What should I do???

[WorriedOne84]

Okay, so I've made several posts on this forum before and gotten a lot of helpful responses.  Right now I'm really battling a ton of anxiety.  All I want to do is go to work and then go home for the most part.  Well, some of my friends from high school are wanting me to hang out with them maybe Tuesday this week.  I can't come up with a good reason not to go but I can tell you now, I'm not going to have a good time.  Social situations totally stress me out and I have only seen them maybe a couple times in the last 6 months.  I'm jealous of them as they've went on to get college degrees and have good jobs.  Their lives all seem interesting and I really have nothing to talk about.  I do the same thing day after day.  Everyone else has grown up all while I'm 26 and am no closer to getting the things I want in life than I was when I was 16.

Wednesday, I have my first appointment with a psychiatrist.  I've been having almost weekly sessions with a professional counselor for the past month.  I've had issues with anxiety for years but it hadn't gotten so bad recently that I knew I had to do something because I felt like I was going to lose my mind.  I've been taking a 25 mg dosage of Zoloft for about 7 weeks now.  It's not helping which is why I'm going to the psychiatrist.  My counselor thinks I have generalized anxiety disorder but mainly my problem seems to be in social situations though I do have anxiety about other things as well.

So on to what I should do, should I go out with my friends or not?  I'm afraid if I do I'll have a miserable time.  My mind will be racing trying to come up with something to say.  Also I've been having all kinds of acid reflux type symptoms when I'm stressing which I'm sure I will do.  Is it worth putting myself through that?  If I decide not to go, what should I tell them?

I get so frustrated with myself that I just can't be like normal people.  Why do I have to make such a big deal about everything?

[SassyLassie]

Hello WorriedOne~Time sort of took care of my overcoming anxiety, plus the book, and very importantly, my faith in our Lord. He really was and still is, a big help to me.

Oh, I also started to see a Naturopath, and he prescribed certain supplements and blood tests, it was determined that I had hypoglycemia, and food allergies, well, when they act up, so does the anxiety, so, I do watch my diet, or at least try to. I still see one and I have acupuncture treatments and they really help too.

I have had days too, when I wonder if I will ever be normal of, if I will just be miserable and lonely for the rest of my life, that feeling will pass though as you get better; it just takes times.

[WorriedOne84]

Thank you both for the advice, I really appreciate it.  These are friends that I don't really see that often so I'm not sure how comfortable I feel opening up to them about it.  Then again, I don't want it to get to the point that they don't ask me anymore cause they'll already know that I won't go.  I do think they would be supportive and understanding.  They know I've always been shy but I haven't been around them much lately for them to know how bad things have gotten for me.  

SassyLassie - Maybe I'll have to purchase that book.  I'm definitely up for any suggestions to get me to the point where I can take back control of my life.  How did you overcome your anxiety?  Never have I been more frustrated which is why I'm finally beginning to take steps to address my issues.  Hope it is all worth it because I have days that I wonder if maybe I'm just a lost cause and will be lonely, miserable, and unhappy for the rest of my life.

Hope you all have a good day!  Thanks for taking time to reply to my post.

[SassyLassie]

Hello~I can understand your concerns. I have been there myself, folks will ask me to out with them, and I hurriedly try to come up with an excuse not to. I was so miserable being like that, and, I, too, was jealous of the fact that they could all have a good time and be "normal" I am better now however, but, I can still have those "days"

There is a book by Dr Claire Weeks, called "Hope and help for your nerves" It is outstanding and she covers this problem along with a host of other anxiety issues. It is so easy to read, it is as if she was sitting right next to you.

As to your friends, well, if they truly are your friends, they will understand, if not, well, they were not your friend to begin with. I know that hurts, but, well, it is true.

Hope this helps, please keep us posted.

[Brenndy]

I would be totally honest with my friends; the ones you can trust to keep your private health matter private.  If they are truly your friends, they will understand and be ready to embrace you with open arms when you are feeling better.
Best of luck to you.