Anxiety and the Online World

Post Reply New Topic

with instant messaging and chatting, i literally feel like im having a panic attack. Email and messages are pretty bad too, but not as stressful since i have time to think about what i'm writing and there's no awkward silences.

I get anxious about IMing people. I want them to IM me first, otherwise I feel like I'm intruding on them. I almost never email people unless I have a good reason. Because of these things, people have accused me of avoiding them. Though this is indeed the case at times, most of the time I'm just too shy to message them.

I always get a little anxious when I type something that other people might read, I just don't want people thinking I'm "special" I guess, lol

I often have this problem. If I'm emailing someone, I often get worried about how they'll respond because I'm extremely sensitive to negative comments!

I used to be just as anxious online as in real life but now am a lot more relaxed. It's still hard often other than with people I've know a long time or well. I don't use any instant messengers or chatrooms as I find them too overwhelming. I prefer forums, though ironically I'm finding this one a little much. I can't keep up, it's so active and people know so much and I'm just new and lost... One thing I really hate is talking first, unless I have something specific to say or ask I really odd just messaging someone to say 'hi, how are you?' or simular. I can't make small talk online any better than real life. When I did used to use msn messenger I used to hate messaging people first in case I was disturbing them or they didn't want to talk me, but then I'd worry that they would think I was ignoring them I worry when I get a new message cos it could be anything and that makes me anxious. I never phone people either, apart from hating talking on the phone anyway I worry that I may disturb or be intruding on the other person and what they maybe doing at the time. I have turned the ringer off on our house phone because I hate it... it just bursts out ringing and I hate and find it so intrusive so I switched it off and never give them number out. My mobile I don't mind so much because I can turn it down really quiet or put it on silent. Also I can see who it is and then am prepared for it rather than picking up the phone not knowing who it is or what maybe said

I feel anxious when I send messages and E-mails as well. I feel this way, because I'm worried about whether I'm going to get hurt, or offend someone. I've also had a bad experience, a little over three years ago.

I'm NT and I find online communication difficult because there's no body language to read! Without facial expressions, body gestures and tone of voice to "observe I find interpreting online messages more difficult. It's also more difficult to express myself online because I can only do it with text.