Shyness Support Group

I totally relate to this. I suffer from severe anxiety, along with some depression (diagnosed with dysthmmia, a chronic type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low. However, it is not as extreme as other types of depression).

Like you, how I react around people really depends on how I'm feeling at the moment and who I'm hanging with. I also do my best to not speak to anyone, even on the phone. I'm more prone to hide behind emails.

Hi Purpleskies.
I'm 42 years old, and I've had social anxiety my whole life. It actually runs on my dad's side of the family. I was 21 before I knew there was a name for my condition though. I have all the same symptoms you have. I avoid social situations whenever possible. I let the answering machine screen all my calls. It takes all my courage to force myself to pick up a phone and make a call.
There's very few people(even in my own family) that I feel comfortable around. There's only a few people who I'm able to relax & be myself with. I'm sure everyone has always thought of me as a very dull person, because on the outside I am. But on the inside, I have so many interests and so many things I WISH I could do, if I were not trapped in a shell of social phobia. There's even clothing & shoes I wouldn't dare to buy because I wouldn't want the attention it would bring. But on the inside I'm WILD and
colorful and carefree!
The internet is one of the few places I feel free to express myself.
So,yes, I also relate to how you are.

I have SAD too and can definitely relate to a lot of your issues. I've never received professional treatment for it, but I've found ways to treat myself. I surround myself with outgoing people, and take cues from them a lot. I also force myself into uncomfortable or anxiety-provoking conditions. Once you get used to something, it's a lot easier to handle. In the past 5-6 years, I've become a much more brave and outgoing person than I used to be, mostly because I pushed myself to do things, even when I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. There are things that are still hard for me, but the little tiny improvements you make over the years are definitely noticeable once you look back upon them.

I really relate to you. I have no friends because I was so terrified of getting out into the world. try positive thinking

I can totally relate. The funny thing is, I desperately want to have a social life, but when I do get invitations to go somewhere, I make excuses so I won't have to go. It's so counterproductive, and it drives me nuts!

I just wanted to add that you are not alone in this. I've had this my whole life (I'm 27 now) and it was just recently (as of two years ago) diagnosed. Being diagnosed was a mixed blessing. I know what's wrong with me, but on the other hand, I don't know what to do about it and its awful. Have you talked to a doctor about it? A discussion might lead to medication or alternative remedies. That said, I don't think there is ever a cure, just really good management. I'm currently on 20mg a day of Celexa and in therapy once a week. I also practice Yoga twice a week and do deep breathing when I get overwhelmed. I also try to surround myself with positive, caring, and supportive people that I trust in all aspects of my life. I hope we can work together to solve our collective anxiety issues. :)

I was diagnosed with severe social anxiety disorder, i lost all my friends, i can't go to school, i couldn't even talk to my psychiatrist after going to him for four years or my counselor. I can't even be myself around my own family, i feel alienated around everyone. I've had SAD for 6 years, and for the first few years i didn't understand it and my family did it because we thought it was just shyness. My dad still wont accept that i have it and i have no support from my family, my mom tells me i'm making it up and to get over it. Because she thinks SAD is just about being social in person but doesn't understand why i can't talk over the phone or the internet most of the time. No one in my family has any mental issues accept me, so I'm the basket case of my family. I've basically wasted my whole life but no matter how much i want to change the fear controls me. I wish i would have got treatment sooner but now i feel like it's to late.

It is never too late.I am still considered a shy and quiet person but I have made some progress in the last 3 years.I can talk to people now.This takes time but you can fight it and pursue the things you want in life.You are not alone...