do i have Social anxiety? need help. its strange....?

Question

just read on wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_anxiety
and i have a few doubts.


sometimes i cant speak to the ppl i know for eg at work or class but i can sooooooo openly and freely talk to ppl i dont even know. say a beautifull girl sitting alone under the shade of the tree on a hot summer day like today.

i love to meet new ppl but i cant speak to them a day later even though i have a connection. i dont know y.

can anyone help. is there any anxiety at all.

yes i am a bit moody but this happens to most ppl.

even though i have talked to the person but its quite likely i wont be able to talk the next day

Answer 1

You are afraid to be judged by others which is why day 1 is easier to cope with than day 2. They know you better the next day. I'm thinking some where in your past people have knocked you for something they didn't approve of. Remember it is only their opinion and you should never alter yourself to be accepted.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have social anxiety that comes out in certain situations. You may have had some early experiences that make you more anxious in certain settings. If you do a search on social anxiety at Amazon.com, you will see there are a lot of books that offer advice on this problem. Since you already know that you can talk to people in certain settings (some people can't even do this), you just have to get past whatever it is that shuts you down in other settings. You want to take a cognitive approach, which means changing your thinking so you can change your actions. You don't necessarily need a psychiatrist or anti-anxiety medications, because you don't sound that extremely handicapped. I'd start with a self-help book and try some of the exercises they recommend. I'll bet you can get past this. People with social anxiety are often very sensitive people who can have deep relationships with others, so overcoming this will be not only a gift to yourself but also to the other people who will enjoy getting to know you better.

I struggled with this when I was younger, so I do understand what you are feeling. I know it is possible to change the way you relate to the world. Good luck!

Answer 3

I suffer from social anxiety & it sounds like you have the beginning stages of it. It's not something that you just wake up with. its a gradual process. Sometimes you wont understand it because you are fine around people one day & then not the next.
Take me for example. For some stupid, stupid reason i feel more comfortable around people who struggle to speak english e.g- if i have to go to the doctors i would rather go to a chinese or indian doctor who barley speaks english, etc. Everyone who suffers from SA suffer in there own different way. Since you are in the beginning stages of it, i STRONGLY recommend you see your doctor. Dont let this go on please! I wish i had gone years ago. I had a very active social life until i moved a few suburbs away & didn't see my friends as much. & when i did see them i had major panic attacks. It makes you isolated, deppressed & suicidal.

Answer 4

You may want to confirm with a doctor. Also, check it out this site:

http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/?utm_source=YahooAnswers&utm_medium=link%2Bpost

It has helped many people that got panic/anxiety attacks....and the methods used don't require the use of medication!

Hope this helps you...

Answer 5

Michelle hit it right on. You're ok with strangers because you can be yourself (or what you think you should be). With you're co-workers, you're nervous because you think they know you. They don't. Just be sure about want you're talking about and don't back down. Have all your ducks in a row. Of course, I find humor a very good diversion. good luck.

Answer 6

Sounds like you go through solitary moods. I wouldn't call this social phobia, just moodiness.

Answer 7

No, you don't have social anxiety. You just need love. That's all.