Social Anxiety!

[Kenzel]

I'm now convinced I have some form of social anxiety. A couple of days ago, I went to get a job application and my heart rate practically doubled when I asked for one. Now, I'm struggling to actually fill it out and turn it back in . I also wonder if I'd actually be able to DO the job, considering that no matter what job I decide to take, I'll have to actually INTERACT with people!

Oh, and a couple of weeks ago I went to a concert with my old youth group. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I've had in a while (I knew I should've gone to see the Avengers instead!). I barely knew anybody on that bus..and most teenagers generally creep me out anyway, which obviously just made things worse. I was basically just a walking awkward pause the entire time, and everybody just looked at me weird!

Even when I join an internet forum, I tend not to post anything and often just creep on everybody else's posts because I'm too afraid I'll be ridiculed or something.. And when I actually DO post something, I have to check, double-check, and check AGAIN before I actually hit the submit button! Does anybody else here have social anxiety?

[Ivellious]

Are you a teenager/young adult? Because most of what you describe here is probably exactly what 90% of teenagers experience in those situations. It's not as odd as you think. I speak from experience, being very young myself. Honestly, being around people you don't know in a social context or asking total strangers for something (like an application) is perfectly normal. Very few people even as adults can get through those situations seamlessly.

My advice, from my own life: turn in the application and be ready to get more. A service job is a great way to get experience with dealing with strangers and most places will be very reasonable and help you along. When doing activities that involve lots of people you don't know, it might be best to make sure you know a few people that you can hang out with. They can help ease you into other interactions and introduce you to people. However, things like youth groups are designed to help you meet new people with similar interests, so eventually you will need to get up the courage to be social. You might not ever be totally comfortable meeting people for the first time (I sure as heck am not), but it is a necessary skill. If you really are having major social issues, I would suggest trying therapy or counseling. That would be a fairly dramatic step though, and first I would definitely try to find other remedies. Letting yourself get older and more experienced will help, and remembering that almost everybody goes through this can help too.

[1over137]

I'm now convinced I have some form of social anxiety. A couple of days ago, I went to get a job application and my heart rate practically doubled when I asked for one. Now, I'm struggling to actually fill it out and turn it back in . I also wonder if I'd actually be able to DO the job, considering that no matter what job I decide to take, I'll have to actually INTERACT with people!

Oh, and a couple of weeks ago I went to a concert with my old youth group. It was one of the most uncomfortable experiences I've had in a while (I knew I should've gone to see the Avengers instead!). I barely knew anybody on that bus..and most teenagers generally creep me out anyway, which obviously just made things worse. I was basically just a walking awkward pause the entire time, and everybody just looked at me weird!

Even when I join an internet forum, I tend not to post anything and often just creep on everybody else's posts because I'm too afraid I'll be ridiculed or something.. And when I actually DO post something, I have to check, double-check, and check AGAIN before I actually hit the submit button! Does anybody else here have social anxiety?

It,s good that you think about what you are posting. And that you will be ridiculed by others? Well, if that would be the case, I think it would be their problem, not yours. One more thing, nobody is perfect, and we do mistakes. We do not really learn without doing them.

[narnia4]

I'm a pretty shy person as well, but one thing I've found is that other people very often have the same concerns and for the most part aren't nearly as self confident as they seem. I've also found that real adults (and a good number of teenagers/students too) are more understanding than is often thought, just go out there and try to present yourself and if you look nervous most people will understand.

[Short1]

I know what you mean. I feel like I don't understand what friends are for. Like I don't understand the purpose of socializing and stuff until I really need it. And at that point I usually have to call someone late at night when I've completely lost it.

I have trouble figuring out what my personality is. I don't know if I'm really calm or super energetic and always acting kinda silly/funny/ having fun. My girlfriend observed that I don't do anything to help relationships grow and my life revolves around trying new hobbies and trying to learn stuff about religion. Trying.

[Byblos]

I know what you mean. I feel like I don't understand what friends are for. Like I don't understand the purpose of socializing and stuff until I really need it. And at that point I usually have to call someone late at night when I've completely lost it.

I have trouble figuring out what my personality is. I don't know if I'm really calm or super energetic and always acting kinda silly/funny/ having fun. My girlfriend observed that I don't do anything to help relationships grow and my life revolves around trying new hobbies and trying to learn stuff about religion. Trying.

I hope you don't mind me asking but were you ever diagnosed with ADHD or an anxiety disorder? I am not trying to diagnose you as obviously I do not know you nor am I qualified to diagnose anyone anyway but I seem to recognize some of the traits (in myself and/or my son).

[Callisto]

I have social anxiety too, as well as a generalized anxiety disorder. Yes, it's real, and a lot of people have it unknowingly. If you know someone who is nervous, jumpy for no reason, worries a lot about unlikely events, then that person probably has GAD. :/

[Kenzel]

Well, I finally turned in my application! It didn't go as badly as I had imagined, though I was extremely nervous..I understand it's a pretty normal thing to be nervous for something like a job interview, but it seems that all of my friends can handle themselves in social situations far better than I can. I don't think my anxiety is severe enough for me to have to go to counseling, but it definitely a bit of a hindrance.

[Callisto]

Well, I finally turned in my application! It didn't go as badly as I had imagined, though I was extremely nervous..I understand it's a pretty normal thing to be nervous for something like a job interview, but it seems that all of my friends can handle themselves in social situations far better than I can. I don't think my anxiety is severe enough for me to have to go to counseling, but it definitely a bit of a hindrance.

Good for you! It's never as bad as you imagine it to be.