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."
I have suffered with severe social anxiety from most of my highschool life, and it is carrying over into my college life.
I am a freshmen, and today in one of my classes the teacher asked me (again) why I don't talk in class and share my views. She say's I have good stuff to share... She said this in front of my classmates. I told her: "I'll try..." But she just looked at me and said: "Why don't you share with the class?" ...That embarrassed me so much.
But I don't think the professor has the slightest idea that I am two completely different people. At school and work my throat closes up and I mumble as a result of extreme social anxiety and self conscious-ness. I wish I could be normal and stress-free in school and work...but I have been like this for years.
When people talk to me that I don't know or I am required to talk in school/work, it's different than at home. It's lower, and harder to hear, and I seem really less pleasant in school/work. I am terrified in social situations...I fear I will embarrass myself and have very little self confidence and esteem.
The question I want advice on is: Should I tell my professor this? I have access to my professor's email, and I could easily tell her in a message why I am the way I am...or is that silly? I wish she knew how my social anxiety really affects me. It is crippling. Along with my depression it's hard to even go to college....but I don't know if it is the right thing to do....
Does anyone else have a problem like this? Or I am alone with this throat-closing-up social anxiety issue?
Any advice is welcomed and appreciated...thank you in advance to all who reply.
I am a freshmen, and today in one of my classes the teacher asked me (again) why I don't talk in class and share my views. She say's I have good stuff to share... She said this in front of my classmates. I told her: "I'll try..." But she just looked at me and said: "Why don't you share with the class?" ...That embarrassed me so much.
But I don't think the professor has the slightest idea that I am two completely different people. At school and work my throat closes up and I mumble as a result of extreme social anxiety and self conscious-ness. I wish I could be normal and stress-free in school and work...but I have been like this for years.
When people talk to me that I don't know or I am required to talk in school/work, it's different than at home. It's lower, and harder to hear, and I seem really less pleasant in school/work. I am terrified in social situations...I fear I will embarrass myself and have very little self confidence and esteem.
The question I want advice on is: Should I tell my professor this? I have access to my professor's email, and I could easily tell her in a message why I am the way I am...or is that silly? I wish she knew how my social anxiety really affects me. It is crippling. Along with my depression it's hard to even go to college....but I don't know if it is the right thing to do....
Does anyone else have a problem like this? Or I am alone with this throat-closing-up social anxiety issue?
Any advice is welcomed and appreciated...thank you in advance to all who reply.
Kellley
Look at it like this; right now you have a disability and you are doing great just being able to make it there. Give yourself major credit for that! Would this professor, or school for that mater, not understand if you were in a wheelchair or had some type of physical handicap that they would need to make accommodations for? I think if you sent your professor an email, or even told her in person after class, she would be understanding. Just let her know that you are interested in the class, but somedays it's hard to speak in front of others. Good luck, things will work out and be OK. :o)
Celie: I am sorry you math teacher did what they did...I would tell a guidance counselor about what they did if I were in your situation. Thank you for your concern.
Kelley and Kim: I took your advice and I emailed her about my anxiety, and other issues. She caught me in the hall the next day and talked to me in person. I told her that I could do small group work but not talk in front of the whole class...She told me that she too was just like me. She said that she was a major introvert in college and would sweat and stutter when called on, and she said that she will not press me to participate. She also told me not to look at myself as weak because it takes a strong person to tell her about all my issues like I did.
I feel like a big weight has been lifted.
Thank you all for your help. =)
Kelley: Thank you for your help! Without your post and Kim's, I probably would have just "suffered in silence", as Kim mentioned.
I joined DS not sure of what it could do for me...but it really does help /alot!/ because of great members like you two! Thanks again guys! Your kind posts have been appreciated. :)
presentations in front of the class.
I just did one, and had hard time breathing, stumbled over my words, and just can't be myself up there and get nervous. I don't really participate in class much either. I have had a teacher if 'im always so quiet'
and have been told that i don't talk or asked why i dont talk, and also get really embarrased. Yes, sounds like you are worried about this, email your professor is a good idea.
I also wonder if i should tell my profs about my things (like depression) but havent said anything yet.
I think you should also tell your professors about your depression/anxiety. I told my professor -everything- and nothing bad happened. If you could email them, it might be easier. It was for me. Also, if the professor has a mailbox you could just write them a note and stick it in, or ask a secretary to do it.
Again, it really helped when I told my professor. Both you and I may not be able to become social butterflies overnight, but we -can- let our teacher's know about our special needs in an instant.
I hope things work out for you.
Be careful about talking with the professor. It depends upon what kind of a person he/she is and of how understanding he/she is. I hope you can find support and relief. My heart goes out to you.