Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Anxiety Disorders
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Trouble opening up

keaton
keaton

This is a colmination of many of my biggest fears/problems. However I feel like anxiety is my biggest struggle. Growing up I was bullied enough times, for me to attempt suicide. Luckily my dad got me to the hospital on time. But ever since then, I have anxiety when it comes to communicating with anyone outside my family. I have a deep mistrust for everyone. These issues have also caused me to have extremely low self esteem. I rarely ever talk to anyone anymore. Now I am 26 and I really want to start finding friends and form relationships. However I am still extremely afraid of being humiliated when I talk to someone. I really want to be that person who has friends and a girlfriend however I don't think I am worthy of anyones time or attention. Is there anyway to get over this? I am just glad I was able to open up for once about this. 

peterthegreat
peterthegreat
I think you need a therapist to help you. Nothing hurts just try one session. See how it goes.
loren1974
loren1974
I have dealt with poor self esteem pretty much all my life. Therapy did help me some. I was like 38 before I ever started seeking help. I will tell you now the sooner you can get started the easier it will be to over come low self esteem. The longer we tell ourselves horrible things about who we are, the more these thoughts get rooted in. Everyone is different of course. Hopefully it will be easier for you to over come.
Finding the right therapist might take a little while too. If you dont feel comfortable with them you will never open up the way you need to for it to work. This is just a personal note, but I always found it easier to talk to female therapist. I just never felt like being vulnerable in front of another guy.
Its good your here and wanting to change thats the first step. You can have a life!
wolvessonata
wolvessonata
You're here and you've already taken a big step in the direction you want to go in! Take it one moment at a time and slowly ease yourself in. You've experienced trauma being bullied. But you are in control now. Being here is you being in control. Those who hurt you could not stop you from signing up on this site and posting. It may be online but you're still talking to real people, you're reaching out and making progress. Who knows, you may end up making friends here too! Its a great start and can help build up confidence knowing you have people to talk to. You are not who or what those bullies said you were or done to you. You matter in this world. Were all very happy to have you here. Welcome to DS! You're in a safe place where you won't be harmed.
Community LeaderMid
Mid
Welcome to the anxiety board at DS.

Writing it out releases the words from your brain.

Best wishes as you find your better balance.
arfie
arfie
hello keaton. welcome to the forum

**clink***

here's to hoping that finding the courage to open up here will set a precedent to help you become one of those people who has friends and a girlfriend. you don't get to know what will come through a door until you open the door.

gentle support while you find the way. welcome aboard.
MelT2020
MelT2020
You will always be enough and more than worth it!

Ultimately, your opinion is the most important (hugs)
mtd
mtd
I think @loren1974 pretty much summed it up perfectly. As long as you entertain the negative thoughts about yourself and believe them, you won’t get very far. The anxiety is a result of this negative thinking and combine the two for a powerful misinformation campaign against yourself. “It’s Only Anxiety” by Carl James. This book is a game changer.
Candygurl
Candygurl
Baby steps. Break down your goal of friends and a partner into tiny steps and embark on that. For example, think about someone in your past that you got along with and felt safe with, and try to reconnect by email or text or social media. While communicating, tell yourself constantly that you are ok, that you are doing your best and your best is good enough, that there is a lot of love in the world and you will find friendship and love.
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