Stress Center Peer Support

struggling with social anxiety ever since i was a kid. I'm nervous in pretty much any situation where i'm expected to carry on a conversation with someone else. i worrythat i'll say the wrong thing or not say anything and embarass myself

even walking down the street i feel anxious- like people are judging how i look, what i'm doing, if i look anxious. I have this belief that if people know how anxious i am, they'll think i'm weak or weird and look down on me.

does anyone else have these feelings?

I feel like that all the time. It's always really hard for me to meet people, or find decent work. My self esteem has been shot since I was a kid, so it's always been hard for me not to think people are judging me. I don't think I will ever fully function normally in social situations.

My counselor actually gave me a pamphlet on SAD today. I was seeing her for just general anxiety and depression, and she noticed through our sessions that social anxiety is part of my problem.

I can totally relate. I know exactly what you are talking about. I always look out the window to make sure none of my neighbors are outside before I go to get the mail! It is so exhausting being so self concious.

On a funny note - sometimes when I am talking to someone that I am uncomfortable around I will just run my mouth on and on and while I am talking I will think "why am I telling them this - I don't want to tell them this" but I just can't stand the awkward silence so I keep saying everything that comes to my mind. I'm going to work on it.

Wow....I thought it was just me before....so many times I end up telling people stuff and then afterwards try to figure out why I did that !!!....it is that "awkward silence" that I can't stand....thinking that people are judging me...