Loneliness

[Emotional_RollerCoaster_Syndrome]

Hi my name is jordan and I have bipolar disorder,depression but why I came to this forum is cause I have severe social anxiety disorder. I am unable to make friends cause its just not my luck the symptoms I have all the time are

1.Hypersensitivity to criticism or rejection
2.Self-imposed social isolation
3.Fear of being rejected
4.Mistrust of others
5.sadness
6.severe low self esteem
7.Extreme shyness/timidity
8.Feeling inferior to others

there are other symptoms how I feel but those are the main ones
And its really disabling me to the point where I just getting to the point that my personality is disabling me cause of the withdrawnness.

Is there some other kind of disorder I am not aware of if you know can you tell me please?

[real_jimmy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiy2ELgzLUM

[real_jimmy]

all is loneliness

[DaysAhead]

Hi Jordan

I just wanna tell you that the first try is the hardest so be yourself, be proud of yourself, and you have to know how to choose the people around you .
I'm sure that you don't have any kind of problems,

Wish you luck

[sumihari]

Hi Jordon,

You probably have guessed it right in that you have some sort of social anxiety. Anxiety sometimes can cross boundaries and co exist with depression. I would suggest you see a therapist to help you work through the issues you had listed. With the right help it is easy to overcome these issues. Over the 20 years I had anxiety, I had encountered the very same issues you have listed and theraphy helped me a great deal. I did not suffer from bi polar though mainly GAD but I suspect you should be easily able to overcome your social anxiety with a few therapy sessions.

Good luck.

Sumi

[MJIthewriter]

I wish I could help you, but I can relate to some of those that you describe, I have autism, but bipolar like symptoms seems to be a comorbid with a lot of cases of autism. It seems to be true with me.  I can especially relate to the feelings of #1, #2, #3, #5, #7 and #8 to some degree.

#1 a lot of it depends on how the criticism is carried out. I believe a kind word is the best way about it, but not everyone is so nice.  It's something I struggle with and it hurts me. But part of me realizes it's their issue, not mine.  If there is any truth to it, then I can learn from it, but it takes time to be able to accept criticism.  Maybe you're like me, but given right away it hurts, but give it a few weeks, maybe a month to think of it and the blow does get softer.  I think a lot of it is dealing with the multiple thoughts of "Why? What is wrong with me? What did I do to deserve this?"  Those thoughts I know are unproductive, but yet I can't really stop them.

Social isolation:  With me I have trouble with groups. I'm better reaching people one on one, but even still it takes time getting to know someone. I’m not sure if what you are describing is the same thing or not.

#3. Rejection: Thoughts of what did I do wrong?  Once again those thoughts are unproductive, but that's the loop that goes through my head when faced with rejection.  Sometimes the rejection is not deliberate.  But sometimes I need that reassurance. If it is deliberate, then it's harder.  The thing that helps me (but it takes time, sometimes lots of time) is to be able to think of what strengths I have to offer. If those people don't want what I have to offer, then it's their problem. Try not to take it personally. Try not to blame the rejection on yourself if you can. This is easier said than done. Once again it takes time for my feelings and emotions to catch up to where my head knowledge is.

#6: I have a challenge for you. A homework assignment if you prefer. (This I had to do in a class once)  Write 10 good things about yourself. Post them here or your journal if you prefer. If you can, add onto that list each day.  Think of anything you like about yourself.  It may or may not help you right away, but maybe it will in the long run.

That may help with #8 as well.

I hope some of this helps.