I really do. I had two functions this weekend and I found that I was SO uncomfortable at them. I HATE having conversations with people I don't know. They freak me out. I never know what to say and I stumble over my words constantly. One of the functions was for work and there were TONS of parents there and I just cannot talk to them. I freak out and draw a blank and don't talk at all. I must look like the biggest weirdo. I never used to be like this, but in the last couple of years, I have become so incredibly self-conscious that I can't even function normally at large gatherings. I feel like a freak. I just hate when I am expected to start conversations. I don't really care to make small talk with people just for the sake of doing so because it just feels so fake and uncomfortable. Please tell me I am not alone with this.
Rainmama
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I know EXACTLY how you feel!!!!!!! And I too was not like this until recent years. I freeze up when I have to talk to strangers. It's awful.
marymoon
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I'm the same way! ALwyas ahve been. I want to meet everyone so badly and I get to nervous about LIW gtg's
The Original 2nd-time-around
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I could have written that myself. I'm just not sociable with people I dont know and never know what to say.
kelswiss
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I am the same way. I get so nervous and uncomfortable in situations like that.
kittyke
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I have this too, sometimes, it is weird, it is only with certain gatherings, I feel very uncomfortable, almost like anxiety.
antoinette
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I am totally the same way. I am so bad on keeping up my side of the conversation and i almost never say hello to someone ( that I really dont know well) unless they say hello to me first and I feel like I am very unapproachable. I wish that I could be different but this is the way I ve always been. I have such a hard time making firends.
tracyg
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I'm the same way. I hate meeting new people, i never know what to say, I hate small talk, i feel like people won't like me. People think i'm stuckup or don't like them because I am just so incredibly shy and fearful of meeting new people. (thats why i've never gone to a gtg) Sometimes i actually break out in a cold sweat in social situations. It really sucks. I even hate calling people i don't know on the phone.
marymoon
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
Posted by tracyg
I'm the same way. I hate meeting new people, i never know what to say, I hate small talk, i feel like people won't like me. People think i'm stuckup or don't like them because I am just so incredibly shy and fearful of meeting new people. (thats why i've never gone to a gtg) Sometimes i actually break out in a cold sweat in social situations. It really sucks. I even hate calling people i don't know on the phone.
I feel exactly the same way! I even get upset trying to call people I DO know if I don't know who's gonna answer the phone.
Jax430
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I get the same way very often, although I often find that my anxiety subsides as an event wears on. As far as phone calls, I HATE making them to people I don't know, or to Dr's offices, etc. I even used to hate calling DH's house if I didn't know HE would be the one picking up.
I was really nervous before my first LIW GTG, but i'm glad I ended up going!
SandraLynn
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I am the same way...I was even that way at my own bridal shower yesterday! I work P/T in retail, and love talking to those folks, but put in a social gathering, ahhh, dah, what do I do or say?
tracyg
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
i had a problem at my shower too. I had to read out the questions and answer to this 'Tracy quiz' type thing, and I hated having all eyes on me. So I wasn't saying it very loud and my SIL kept telling me to talk louder and she put me on the spot and I felt embarassed. My face got all hot and flushed and I wanted to cry. I just wanted to leave at that point.
neesiepie
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
You guys just described how I feel whenever I am in any kind of social situation. It's always when there are large groups of people...even my close friends...i always feel nervous! I get so nervous, that god forbid there is a 10 second pause in conversation, I end up saying stupid things just to fill in the gaps in conversations...so lately I find myself just not saying anything! I hate small talk.....especially when there are people there you kinda know, but arent close to...it's easier to make small talk with a complete stranger, but when it's someone you have already made that small talk with, you can't really ask them 'so where do you live, where did you go to school?' since you already know at that point... oh boy. I am babbling now just thinking about it....
kbeana24
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
Seriously, I think I have one too. I used to be afraid to call people on the phone, and I stumble a lot when trying to get my thoughts across because I know what I want to say, but for some reason I freeze when I try to get it OUT. Whenever I go out with friends, whom I should feel comfortable with, Im always the quietest one in the group. I used to think WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME that I dont TALK!! I just get very self conscious and doubt my own thoughts and ideas when people are looking at me. I hate it!!
neesiepie
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
Posted by kbeana24
Seriously, I think I have one too. I used to be afraid to call people on the phone, and I stumble a lot when trying to get my thoughts across because I know what I want to say, but for some reason I freeze when I try to get it OUT. Whenever I go out with friends, whom I should feel comfortable with, Im always the quietest one in the group. I used to think WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME that I dont TALK!! I just get very self conscious and doubt my own thoughts and ideas when people are looking at me. I hate it!!
Yep...it's like the MORE you wonder and worry about not talking, the more quiet you get!
bluegrl24ny
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Posted by marymoon
I'm the same way! ALwyas ahve been. I want to meet everyone so badly and I get to nervous about LIW gtg's
WOW - me too!!!! 121502, marymoon and everyone else replying to this - You are totally NOT alone, I am the same exact way!! I'd love to meet everyone here but then when GTG's come up - I avoid them bc I think if you guys meet me in person you'd think I was really a big dork! Funny thing is - with my friends and family I'm completely crazy and outgoing, and as long as they're around, I'll talk to anyone! BUT, wheneven I'm alone, like when I'm at work (perfect example) I'm so not myself when it comes to socializing and I always feel like the biggest dweeb since everyone else seems to be so effortlessly social! LOL - we should have an anti-social LIW GTG so we'll all feel comfy knowing we're all the same way! Don't feel like you're alone though - I'm slowly starting to realize that there's a LOT more people besides myself that feel this way, and it's kind of comforting!
februarybride
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
Wow, I thought I was the only one! It drives me crazy....sometimes I just have to put myself in the 'mood' to be extroverted and if I do, then it comes a little easier. I think it has to do with confidence. I know that if I feel good about myself that day then the conversations flow better - weird right?!
prncssrachel
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
OMG, I can't even believe the response this thread got! I seriously thought I was the only one (in a figurative way). I'm so glad I came back tonight to check this thread. And as some of you stated....I, too, am terrified to pick up the phone and call people. Especially now that there's caller id, I think that if someone doesn't answer, it's because they saw it was me I don't know what's wrong with me. With my friends and family, I am very outgoing, but I cannot be normal around people I don't know well. Either I say NOTHING or I run my mouth so bad that I look like a complete fool. And I notice it happening at work. I am just so convinced all the people I work with think I am a moron because I just babble and make no sense at all. Put me in a room with kids and I can talk to them until I am blue in the face, throw their parents in the mix and I forget what the hell I'm there for. And I am already dreading back to school night which is over a week away. I just cannot speak to adults. I just feel like everyone is judging me. I really need to get a grip
matron
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
I'm the same exact way. I even get like this with friends at times too. Sometimes I make plans and bail out last minute because I feel like I'm such a social phobe. I hate it, but it's good to know there are others out there too. God, we should have a Paxil thread or something.
BriBri529
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Re: I think I have a social phobia...
Posted by neesiepie
Posted by kbeana24
Seriously, I think I have one too. I used to be afraid to call people on the phone, and I stumble a lot when trying to get my thoughts across because I know what I want to say, but for some reason I freeze when I try to get it OUT. Whenever I go out with friends, whom I should feel comfortable with, Im always the quietest one in the group. I used to think WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME that I dont TALK!! I just get very self conscious and doubt my own thoughts and ideas when people are looking at me. I hate it!!
