Social Anxiety can be harder than most people think - Getting help.
Hey guys :D I was doing some thinking and after seeing just how many people on here have some form of social anxiety it'd be nice to discuss something.
What is the hardest things about seeking out help for your social anxiety?
What I think when I ponder this question is the fact that although there will be so many places you can go to for help, and different things that can be done; there usually always is one big problem - most of it puts you in a social situation to do so. Think about it, if you have problems with being scared of spiders you wouldn't go ask a spider for help, you'd be too scared to try that, so why is it for most help with social anxiety we have to go and talk to people about it? D: It seems to be a big dilemma as you have to go through a lot of hardship and face your social anxiety and take it head on to be able to even try to get help most of the time, this just makes it way too hard to get help most of the time in my opinion, I'd be glad to hear everyone else's opinion on this :D
I think one of the hardest things to overcome is the fear of judgment.
In today's society, it is the norm that you should not express your weakness but only your strength. And that you shouldn't seek help because no one will care. Anxiety is often times seen as a sign of weakness.
However, that is all false. To be able to overcome that weakness is a strength itself. That's the beauty of it.
Do go seek help because there are people and resources there available for you. By not talking about it to someone is making the problem potentially worse. Remember you aren't alone in this and that there are people who can and will help you.
As a side rant, we as a society should stop judging people based on dispositional values but rather situational values. This is called fundamental attribution error. If everyone can learn to do this, society would be a much better place.
@SenpaiXD sadly judgement is a thing that has to naturally happen, what we need to change is out actions, it's like the difference between between not liking a person, and telling them. If you keep your judgements to yourself and don't let them get in the way then it's all good. We eed to learn to treat everyone with respect :D but still this will always be a problem that'll bring us down D: <3
Hardest thing about getting help for social anxiety is admitting just how extensive it is. Every man and most women I meet now, I assess whether or not they're capable of the violence I've lived through
@RiparianEcho I have Social Anxiety as well, it seems so darn diffecult to overcome it. I really don't have a lot of friends and it's hard making friends because of the fear there judging you. It's frustrating and now that I'm in college it is even harder. It makes me depressed.
@RiparianEcho oh yea hthat definitely can be difficult as if it's extremely severe then it's so much harder to explain than not :O Hope you can manage to do it though <3
Its hard livong with it because i feel so misuderstood. I tell people i hsve anxiety and they laugh or think im being ridiculous. I feel so alone. No friends and nobody to talk to. Im constantly thinking the worst with everythimg and i cant stop ruminating on negative thoughts. I feel like a weird person...not normal... cursed...
@Tommib awww darling no matter what you like everyone else are amazing :D all people have worth and deserve good things :D this includes you ^-^ I know exactly how it can feel to have thoughts like that :o but remember at least on 7cups you aren't alone and we are all here for oyu <3
I have Asperger's and I have a hard time telling what people are feeling. I can't tell when things are tense or when people are trying to be manipulative. These things can be really confusing for me, and it generates a lot of social anxiety for me.
In terms of asking for help, I haven't really gotten around to it. I guess the more time I spend around close friends or people I trust the more I feel comfortable and the more I feel like I can handle certain situations. If I were to suggest anything, it would be to do social activiies with friends or family and you'll build confidence that way.
@BeingOfService good words there :o having people close to you can make you feel so much better and safer and more comfortable ^-^ not being able to tell how people feel must be really hard D: like if you don't know then it must make you worried that it could be the wrong thing :o I hope you'll keep on getting better with this and get the proepr support you deserve :D <3
@KeananWillListen Thank you for the reply. Yeah it can be challenging to read social clues. It's really tough with dating and finding a girlfriend. I can never tell if girls are giving me signs that they like me or not and it's caused both missed opportunities and unwelcome advancements on my end. I can never seem to get it right.
Coming to 7cups helps a lot. Honestly, I like coming here more than seeing my psychologist or my psychiatrist. They always tell me the same things over and over again. It's not easy making positive changes, but I can do it.
Best wishes to you. Good job on replying to everyone's post.
@BeingOfService no problem I always try to reply :p and it's great 7cups has been good for you :D <3
The hardest thing can actually be seeking help. I'v been to scared to even tell someone what is going on. A friend told me i should go talk to a schook counselor because of a panic attack i had one day (also because of depression) but I was too scared to make an appointment or just walk in. I can't even talk to a listener on here because I see their face/profile pic. I always have to talk to someone I can't see... Sounds weird but yeah.
@MusicLover07 yup I know exactly how you feel :o it can be really intimidating can't it? D: *huggles* I hope you will sometimes build up the courage to be able to battle through and get the proper support you deserve ^-^ <3
@KeananWillListen
Thanks :) I appreciate the understanding.
@MusicLover07 hehe no problem darling :p <3
how to explain to them about my problems
@Yurra Definitely explaining how it feels is so hard :O maybe use metaphors? :D Wish you the best of luck ^-^ <3
I've had social anxiety for 5 years (11-16) and the hardest part for me was simply coming out to someone about having this problem because my parents weren't there and i didn't have that many friends. but even now where i have a good group of friends i still wear this mask of happiness to hide away my depression and sadness.
@tidybunny0331 Well 7cups is always here for you darling :D even when it's so sad that you don't really have people irl :c maybe if you get the chance and feel like you can jump on getting irl support that might really help you :D wish you the best of luck ^-^ <3
The hardest part is the fear of being told you're being over dramatic. That it's really not a big deal. That it's just an excuse. I fear that they will belittle me as they see no validation of my anxiety.
@generousCat7100 Validation definitely is an extremely important tihng you need to feel whe nyou are opening up or else it'll just scare you away more D: hope you can find people who will validate you <3
I totally agree. You have to face your fear in order ro get help facing your fear. It is terrifying to ask for help and tell your deepest fears and struggles to someone, even if you have every reason to trust them. Letting someone see the worst of you that you try to hide and fearing them judging you for it is a great challenge. But if you can find the right person to help you it is worth it
@C321 Glad you agree :D any other input? :o <3
For me one of the hardest things is that no one around me takes it seriously so it's really hard to find people who get what it's like
@JulzyFlowerGoddess
I hear you. I also feel that even though i thinknof myself as easy going and funny.. ppl dont always take to me straight away. Sometimes id rather just sit on my own than try to entertain people.
@hopfull Well that sucks :/ but introvertism is always okay if you enjoy it :D <3
@JulzyFlowerGoddess yup the miseducation and lack of proper support can be real hard D: maybe try to educate them or talk to a proffesional? :o Hope you can get the support you deserve <3