I've been suffering from social anxiety ever since the first grade. I'm 20 now. I had no ideal that it was called social anxiety until I was in the 10 grade. I found it to be extremely difficult to talk to people, classmates, teachers, etc... I've only had one true friend throughout my school years. I've lost friends that I've worked so hard to get to know because of my social anxiety disorder. I've spent every school year eating lunch alone and always found my self standing up against a wall during recess. I just couldn't help it. I couldn't bring my self to start a conversation with someone else or play games with them or anything. I tore me apart. I couldn't stand it or myself. What can I say. I've got social anxiety and I've got it really bad simply put. However even though my social life sucked and I cursed and blamed my parents day in and day out, I did not drop out of high school and graduated with a High School Diploma and an Academic Diploma. I'm a really nice guy when you get to know me. Sometimes I can just talk to people about something but it never last very long because I suck at conversations... unless it's something I'm really into. I've never had a girl friend (impossible) and I don't plan to get married. My social anxiety kicks in when I'm standing in line for something, at the bank getting my check cashed, etc. When it hits me I lose control of my body. I can't remember what I wanted to say or certain parts of my body might jerk such as a shoulder. My hands won't obey me and might fumble over something when reaching for a pen to sign something at a counter. That's how it usually is. There's so much more to this but I can't put it into words. Then I found myself blaming my parents for my disorder and hating them more and more each day. Is it their fault? To make a long story short I've got it bad and it's basically ruined my reputation at school, at the bank, in stores, at work etc. There's no way I can deal with this. It's good to know that there are people out there that's trying to deal with this besides me.
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Gosh, reading all of your comments about living with the social anxiety brakes my heart. I'm 33 and have suffered from this for as long as I can remember. I have no social life, one or two close friends, and very fortunate to have loving and understanding parents. I too can't hold a job, Never graduated high school, and just recently drop out of college. I was searching the internet today to try and see what hormones play in all this. I have a two year old son and while being pregnant never once felt anxious in public, the panic attacks went away, and I finally had a somewhat of a normal life. Unfortunatly for most of us suffering with this disorder agoraphobia can also set in. I've taken just about every medication out there but they just made my symtoms worse and more frequent. As of now I'm taking a beta blocker called Atenolol and attending group therapy. This med has helped me to relax and the only side effect is...NONE! how about that! I'm told that there is no quick cure for Social Anxiety just ways to deal and manage it. With exposure therapy, eating right, excersise, along with support of family I'm going to continue to face my fears and I'm confident that I will one day conquer them and prevail. Good luck to everyone.
I am new to this board.
I have developed social anxiety over the last year. Shaking, panic, etc. I'm wondering about the last writer's note (her husband is taking a great med but she can't remember the name). I'd love to know the name of the med ....
Also, I'm wondering if this could possibly be caused by a hormone imbalance and if so, which hormone and how is it treated?
I used to be extremely social, etc. It's all come in a wave. Of course, I've explored psychological causes, ie. life changes, and other issues.
But this really feels chemical.
Any help is appreciated. Please let me know what meds work. Paxil makes me shaky so any other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks.
After years of not feeling sure of himself, my husband started on some Society Anxiety Disorder Medicine (I forget the name). He has completely come out of his shell and is doing great at work. It's amazing what he had when this 'veil' was lifted.
He also takes XANAX if he knows he has a stressful event coming up (Board Meeting, etc).
I've seen him become assertive, take-charge and focused. It's amazing.
It sounds very much like social anxiety, and there is a great deal of help available to you. This is very treatable, and the treatment is very successful.
You should see a psychiatrist who can prescribe medications that will greatly diminish your anxiety and make everything else easier. You should also be in treatment, psychotherapy, with that psychiatrist or another therapist. In addition, there are programs specifically for social anxiety that your therapist can refer you too which are both behavioral and group.
Talking to your parents and getting there help, support and understanding is an important first step, then follow through with these recommendations.
i am a 25 year old woman, in 2007 i was diagnosed with bipolar mood disorder got treatment and got well. At first i was able to interact with people of all ages, but now it has been difficult. i have this major social anxiety ever, i even blush when im around people. my specialist and my mom would tell me time and again that im beautiful and that theres a lot to live for, but i never consider dat and instill it. my life is upside down i dont even go out anymore im always in doors. can you help me sir and tell me what to do.
Please read haplo's comment to a posting earlier in this website listing (I really don't feel like re-typing it) with regards to the consequences of social anxiety; the sad truth that it doesn't go away and it will worsen with age as accumulated regrets unravel an empty life. I can relate to all the persons who have replied to this thread; e-mail me at '***@****' (because I am interested in the similarity of adolescent/adult experiences among 'us'; it took me 8 attempts to complete high school, I left university uncompleted, I've never had a 'real' relationship at 30, I am predominantly unable to work or plan a career, et cetera...in other words, we seem to share some common deviations from the 'status quo' which only we understand are not overtly the result of laziness, poor work ethic, negative attitudes...I am also wondering if anyone else suffers chronic physical ailments sufficient to always put ideas in 'the future', although it never arrives). Quite the 'parenthesis'; my apologies for being so wordy and I hope to hear from someone.
Gosh, reading all of your comments about living with the social anxiety brakes my heart. I'm 33 and have suffered from this for as long as I can remember. I have no social life, one or two close friends, and very fortunate to have loving and understanding parents. I too can't hold a job, Never graduated high school, and just recently drop out of college. I was searching the internet today to try and see what hormones play in all this. I have a two year old son and while being pregnant never once felt anxious in public, the panic attacks went away, and I finally had a somewhat of a normal life. Unfortunatly for most of us suffering with this disorder agoraphobia can also set in. I've taken just about every medication out there but they just made my symtoms worse and more frequent. As of now I'm taking a beta blocker called Atenolol and attending group therapy. This med has helped me to relax and the only side effect is...NONE! how about that! I'm told that there is no quick cure for Social Anxiety just ways to deal and manage it. With exposure therapy, eating right, excersise, along with support of family I'm going to continue to face my fears and I'm confident that I will one day conquer them and prevail. Good luck to everyone.
This condition is VERY similar to the symptoms my 21-yr old daughter has experienced most of her life. She is living on her own, with our help, but has been unable to get a job because of her anxiety. She has tried lots and lots of counseling but she never felt like it was helping. She is currently on Effexor, Adavan, and weaning off of Risperdahl and is doing better. She states her anxiety has lessened but meanwhile she has no social skills having been so inhibited throughout her school years. We were always told when she was younger when we would question the severity of her "quietness" that she was just shy and would grow out of it. If I could go back and talk to those same people now I would have a thing or two to say to them!!! I have a question regarding treatment but I will follow rules and post it in a separate post.
Humm... sounds familiar to me..write me to zachary_attacks***@**** and we'll talk about it :O)
And don't worry, everything has a solution, even social anxiety...
hi. i have the exact same problem. 30, and tried 3 colleges. socializing is impossible, and finding jobs and being relaxed is very difficult. i am seeking help from a psychotherapist currently to fight my problems. i just found out i have sever panic disorder which is causing me other health problems.
getting help is the first step, and although it might take a while, it is the best thing i have done. good luck!
hi im 29 year old. ive been diagnosed with cyclothymia for 8 yrs and social phobia. I take paxil for the depression and the social phobia and it has really helped me come out of my shell.
I was very glad to see that you realized you needed help and i hope that everything goes well with you. I believe it takes a very strong person to speak up and say hey i need some help. Good for you!!!
Take care and I hope that everything goes your way.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.