'll even tart getting paranoid like oh **** everyone here must be judging me and their against me and I start getting heavy anxiety and my heart just starts pounding in my chest.....but this is espcially true when I feel someone is of higher status you know like that they have more money or education than I do or their sitting around talking about something I don't know alot about then its real awquard and I feel like a total idiot
then people will think shy or quiet....thats not really me whatsoever tho I like talking but it takes me a few meetings with someone to be more extroverted unless I feel we really have some common ground......

[mejeba]

definitely.  I rely way too much on my husband to get out.  I think I'd hide away here if he wasn't around.

[morbidlyeuphoric]

Yeah, I get that way. I force myself though. I have to. Not always, because I think that would make it worse if I constantly tried to push myself through it, but a lot of the time when I do push myself I feel better afterward. But there are times when I just HAVE to give myself a break and stay in and be alone.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I sometimes find it to be a struggle just to get out and leave the place I live at, like it'll agitate me if people force me to leave sometimes.

[pdr7686]

I also am like this unless I just make myself go out and I usually do not unless I go to the mailbox, mow the lawn, or to appointments, etc... Therefore, I definitely know how you feel and it is not a good feeling. I suggest you try to make yourself go out and stop acting like a recluse. I know I am a good one to be talking but I do try.

[ILADVOCATE]

Yes right now I am basically homebound due to my physical disability but before my current recovery when I was depressed or anxious or paranoid (remember I have schizoaffective disorder) I did want to avoid people or not be around them and often the best thing to do was make myself go out and about and then in doing that I would feel better.