I am 95% sure that I have Social Anxiety Disorder. I haven't seen a doctor about it because I haven't told anyone about it. Only one person knows and he's my closest friend. He doesn't even live near me. We have to Face Time to talk about anything important face to face. Anyways, I think I have always had it, I just did my best to ignore it. I really didn't start to show it until people started noticing my weird behavior in big crowds and my sweating and almost fainting when someone new would come and talk to me.
I'm aware that everyone gets a little insecure sometimes but mine gets very bad, very fast. One day I was wearing a new shirt to school and I loved it but it showed my tank top underneath it. I got so worried that everyone was staring at me, I ran into the bathroom and stayed there for half of the day. I didn't want anyone to see me. And I can't sit inside at lunch with my best friend because he sits in the back of the cafeteria, which means I have to walk past hundreds of kids to get there. Don't you think people would be staring? It didn't help when I had to move to a new school and everyone was interested in the new girl. I don't know... Should I tell someone else about it? Should I get help from a professional or will that just make it worse?
I don't know who to talk to about this. I don't know what to do about this. I barely know what this actually is. All I know is I'm very uncomfortable around people I don't know and if I'm stuck in a big crowd, I tend to keep my head down and I stay quiet.
I cannot eat or drink in front of people. I cannot speak up if I'm in a group of people. When we are presenting to the class or whoever we are presenting to, I get so nervous that I can't talk. I start to shake uncontrollably and I start to sweat. My face turns red. My knees buckle in. I just can't do it.
I'm sorry for my awful vent.
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Hi! Welcome to YWS first of all! And don't be sorry! I have a secret blog for venting, if that makes you feel better! I'm super sensitive- in a bad way. If people look at me for to long, I freak out and go cry. And thats not normal. I'm okay with that. But the only way I can make it better for myself is to say "Hey, I'm super sensitive so just tell me straight up if your mad. If you don't and treat me like it, I'm going to ignore it". I'm not saying tell that to everyone, but tell the important people so you can get help. If you suffer with it in silence, its mean to yourself! It can only go up. Please get help, it will make life so much better. You're not the only one- I promise. I'll be praying for you!!
Hi I'm Gabby first of all welcome to YWS,
Now I'm no professional but I have studied child and young adult psychology and this is some stuff in my notes I've taken:
Anxiety disorders are the most common of the teen and childhood disorders. They affect an estimated 8-10 of 100 kids. These people experience excessive fear, worry, or uneasiness.
*anxiety disorders include=
•phobia-unrealistic and overwhelming fear of some object or situation
•generalized anxiety disorders-pattern of excessive, unrealistic worry not attributed to any recent experience
•panic disorder-terrifying panic attacks that include physical symptoms such as rapid heart beat and dizziness
Anxiety disorders range from mild to sever and can easily be moderated with the proper diagnosed medication. Often children have more than one disorder. ALL disorders have a serious impact on health.
In my opinion talk to your parents and go to a doctor they will send you to another doctor who specializes in this sort of thing and get u the medicine or therapy you need to be able to live a healthier happier life. I have a disorder and we went to a clinic called connections and now I'm much happier. Good luck I hope I helped a little.
hmmmm I'm not a psychiatrist, so I can't give a professional feedback, but I do have some things to say:
1. You should tell people about your problem. Not everyone, of course, but your friends and family should know. Maybe they'll be able to help.
2. If they don't help, talk to a doctor about it.
3. Maybe you can even help yourself a little bit. As far as I've understood, you are afraid of people staring at you. But think, WHAT IF... What if the entire crowd of people really stared at you because of the shirt you are wearing? What would happen to you because of that? Would it leave any consequences? If those people are strangers for you, their opinion can neither help you nor harm you. Whatever they think of you, doesn't really do you any good or bad. It's all their problem. I personally don't give a damn about what strangers think of me, and I can say that my life is much easier because of that.
We ALMOST understand each other.
Dark, saying that if knivesandpens tells anyone, they are going to send her to an asylum IS NOT helpful. Its not kind either and its not true. I think knivesandpens most definitely has social anxiety, and I think you just don't like people. And yes, a lot of people in America are afraid, but what knifesandpens described is NOT the same thing. NO NOT belittle her problems. She might have self-esteem issues, I do to. But I think I understand what shes saying much more than you do, since you're the one telling her not to get help because if she does people will think shes crazy,. THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.
This is really a response to emmylou1995's comment instead of the thread in general.
I can speak from experience because I've been to a psychologist (Not a psychiatrist) for anxiety. What would happen is that she would be recommended to a *psychologist* more than likely by her doctor and by talking to them they would decide whether or not a psychiatrist is necessary. And if going to a psychiatrist *is* necessary, it doesn't mean that she's crazy. It means that she needs help and medication may be a way to help. A psychiatrist would prescribe the medication and talk to her like a psychologist would to see if there are any underlying issues with the anxiety.
And to knivesandpens:
Welcome to YWS. Here we'll try our best to help you in any way we can, be it reviewing pieces that you may have an emotional connection to, or reading and replying to your venting.
But it does sound like you may need to talk to some one. Someone who can actually help you cope with the anxiety. It doesn't have to be a doctor. Talk to your parents, or one of your family members that you trust (That's the key) and if they believe that it's affecting your life and how you go about your daily routines they may think that a medical professional will be a good idea. But it doesn't mean that you're crazy. It means that you want to be able to cope with the stress and anxiety and that you want to be able to interact with people in public places. They aren't going to send you to an asylum, as emmylou1995 said. And if it doesn't help, stop going. Explain to whoever you are seeing or your parents that you believe you've learned enough from your experience and don't think that going to more appointments is going to help. It's your life. And if you do decide to go see some one, it's confidential and no one around you, friends or even extended family, has to know that you're seeing someone. Mine don't.
Hope that helps,
~peanut~