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How did I find out I have Social Anxiety Disorder?

When I found out that I have Social Anxiety Disorder, it was just 6 months ago. And when I got to know that there is something wrong with me, it was in 7th grade. So, I had just started giving speeches in 6th grade, and every time I got onto the stage, my brain flooded my body with fight-or-flight responses like sweating, blushing, tightness in the chest, trembling hands and feet, dizziness while giving speeches, my mind going completely blank, panting, etc. And before speeches, I faced digestive issues like indigestion and nausea, but I still got up and went to the stage. At that time, I usually memorised 2-minute speeches and delivered them. And I gave 10 to 12 speeches and self-introductions etc., but the symptoms were the same every time. But at that time, I had shyness + social anxiety, so by giving repetitive speeches, my shyness was cured, but not the social anxiety. It was still there as it was before. In 7th and 8th grade I gave them, but nothing changed. Every time, the anxiety was the same. But in 9th grade, teachers started taunting me, and in 7th, 8th, and 9th grade I was bullied, which worsened my anxiety and decreased my self-esteem. And now I am here in 10th grade. I gave a presentation this year and it was a mess, and then I cried for the whole night and denied doing it again because I knew I can't memorise a 5-minute presentation and ignore the thoughts that everyone is judging me for the whole 5 minutes. So now, I usually skip speeches and presentations until my CBT.
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User Profile: AsherTree
AsherTree Monday

@cherishedMagic7425

Congratulations for trying so hard! It sounded difficult about what you have achieved so far..

I hope you never give up, never surrender... and only do what you feel you can achieve.. We all ain't amazing public speakers.. 

Thanks for sharing! 🌲

1 reply

@AsherTree🌸🙏🏼

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User Profile: akunknown
akunknown Tuesday

@cherishedMagic7425

I’m sorry you have Social Anxiety Disorder but happy you found out that you have it. It’s difficult living with it but it’d have been much harder living with it without knowing you had it. 

I lived with social anxiety disorder and shyness. I found out that I was shy during my middle or high school years. I didn’t know I had social anxiety disorder also until somewhere in the last couple of years. 

1 reply
User Profile: cherishedMagic7425
cherishedMagic7425 OP Wednesday

@akunknown 

 Thanks for support. And yeah it was quite harder to live with it without knowing what it really is. For a long time i treated it like shyness without knowing that it was as serious as Social Anxiety Disorder. No one really understands what it is really like in the place where I come from.


I was also shy until 6th grade but then i cured my shyness after giving multiple speeches but SAD was never cured like that. My parents often used to say even dumber kids than you give better speeches than you. I didn’t knew what was the problem only with me that it just happens with me but no one else can even feel it the way i do.


But here i really feel supported as I can talk to a lot of people who have the same problem and can understand me in a better way than my parents and people around me.

Thanks again. 🙏🏼

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User Profile: WellsFiction
WellsFiction Wednesday

@cherishedMagic7425 One time I had to give a speech in front of a class I took during college. I was terrified and honestly didn't give the best speech, yet when I told the class ok I'm done talking now and returned to my desk everyone just clapped and cheered for me which was really cool.

2 replies
User Profile: cherishedMagic7425
cherishedMagic7425 OP 3 days ago

@WellsFiction In 6th grade when it was my first speech and i was on stage my hands were trembling and i was facing all fight or flight responses i thought i have messed up with my speech but after giving it when i came back to my place my friends they really appreciated me like your speech was good, you did well etc.

But now as i am still suffering from narcissistic bullying i don't like to give speeches when my bully is in the room because i cant control my SAD in front of a person who is looking for my mistakes every time and the opportunity to make me feel small.😞

Well thanks for support.


1 reply
User Profile: WellsFiction
WellsFiction 2 days ago

@cherishedMagic7425 No problem. You're welcome. Thank you for responding. You're aware and that helps big time :)

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