Originally posted by dauber22
Good lord, Jim
I thought mine was bad at 48%, but you make me look like a piker!!!
Well, not wanted to turn this into a supervike pity party, but I do have Social Anxiety and it has gotten pretty severe recently.
All my life I have fought it, but I also taught myself to hide if very well. Most people I know would be a bit surprised to find out how badly I struggle with this. I kind of had a breakdown not too long ago, and had to admit some of this stuff to my wife. Even she was shocked to know about it.
I don\'t want to make it sound as though I am one step above a leper, I still go out into public do things on a social basis. I just have to put on an act to do so. Kind of like a public mask.
I\'ve lost lots of friends because of it. Not like a sudden \'I hate you\' thing, but after declining to hang out with them for years, I think most have just given up.
I\'ve had panic attacks before in public, no one would know about them, because I hide it, but inside my head I am only looking to get the hell out of there and go home. Sometimes, I feel like there is a spotlight on me when in a public place, like everyone is watching me.
But, on the bright side, I am now taking some happy pills that make me feel a bit more normal again. I hate to admit that too, and I hate having to use this as a crutch, but sadly, its true.
My social ineptitude probably doesn\'t come across here on the forums well. But maybe it explains that grossly huge posting number just under my name....
