I know the feeling all too well, except for the "Ever since. . ." part. I don't remember ever NOT feeling this way. My shrinks call it, "Social Anxiety." I don't have a better name for ^it^, so I roll with that name.

I never have understood how knowing it could have been worse is a consolation. The cliche often triggers my hyper-vigilance with worries that somebody is planning a demonstration of how much worse it could be. But. . . Social anxiety clouds my logical processes so heavily that I try to stay focused on managing the anxiety instead of trying to understand other people's logic under the influence of anxiety.

Do you have any exercises for handling this symptom?

Ah yes, the "you're alive to complain" brigade. Well, yes, I am. Doesn't mean I can't feel upset or scared or *only* see the "positives". You're normal, they're normal. They don't want to think about the bad parts, you can't not think about them. Total support to you from the puma.

People who have had the wonderful luck of good health have no concept of what chronic illness, pain and exhaustion can feel like. They think if you just lived the way they do that you would be healthy like they are. They just don't have a clue, so don't expect them to. People most always seem to blame the victim for their illness. Thus it has ever been. Try to be proud of yourself about what you can do and don't talk with them about your problems. Instead, tell them you don't like to talk about it when you are out to have an enjoyable time with friends and you can have lunch and tell them all the gory details sometime if they would like. That usually shuts them up because they really don't want to know. Instead, ask them questions about what they are doing; people are always happy to talk about themselves. It does help to know that others are going through similar things so support groups or online sites like this are the place to commiserate but not with healthy folks. We understand and the others don't so don't try to explain it to them. Be as normal as possible around most folks and go home when you get too tired to be cheerful. Find a good counselor who is familiar with pain problems and talk with them, not healthy people (they just don't get it and never will). I spend much of my down time doing research online for my medical issues and have learned a lot to help myself that way. Besides, doing research is far more useful than spending all your time trading horror stories. Some is fine, but don't let it become too much of a crutch. Do all you can and let the rest go. There are lots of interesting things to do in life even from bed, so get involved in a topic or cause you believe in and try as best you can to get on with a productive life. I know how hard it truly is but one must be tough in life-be tough without becoming rough and you have accomplished more than most. Good Luck and try Low Dose Naltrexone for MS, Crones, or FM. It is working for many! My best thoughts are sent your way. : )

Thanks everyone! It's nice to know I'm not alone. Much love!♥
And arfie I don't have any exercises to deal with it. Any recommendations?

I was kinda hoping you'd have recommendations to share with me, Cath. My own social anxiety is one bull dog of a symptom. I need all the recommendations I can find.

Here is an article I've been giving the old soft chew in my quest to find better ways to deal with the gnasty psycho-beast. I've tried most of the exercises it suggests, but I don't quite have words of my own for it yet. Works in progress.

http://www.uncommonhelp.me/articles/overcoming-social-phobia/

I think I get what you're saying. I was almost run over by a drunk driver at one point in my life and I heard many of the same things told to me. You're just lucky you're alive. Why can't you just get over it, etc. For the longest time I was afraid of cars, loud noises and had nightmares. I was dragged under the front of a van for blocks.

This is your story. However you get through it is how you'll journey through this.
It took me a while to process how I felt about it. Nobody else can tell you how you feel.

Events have left me feeling fragile, mentally and physically. So I understand, too. My therapist has helped me quite a bit. That link arfie posted looks interesting. Maybe there's something there too.

Sorry arfie, I'll check out that link.
Thanks spacepony.
Exactly what everyone has been telling me fireflywings! Much love♥