I think I have social anxiety

Hello, my name is Michael and im 23 years old. I dont have alot of knowledge about mental health and recently looked into if there was a name for a phobia for being afraid of going #2 in public restrooms cause I cant for the life of me do that. What I ended up finding what social anxiety. After looking into it and really reflecting on how I feel and the choices ive made, ive come to the realization that I probably have SA, if not some other kind anxiety. Unfortunately I dont have any health insurance so theres no way for me to find out right now. I dropped out of high school due to me constantly skipping class cause I just couldnt stand being around all those people. I wouldnt even skip and do something fun, I would just walk the trail by the lake and sometimes go to the local library cause nobody was ever there (small town). I mean who skips class to go to a library? I feel excessively judged by every single person I make eye contact with, I stopped talking to all the friends I did have just cause feeling that constant pressure I feel when im around somebody was easier to avoid. I have a seriously disabled sibling who requires in home nursing, and felt like I couldnt even move around my own house without sneaking around just to avoid them. I quit the only job I ever had at walmart after 3 days because of the overwhelming judgment and pressure I felt.

I just took that Liebowitz test and got 45+46=91 which is severe social anxiety. Im still confused about all this, and im not even sure why im posting this :/ I feel like I cant even walk out the front door without worrying about somebody saying something to me or waving at me or something. I guess im just hoping somebody can sympathize with what im feeling.
 

ImNotMyIllness

Well-known member
Welcome to the forum Michael! I think your social anxiety stems from low self esteem and shame. You assume people are judging you because you're probably judging yourself.

Look into Medicaid. Hopefully your state offers it. If not, do a google search and see if your county or a non profit offers free mental health services. My state county does and next year I will qualify for Medicaid.

Stick around, this is a good forum. :)
 

Teemasterj

Member
You've taken the first steps by looking into why you feel the way you do. Me personally, I couldn't understand why I was anxious in group meetings, in church, in shopping malls, and even in family get togethers. Once I looked on the internet and read about SA it was like finally I could understand what was happening. And not just to me but many others too. I was not alone. The next step is to see how to cope with SA and to live life to the fullest even with SA. I believe you'll be OK.
 

andsorry

Well-known member
I skip class to go to the library and i as well do the sneaking around the house. I almost quit high school, but mum said no. Try a local university clinic. They conduct Anxiety studies.
 
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