Agoraphobia & Social Anxiety Support Group
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder, often precipitated by the fear of having a panic attack in a setting from which there is no easy means of escape. As a result, sufferers of agoraphobia may avoid public and/or unfamiliar places. In severe cases, the sufferer may become confined to their home, experiencing difficulty traveling from this "safe place."
Does anyone have any advice on dealing with anxiety around their crush? This post probably sounds strange, stupid, or even childish, but it's really bothering me. I overall hate having crushes because I don't like feeling vulnerable to others. I have had the biggest crush on one of my classmates since freshman year of university. Everytime I'm around him, I become extremely anxious. Sometimes I get so anxious that I even try to hide or leave the room just to avoid seeing him. Even thinking about him makes me depressed. He's really kind-hearted and there have been times where he'll try to chat with me outside of class, but I evade him because I'm afraid of what he'll think of me.
I feel like such a mess. This is my first major crush and it doesn't feel like what other people experience when they like somebody. All I feel is fear, shame, and disgust.
I have been here before, and I had feelings of shame, embarrasment, etc. I am going to be honest with you..fear is a liar. It has not been until I understood my true identity, in who God says that I am, that I have been able to be comfortable with who I am and confident in those kind of social situations.
Vulnerability is definitely scary. It's a huge risk - true. But on the other side of that is connection and when we are able to take that risk, we find that it is worth it and the smoke and mirrors that fear was putting us through was a hoax.
You are a masterpiece and a beautiful and loved creation! I hope you can wrestle with that truth and find confidence and strength in that!