Social anxiety issues
Hi everyone I'm George,
I feel super overwhelmed right now and it feels like I have no one to talk to.
For the last two years I keep facing myself everyday. As a kid I was bullied at school and never talked about it to anyone, later as a teenager I started to struggle with my sexuality and 'til now I can't accept the fact that I'm homosexual. Later on, when I was 17 years old my body started to abandon me, I was in terrible pain and I suffered from mild depression. Visiting a doctor and after many tests I was told I've got an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis to be exact, which makes my life even harder than before.
So, having to deal with all these problems, I ended up being a 27 years old man who has no job, lives with his parents and can't please his partner the way he'd like. My social anxiety feels really severe and I feel so ashamed to ask for help. I don't feel nervous when I'm in public or in a club and places I'll have fun. My anxiety shows up when I have to make a phone call, visit a doctor or talk to people in social services. In general I'm so afraid of people in authority!
Because of all these things I mentioned above, I always end up being paralyzed and I can't go with the flow of our society.
My biggest problem is that I'm afraid to work. I feel like someone is going to hurt me and I'll be making mistakes constantly.
The thing is I know that these thoughts are irrational and don't make any sense to most of the people but..
How can I help myself? 
@GreyGriffin93
Hey George! Thank you so much for seeking support in the Anxiety Community of 7Cups. The experiences you are currently facing definitely are very traumatic and challenging. You are very brave for taking the step to reach for support and want to find solutions that may work for you. We have lots of listeners on the site, you can chat with one by going to the browse listeners page and use the anxiety filter to find the one that is the most suitable for you. In addition, you are welcome to attend the many support sessions occuring on 7cups every day, including Sharing Circle Sessions, where you could talk about the feelings you have and receive support from others in the 7cups community. Have a great day!
@GreyGriffin93
Hi George! The first thing I want to say is that what you're feeling is completely valid, and understandable given the situations you have been through. I know it's complicated to stop being so hard on ourselves when we feel like we can't change, but can't seem to find the strength to do what we feel we need to; but I want to tell you that it is not your fault nor you should feel like your thoughts are invalid. As someone who has experienced that anxious feeling about talking on the phone (specially with people of authority), what helps me do this is feel like I have no option. Maybe kind of make myself do it because no one else will do it for me. I'm not saying that it's easier said and done, but it has helped at times.
You can browse for listeners who have knowledge in this area, or just message me. :) I just want you to know that you're not alone, and there's people here that will be ready to support you in the best way possible.
