Social Anxiety Disorder?

FairyTaleDreamer · 01-27-2003, 11:24 PM

I wonder if anyone has it? I believe i've had it since 4th grade, but since i hit into college it's gotten worst. I have no idea if it's PCOS related, but I feel like such a ghost in my life. I have no friends. I'm taking meds and it's not helping much like i would want it.

ReneeBeth · 01-28-2003, 12:39 PM

I've had SAD since I was a wee kid, my parents swear that I've had it since I was born. I don't know, just who i am? I've tried so many meds, nothing worked and some of those side effects just weren't worth it.
I think I've had it for so long, it's just who I am. If I suddenly didn'y have it anymore, I wouldn't be the same person. I've been this way my whole life, and I don't always enjoy it, but the thought of being a totally different person, I just don't think I'd like that.
Just learn how to pretend to like people, and enjoy them. If not to keep people from thinking there is something wrong with you, but to keep yourself still interacting with people a little bit. I try to be nice with people I may meet, which never happens because I never leave the house. But it seems that everyone I meet either ends up hating me, or my little paranoid self starts analysing them and thinking they're saying bad things about me and all that stuff..
I have my hubby, he's the only person I have contact with daily. I have my kitties, and yes..they are my best friends. I don't care how pathetic it sounds, they are!

Anyway, it's a hard thing to live with, and if you have it as bad as I do, it really sucks. You hate being around people, you dred it, but you are so lonely and sometimes you just want to go out, hang out with people and have fun.

I guess you have to keep trying to find someone that you might be able to be friends with, someone that might put out the fire of hate or fear that you feel when around others. Sometimes you get lucky, and find someone who you manage to tolerate being around for a long time. You never know who that person might be.

Just know you're not alone. And having SAD isn't the end of the world. It's just one of those bumps in the road that make things a bit harder and more annoying, but you can proudly go around saying at least I made it through yesterday.

-Renee

ReneeBeth · 01-29-2003, 02:56 PM

Ahh...the see, I have panic attacks that turn into asthma attacks...go to the ER once in a while for that problem.
I *WILL* one day find a doctor or some sort who will fight with the insurance company to pay for laser hair removal. They don't seem to understand it's NOT just cosmetic. They are willing to pay for a lifetime of medication and therapy to treat the depression and anxiety, and in all honestly, some people might need a good year of laser hair removal and that could eliminate most need for medication and therapy! I hate my acne, I hate my weight..but I CAN control those 2 things. Lots of people have acne and weight issues, those things don't depress me or make me feel so abnormal and out of place. But the hair...thick black hair covering me from head to toe, I can't take that!
If I could get rid of the hair, I wouldn't feel like a side-show freak anymore. I'd be more willing to go out and work on my weight, I'd be able to use acne products I can't use now cuz of what I have to do to remove the hair.
SAD is a hard thing to live with, but having the PCOS...having the massive hair problem....that is just not something I can deal with. I swear, I am going to go up to the head of the insurance company (well, hubby is getting new job, so I have to wait to see what the new insurance will be like after we wait a year or whatever to get the insurance)..but i'll go to the head of insurance and let them see what it feels like. If it's a man, I'll super-glue fake DD cup boobs to him and let him see what it feels like when his looks threaten his manhood. If it's a woman, I'll super-glue hair all over her face and let her go out in public for a day and see how many people stare or insult her.
I just don't get why people take some of these things as merely cosmetic if it obviously interfers with a person's ability to live day by day.
One day it might change. I hope. I guess that's all I can do about it. Hope.

-Renee

FairyTaleDreamer · 01-29-2003, 04:40 PM

thank you for replying. i feel better knowing others are going through what i am going through. the acne and weight doesn't bother me, but yes...THIS HAIR!!! I can never wear a tank top. I hate it. I hate the hair on my back an chest especially. I am getting it lasered on my face, but all it does is basically delay the growing period, which to me is worth the money. i feel so out of place still...i'm 19 and i've never been asked on a date. i wouldn't ask myself out either, i'm mentally broken and i am so fat and hairy, i don't see why any guy would want me. i used to have a crush on this guy...and when i thought he was going to ask me out...he came up to me and told me i needed to shave my sideburns. all my "old" friends made fun of my sideburns too. i think that's why i developed SAD possibly. I just got burned out of people. hope you all have a good day, doesn't feel like the antidepressants are working anymore.

ReneeBeth · 01-29-2003, 07:11 PM

Well, I'm 21 and I'm married. Basically I felt like you, so I snatched the first guy that said yes

Bad, I know, but oh well!
anyway, all my friends used to say things about my hair, too. I'd ignore them, change the subject, walk away. I'd do whatever it takes so I would never have to think about what they just said.
I know that people are supposed to love you for who you are, not what you look like, but I'm sorry..I don't blame men for not being able to get over the hair issue. BUT...just remember, some men don't mind, some will be kind and never tease you about it. some actually will love you for who you are.
I think my hubby is ALMOST one of them. He sometimes brings up the hair issue to tease me, but I just walk away and avoid that whole subject.
So stick it out...do what you can...the right guy will come along. When he does, just make sure you snatch him as fast as you can

Hehe...joking...take your time

But yeah, you're not alone..insurance sucks, we need a better way to permanently remove hair and people who tease others need to be locked up somewhere.

Just hang in there, it sucks but things always change and things will happen and you'll find whatever it is you're looking for

-Renee
P.S. - I had one BAD BAD day, but somehow I can keep nice and civil when I want. see, part of depression/SAD/all that...learn to control it. Control when it comes out to rear it's ugly head, and it makes things SO much better.

bluedragonfly2000 · 01-29-2003, 08:56 PM

I have generalized anxiety disorder which I includes social too

I have had it forever and it is a part of me. I go to therapy. I also have major depression. I thought I was just really nuts and in the last month or so I have joined this board and finally found out that depression and anxiety go hand in hand with pcos. If only someone had bothered to tell me this in the beginning perhaps things would have been easier to understand and accept.
I really find that deep breathing and positive self talk have helped me through a lot of "anxiety provoking" situations.
Take care

Mel

StormyGirl · 02-03-2003, 02:24 AM

I've had SAD since I was around 8 years old. I always felt people were judging me negatively even when logicly there weren't even paying attention to me. What made it worst was when I had to go to school in a inner city, I was harrased alot in school and it made me alot more fearful of social situations. It was so bad I'd eat my school lunch in the bathroom. Plus I don't think my mom was of any help if any she fed my insecurities. I still deal with SAD but I have gotten better. I am trying to prepare myself for college this fall and am so nervous. My heart goes out to you because I know how uncomfortable it can be to be put in a social situation. I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone.
Dela