I'm puzzled; I am shy, but not so much that I don't talk to anyone. I talk to people that are interested in me, and vise versa. The catch is though, I get really reserved, anxious, and alert when I am around a crowd that is under the influence of Alcohol. My heart rate increases, adrenaline kicks in, and I want to bolt. Furthermore, when it comes to drinking for me, I have one drink: beer, margarita, wild turkey...whatever...and I am fine...but I don't dare drink any more, because I fear the consequences of being drunk. Is there a fundamental fear of alcohol? Do I have it? Or is it more social, and the fear of unpredictability while under the influence?
Honest answers please.
2006-12-09 16:13:01 · 5 answers · asked by Dragon Breath 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
As a retired mental health practitioner with extensive work in mental health and chemical abuse/dependence, I can tell you that you sound very healthy. You sound like you have a healthy reservation in your interactions with others, and when a group of people become under the influence of excessive alchohol, you intelligently react with classical symptoms of self preservation which include a desire to leave the situation. Your select and lower level of alcohol consumption sounds very tasteful and intelligent to me, who also drinks very little at any one time and is able to appreciate what I drink much more than the "guzzlers". There is no "fundamental fear of alcohol", just a fundamental fear of drunks in some cases, and you sound like you're doing great. I can't find a diagnosis for you, and I've been diagnosing people psychiatrically for 20+ years! You're just one of the few intelligent and healthy people around. Congratulations! And God Bless you.
2006-12-09 16:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dear Dragon:
Fear is a natural reaction to what we believe to be dangerous. Fear of something is usually based on past experience with it or can be learned by hearing about or seeing others incur negative consequences with the feared object. A fear becomes a phobia when the existence of danger is misperceived (i.e. when there is no real danger in the situation) and the ensuing fear response is one that is exaggerated and quite distressing. In your case, I don't consider drinking in moderation and having your wits about you when around drunk people necessarily a bad thing. If there is more to this problem or it is truly distressing, I recommend you see someone who can let you explore the issue further (psychologist, counselor, etc.)
2006-12-09 16:49:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it is more fear of unpredictability while under the influence. u are not a big partier, and thats a good thing. be proud that u are sensible and u know to take the right paths. most drunken partiers end up in bad situations anyways, i would really worry too much about it. if u do decide to party, make it with a couple good friends, and maybe one trustworthy outsider so u can meet some one new, and be safe and responsible while doing so. i think u will be alright, keep making good choices:)
2006-12-09 16:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by nina 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Alcohol just removes the inhibitions of who someone really is, if they really are jerks but hide it well, alcohol reveals what they are. It could just be instinctive not to hang out with drunks, it could be you remember being lectured about it when younger, or maybe you are too self concious about revealing something about yourself you want to keep hidden?
2006-12-09 16:31:14 · answer #4 · answered by theshadowknows 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anxiety is more put on by stress, fears etc.
Such as before a test the feeling you have is generally anxiety.
I hope it helps.
2006-12-09 16:23:09 · answer #5 · answered by missdramatick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋