Not attending lectures-scared and want to isolate.?

Question

I have a huge, embarrassing problem that I havent told anybody because its just so unbelievably pathetic and shameful. Im a first year at uni doing psychology,started in october 06 and i hardly EVER attend lectures.Combination of reasons-going in makes me panic big time,i hate it and although miraculously im keeping on top of work,I only go in wen i have to.I have this thing where i cant leave the house till after about 2pm.Its like im afraid of leaving the house early.Driving me mad.Im not liking uni and i dread going in when i do (about once a week).Im scared, worried and confused. Hope im not the only one like this!Dont know why i cant just get myself into lectures but the thought of going in everyday is daunting.How do i start getting myself to lectures and enjoying them too!Help me out, any advice or comments are welcomed!Need to know why im like this, i feel like a bat. When i look at the other students it makes me want to barl!How do they feel so comfortable?? Thanks

Answer 1

You need to get into counseling now and get a handle on your problem. I'm sure that they must have counselors at your school, please go see them and speak with them. They will give you the help that you are in need of. They will help you to get through this so that you can over come it.

Some times we need to push our selves and go into the very situation that we feel scared about, doing so can often help you to get use to it and over come your fears. You may come to realize that there really isn't any thing to be afraid of after all, that it is just a feeling and nothing more. Some times the more we force our selves into situations where we don't feel comfortable we come to realize that there really isn't any thing to even be afraid of at all.

By forcing our selves to face our fear we show our selves that we are stronger than we thought we were, it impowers us and we do become stronger.

I use to be afraid of speaking in front of people and speaking to large gatherings of people, I was terrified.

It was only after I was hired at the prison that I knew that I had no choice but to get beyond this feeling. I forced my self to speaking with large groups of the inmates at a time. Believe me I got over it and I got over it fast. I knew that if I wanted to continue to work there than I had better pull it together and make like I owned the joint. It wasn't long before I was so use to it that I was talking to a group of 170 male inmates and telling them what I wanted them to do. I got use to working on a unit with the 170 male inmates by my self, with no weapon, since we carried no weapons inside the prison. I haven't been nervous ever since.

After a while I felt like I owned the joint and they had better listen up, believe me they did. You can get over it if you just set your mind to it. If you need to thought, get counseling to help you work this out. You shouldn't have to be afraid, you should never have to live in fear. Get some help to work this out and get your self feeling better about all this. You will make it, I have total faith in you that you will be just fine.

As women we are so strong and some times we can even amaze our selves, with the amount of strength that we have within our selves. Fear is after all nothing, so stop feeding it!!

Get help, get some counseling. Talk with close friends and let them know what is going on with you as they will help give you moral support. It's good to not feel so alone and to have friends who will not only understand but they will be there for you.

Good luck, God Bless you, you will be just fine!

Answer 2

Hi there.

Yes indeed, this does sound like anxiety.
Believe it or not, there is a "quick fix" in the form of anti-depressants, such as Prozac and Zoloft and a couple of others. Though they do have side effects, though they may not, it depends on the person, they are generally very effective, and deal with a wide range of disorders, not just depression. They can deal with Phobias,obssessions, compulsions, depression, and in your case anxiety. The best thing you can do is speak to a psychiatrist. Don`t worry about the stigma attached to these medications, they have helped many people. If you decided to take that route, go to a good doctor, get a diagnosis, and found out what the side effects of the meds are. The downside is that they may cause the symptoms to worsen intitally, but if they work, will give you your life back. There are also other medications, such as anti-anxiolytics, that may help you out, but anti-depressants offer a better and staying solution.

Another option is a psychologist. This person should be able to aid you in a way not using medications, but through therapy. The draw back is that it will take time, and effort.

Whichever way you choose, there are drawbacks.

Answer 3

It sounds like a highly treatable version of an anxiety disorder. If it were me, I would make 3 calls---
1) Mecical Doctor or Psychiatrist. Because in the short term, meds really help some people.
2) A good cognitive behavioralist.
3) The school's Disabled Student Services office, get registered with them, tell them what is going on-- this can save your registration status if you need to drop a class, etc.

Very best of luck, I think you will be really ok.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are having anxiety problems. You need to talk to your advisor or seek out a counselor, and instructor, or anyone who deals with anxiety disorders.

One of the things that can happen with untreated anxiety is that they can grow into phobias. Specifically speaking, agoraphobia, which can manifest itself into leaving a person homebound or unable to leave their house. Things like standing in lines, going out, driving, etc. can become very difficult and the person suffering might decide it's not worth the mental agony and just stop going out.

Answer 5

other people looking so comfortable is your brain tricking you, as how can it be that 1 in 4 of us have got some kind of mental problem, and to me everyone looks fine and i feel like an alien too, im sure i look fine too, but im not. im sure if we saw u we would not know u were scared. im certain not all the other students feel as comfortable as you think..

good luck, i found uni tough too but got through it in the end, u will too!