This is social anxiety?

Question

I am full of information and things I can talk about, but I noticed that around other people I find it hard to access this information.

For example, we would all be sitting down eating and everyone would be talking about something. All putting in their two cents.. and I might know a lot more but I find it hard to put what I know into words, and sometimes I can't really express what I know or how I feel.

I can express myself good with words, but I can't do so vocally. I don't know if it's anxiety or maybe ADD?

Answer 1

Social anxiety can cause these feelings, which can also lead to severe depression,
http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/ds...

if not you could be suffering from Generalized Anxiety
Disorder..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/general_anx...

There is hope; I've been there, and still am there, it is a long, hard struggle. I recommend
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cognitive_b... worked best for me, with mild anti-anxiety meds. I suffered from social anxiety for over 15 years. I've tried individual therapy, and group therapy and studied psychology for 10 years, as a profession, but also with the hope to cure myself.

Depending on your comfort level, you could go to a psychologist that practices CBT and specializes in anxiety disorders, seek a group therapy, or create one. Usually those that do attend the group therapy are a bit more high functioning because as you know, it can be difficult to speak in a group.

Another idea is to see if there are any local research studies being conducted that you could participate in.

The program that finally worked the best for me is this one: http://www.socialanxiety.us/findinghelp.... and I was lucky enough to have a structured behavioral group to go along with it. Sometimes the people that actually attend this program come back home and form groups.

I recommend a mild anti-anxiety med in addition to CBT therapy.

Any questions, let me know ... I can't tell you how much this has improved my life!

Answer 2

Well, I have much the same problem, and when I discussed it with my psychologist, she said that this is common with anxiety. Specifically, performance anxiety - where you need to say something, and because you're under pressure to say it (even if the only person putting that pressure on you is you), the words won't come to you, or your mind goes blank.

To the second poster: "I can express myself good with words, but I can't do so vocally" makes perfect sense (well, except for the slightly-off grammar ;) ). He's saying that he can express himself in writing, but not verbally (out loud, speaking).

Answer 3

Eliminate Social Anxiety And Shyness : http://tinyurl.com/K6vfzTLLXZ

Answer 4

I think you just arent good under pressure or even if not pressure the idea of being put down for what you say might be a fear i dont think add is the problem tho

Answer 5

Your handle seems to indicate that you do mushrooms and or other drugs. I'm an expert on hiding there too. If you want to change your life, stop the drugs, go to counseling or NA or AA and start working a program of recovery. It only gets worse, never better. The real expert on this is sleeping under the cardboard box, in your nearest city.

Answer 6

This shares NO symptomology with ADD. You say you're good with words but not vocally. That IS with words. Imconfounded and can't help unless you want to email me and further explain.

Answer 7

It is not ADD, it"s anxiety. Watch yourself when you are around people, and notice if you have your shoulders raised slightly, which is a sign (of many) of anxiety. You need to learn to relax when with company. Perhaps a physician can help you with a light medication to curb your anxious feelings.