I feel mixed on this topic. In some ways, I actually feel more mature than the people around me, but in other ways, I feel like I'm way behind. At 21 I'm just now overcoming my fear of highway driving, and socially I'm so inexperienced I feel naive. So basically when it comes to growing into an independent adult, my anxiety has held me back in a lot of ways. At the same time, though, I feel like I've matured more emotionally because of dealing with depression and isolation and at least overcoming the former. I also feel a little less shallow and impulsive than some of my peers.
You make a good point. I definately feel more mature in ways too beyond my age. I certainly believe I am far less shallow, and much more open minded then alot of people my age that I know. I feel SA really gives us a perspective on things, allows us to watch and take note of the workings of people in social situations. I feel I see through people in social situations and see how they're thinking and why they do things they do. I feel more mature in that sense. Probably why alot of people with SA go into psychology.
I have only just joined this site today, letting my usually overbearingly sceptical side sleep for a second, and after reading this thread I am so glad that I did. This topic has cut right to the heart of my most hidden thoughts about my anxieties, hidden due to the fact I thought this might be the edge of insanity. I am so relieved (as selfish as that sounds) that there are so many others with the exact same thoughts.
For all of my adult life I have felt like there are large parts of me still stuck at the awkward early teenage years or even younger. I am 27 now and over the years I have been fortunate enough to have some good friends, mostly very confident souls, who I have hidden behind in many ways. Just as many of you have described I feel that in many situations I cannot express adult opinions or more recently I am beginning to think even my thoughts are child-like. Thinking about thinking about thinking being a big 'hobby' of mine. I work with mostly older women who are quite maternal over me, confirming that I must give out a childlike vibe, which is great at times as the 'fall-guy' doesn't happen too much but then at others just adds to my feeling of inadequacy. I'm a young man basically leaning on women in their 40's and 50's which reading this back makes me feel a bit sick. I used to do exactly the same in my social life only having become more aware of this subconscious tactic I find I am now avoiding even more and am being more guarded amongst good friends. Hopefully, this is not a trend that will continue.
This is the first post I have written on this site and already the tension in my shoulders is releasing slightly so for better or worse it looks like it will be the first of many. So for anyone still reading I look forward to gaining and giving strength by sharing our experiences.
Blimey. I was just thinking of starting a thread about this. I feel exactly the same way as as you
I'm 20. I feel like a kid too
When I go to work I feel like I'm at college and have taken a wrong turn into the staff room. I work with people who aren't much older than me - my boss is only 22 - and I 'should' be the same as them. But I'm not. I wish it was all just an inferiority complex.
Actually I think I kinda feel younger and older at the same time. Like I feel older, I suppose more mature than a lot of people around my age. But also I think I am quite naive in some ways and can't easily move on from the past when I was a child.
I feel mixed on this topic. In some ways, I actually feel more mature than the people around me, but in other ways, I feel like I'm way behind. At 21 I'm just now overcoming my fear of highway driving, and socially I'm so inexperienced I feel naive. So basically when it comes to growing into an independent adult, my anxiety has held me back in a lot of ways. At the same time, though, I feel like I've matured more emotionally because of dealing with depression and isolation and at least overcoming the former. I also feel a little less shallow and impulsive than some of my peers.
Same here. One of the few things do I like about myself is that I'm very open minded and tolerant, in my head anyway. It's probably a common thing with SA, as people have said in other threads. And I would never, ever take the pee out of someone, it just doesn't compute. Shame I can't express it because I don't talk to anyone.
Joined: Mar 17, 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Florida, USA
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject: Please Help
I feel the exact same way. I'm 21 years old and still don't have my license. I don't feel like I'm old enough to drive. And now my boy friend (whos in the army) wants me to move in with him and I really want to... but I still call my mother for permission to go out to a movie...
Does anyone know anyway of overcoming this? I'd really like to start my life now.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum