[sunmoonstars67]

Hi Everyone. I am new to this web site. I am just now starting to deal with having social anxiety. I've had it my whole life. It's gotten worse since I've gotten older. It's sucks feeling like a shy little 2 year old, or unintentionally rude, at age 24! I never knew what it was until very recently. A couple years ago I found out about Asperger's Syndrome and thought that that's what my prolem was. But I talked to a psychiatrist about it and she said that I just don't fit the description and told me that I have social phobia. Which is so much better than the word shy. I used to get so peeved at people who would call me shy or ask why I am so quiet all the time. Ugh! Anyways, I hope to make new friends on this forum especially ppl with social anxiety that I can relate to.
-Angie

[Rhapsody]

Hello there and .......

Are you taking any medicine for the anxiety attacks? - I would look into that first, for they have greatly helped me (and) if you do not want to take a Rx then look into Valerian Root, a natural herb that I use on the side, in between my Rx medicine.... it works wonders in calming the nerves/anxiety when out and about.... and it helps with sleep.

What I found that helped me the most was to identify what exactly it was that scared me about people or being in public and then I worked on that issue first and for most.

LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))

[desirae]

Well, I can say that I definitely relate. When I'm at home in my own little safe world, or on the Internet, I am safe....but when I'm out there I'm unable to communicate with people right. I always feel inadequate compared to everybody else and just stay clear of conversations. But lately I've been getting better and better. I've tried to encourage myself to get out in the world and just be myself whether anybody likes me or not. Like the last semester of school I was terrified of people, my peers, now I'm more excited then fearful. I feel through time, with meds, and some strength I'm growing past this. I hope you can do the same because when you go out into the world feeling you belong there, it feels much better.

Welcome btw.....you came to the right place.

[Bethsway]

sunmmonstars...hello hello...and welcome! I too have social anxiety...I am so bad that I cannot even go shopping in the stores anymore...Yes mine has gotten worse over the past few years...I have finally gone for help...but so far I cannot even go grocery shopping...lol...doesn't help me because someone goes for me and I still eat too much lol! Ever want to chat...PM me....

[Amelie81]

Sunmoonstars, I feel the same way you do, I'm 25-years-old and it's embarrassing that I am incapable of feeling comfortable in social situations. I've also wondered about Asperger's Syndrome and even autism.

Asperger's Syndrome sounds like my problem "Persons with AS show marked deficiencies in social skills, have difficulties with transitions or changes and prefer sameness."

I'm not sure how it's different from social anxiety. I've had so many people ask me why I'm so quiet, that I've come to expect people to wonder about me (which makes me more self-conscious since I feel like people are judging me!).

My shyness seems to be getting worse, I live alone...I fear I will become the old spinster with cats. I'm also extremely insecure about my appearance. It's hard to feel so insecure all the time.