I once ran into one of the panes on a revolving door once because I had a panic attack and tried to get out of a building as quickly as I could.

And yeah, part of the reason why I'm agoraphobic is due to my general awkwardness in public and the fact that others make me self conscious about it.

You're not alone.

i realize what u r saying but i don't think it's exactly due to how u act in public. well it is and isn't. my guess is it's how self-conscious u are and the feeling makes u aware of everything going on around u so u try to be a certain way, whereas, people who don't have any agoraphobia or social anxiety don't give any thought to the people around them.

I am so worried about me ,

I think you hit the nail on the head with that..

We tend to think of ourselves.. So overwhelmed with our insecurities and you know what.. the other people aren't paying attention at all. Changing that thought and the talking to yourself. Being positive is the hardest thing I have had to struggle with. I still have issues with restaurants..and going out the door to the bus stop..

i guess this is kind of a rant because i sometimes DO act odd in public -- not yelling or being psychotic.... just kind of withdrawing... maybe looking down, avoiding interacting or looking at people. i do have serious social phobia and can't help it. the rant is because i had one friend who i thought cared. she has now turned on me...... i have seen her true colors at last. In having a minor disagreement with me, the whole friendship (if it was that) died and she came out with all the thoughts she hadn't been telling me. She just about called me crazy. what i AM is shy, but she didn't say that -- she was deliberately hurtful and sadistic. said i'm self centered and paranoid. She really brutalized me. Now, my self esteem is in the gutter. the one thing (her) that i thought was okay, is a lie. i'm gutted and devastated. If people have the intent to hurt me, they should just leave me alone. how much more can one person take. I have been through a lifetime of abuse and abandonment. I don't deserve any of this crap. I hurt NO ONE. i am kind, to people and animals. I am so depressed now. i feel like i can't take it. wonder if anyone has a thought about this? thanks for hearing it.

the other reply is very accurate. we're only "important" in our own minds. the rest of the group isn't noticing you as much as you think they are. don't know if i'm expressing this thought clearly. Recovery, Inc really helped me in this way. they teach you that not everything is about you -- to focus on others instead of yourself so much. the "ill" person loses perspective: everything is a gigantic crisis, everyone in the room knows i'm nervous and are staring at me --- NO. a whole lot of suffering is manufactured by you, yourself. to lighten up, laugh more and let stuff go will help a LOT. yes, today is better precisely because i'm trying to think differently and better about what's been bothering me.

Hi Blue, I feel so badly you went through that. I guess we all have in one way or another (or many times). People hurt us for many reasons, sometimes due to not really understanding sometimes, just not being capable of handling it. I had a friend walk away, devestated me, set me back in my therapy a year telling me I was too much for her.

But now I think I get it, I needed, she needed, neither of us could give one another what we needed. But you brought up the word kind. Kindness does so much, and the effects last a long time.

You have the answer I think in the way you describe yourself. It isn't necessarily your fault, even though you are down on yourself for it...might be her.

hi Bluebeaver

yes, I was abused by my family, and used by my friends, coworkers and boyfriends. I am getting over it, and I now realize what a nice person I am, and will not get used by anyone ever again. I hope you can get to that point as well. I think that being sensitive is a mixed blessing, but one day, it will just be a blessing for us. Good luck!

People call me weird all the time, but it's because I am not a materialistic person who does the same things as other people. That's not a bad thing. I used to be more awkward but am getting better, I think.

Absolutely! not only am I bipolar, but sometimes in order to combat my phobia, I'd either get drunk or over-try to meet people and get scary! Coming on too strong, or generally being spazzy.

I hate that word "awkward" people use to describe socially anxious people..it just hits a nerve, I guess.

In freshman year everyone knew me as the "emo" or "cutter" because I wouldn't bother to hide the cuts on my arms. I had a lot of depression and besides the social anxiety a lack of emotion. It was weird because I was self conscious but at the same time got to the point of being so fed up I didn't care what people thought of my scars. I knew I was hated enough as it was, and back then I was pretty bad in social situations. I didn't talk or interact with anyone besides my close group of friends.

There was one time in class when someone whispered loudly so everyone (mainly me) could hear "She's so awkward" when I had to read something out loud in English. I didn't know what to say because I knew I'd make myself feel even more stupid but I was blushing like crazy and wanted to hide.

The whole group of people (pretty much the jocks) that knew and could tell how bad my shyness and depression was always called me out for it and made me feel like shit. I never stood up for myself which made it even worse.

The there was the time in tenth grade when I was talking to the two people I hung out with in P.E. and one of them said this guy called me "the socially awkward chick."

People don't realize how bad people with social anxiety have it and love to make it worse. It's like they're sadistic sharks that smell blood in a tank and want to attack their victim.

I'm in 11th grade now and I feel like I've done a lot of healing in the past year and I'm recovering from both my social anxiety and emotional issues a lot. I've made a bigger circle of friends and don't have as much of a problem with talking to people. But, just like everyone else with social anxiety, it never really goes away.

I have slip ups and bad moments here and there. I feel like though, the more practice you have and the better your confidence gets, the better you get socially.

I know there are others fighting the same battle and I'm glad I'm not alone. You're not alone either, always remember that.

Everyone else at work can be socializing after a meeting and I can't wait to be back at my desk, I am standing alone usually.
I have been on anti-anxiety meds in public and been zoned out. You should have seen me at the store this morning.

I know how you feel. When I go outside I feel so scared and nevous. Sometime I cry. I am not sure why I am so scared of going outside. I can go out for a few minute just to get the newspaper or let the dog out to use the bathroom. Sometime people just do not unstanding how hard it is for us to go outside.