is my family supposed to help me?

Question

i'm 18; still living at home with my parents and sister and i have social anxiety. i feel like my enviorment at home is one of the problems. my parent's argue over little things every day and it makes me nervous. there's always yelling in our house and i feel like none of us know how to communicate. i feel like they don't understand my problem at all. so would it be wrong of me to ask them to try to make some adjustments? should i try to explain to them what social anxiety is like? or would that make things worse because then they might just baby me and tell me it's okay if i don't wanna talk..? it's just i find myself more nervous when i'm around my family and at my house than when i'm anywhere else. but i can't move out until i learn to cope. it seems impossible.
i'm not blaming them by the way.

i did see a psychiatrist and am taking meds i was just curious if my family should be involved with this.

Answer 1

I know your not blaming them, but they can contribute to this. You definately have some valid concerns. If I could recommend something to you, it would be to get in touch with a therapist that you are comfortable with and you can trust to work out these issues. It will take time, but can be well worth it. Maybe you don't need medicine, but if an anti-depresent, or anti-anxity medicine makes it easier for you to cope being around people, and holding down a job then it might be a good thing for you. You'll need to see a pshyciatrist for that, or possibly your medical doctor will prescribe it although they dont' usually like to do that.

Answer 2

the best way is to learn about your disorder. one place to start is the DSM-IV-TR, the manual of mental disorders. you can find it in the library in the reference section. make a copy of what it says about it and maybe even other anxiety disorders. this will help you when talking to your parents since it gives the signs you need to have in order to have the disorder. i also think maybe the best way for you to learn to cope with it, is to move out since your home life is causing it. but do try to go see a psychologist, and if they and you think you need meds, then go to a psychiatrist. try to think more about why you feel this way and when you feel that way because the more you know why this is happening to you and the more you understand your disorder, the better it is to tell others and explain it to them and have them understand. good luck

Answer 3

You can try, but asking them to change the whole way that they deal with each other is a big request, and it might not make them too happy. If I was doing something that was causing my children stress I would want to know about it, though.
Give it a try. tell them what you are suffering through, what you are doing to try to improve, and ask for their help (i.e. less yelling).
Good luck!

Answer 4

It seems to me you are depressed and need to get away from friends and family. No don't move out but find one new friend who is like yourself and find reasons to be out visiting. If you are afraid of everyone I don't know what to say. I will be your friend if you wear a headphones. I will pm you when it is bad at home. You don't need the medication for family yet.

Answer 5

If you are not currently in therapy, you need to start as soon as possible. Once you have estabilished a solid therapeutic alliance with your psychologist, request a family session. Your psychologist can assist you in speaking with your family and explaining how they can best be helpful to you.

Hang in there,
~M~

Answer 6

It is hard to change your parents and other people. It is easier to adapt and to change your own perception to many occurences that happen in your life.
All children go through this phase of life.