Severe social anxiety and too scared to go to therapy

Post Reply New Topic

Anxiety and depression are massive problems in my life and limit me from doing a huge amount of things that most people find easy. I hardly ever leave my apartment, unless I have to (exceptions are seeing a doctor, going to class, grocery shopping). I hate the thought of being a stereotypical 'shut-in' but I think in a lot of ways, that's a very worryingly accurate description of how I am.

I have no good friends, and can easily go months without having a proper conversation with people outside my immediate family, and nobody tries to get in touch with me. Never had a girlfriend for the obvious reason of having no friends to start with. Not even sure if I want one. The idea of being in a relationship actually kinda scares me because it'd involve getting very close with someone.

I've been in contact with doctors and a couple of people who work in 'disability services' at my college. All of them recommended that I consider going to CBT. Now, I'm not sure it'd work but I'd be more than willing to give it a chance, since I've tried god knows how many different antidepressants over a few years and none had any significant effect. Trouble is, getting in touch with the people who offer it means phoning them and presumably telling them I want CBT. I wouldn't be able to do that. I always stutter when I talk on the phone and can't talk about personal things (such as mental health problems) in person for some reason, though I don't care so much about talking on the internet because nobody knows who I actually am here. :p I've also been told that if I did get in touch with them, that they only offer group therapy sessions. Yeah there's no way I'd ever actually go to those. If I did, there's no way in hell I would talk about myself in front of strangers. I really am feeling like I have no hope in hell of becoming normal.

anxiety responds well to being challenged a bit at a time. do something a little scary like saying "hi" to a stranger. then next time, add, "how are you?" or go outside for two minutes and gradually build up to 30 minutes. all the while, remember that others are worried about what you'll think, too. in fact, they're more likely thinking about that than anything negative about you.

Dunno how it is in other parts of the world, but nobody says 'hi' to strangers for no reason. If you do, they will be almost 100% guranteed to look at you like you're weird. I'm not even making this up. Thing is though, once you say hi to someone, what else do you say? Seems excruciatingly awkward to just say 'hi' and nothing else and then quietly run away. :p
And I can go outside if I have a reason to. It's just that without any friends, I often don't have any reason to. I'm not agoraphobic or anything. I can go to the shop if I need to, and I go to classes at college.

Anxiety doesn't mean weakness of mind!

Soldiers on the battlefield in war suffer traumatic experiences, experiences that can and do manifest as anxiety disorders months or years later down the line.

Anxiety is a dis-ease as much as depression is, to nullify anxiety you need CBT, which means in dolphin language EXPOSURE, facing the vast blue . I think depression is seeing more weight to everything than there is, other people might be stronger but the only strength you'll ever know is your own.

----

Anxiety doesn't mean you are weak mind, it can turn a 6 foot 8 beast into a quivering wreak.


Delusions and paranoia are much much worse than any of the above anyway.


Peace out