New here, here's my story

greta · Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2004 12:47 pm Post subject: oooops

The above post is written by me. I didn't realize I wasn't logged in.

Instead of guest, it should be greta.

Regal70 · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2004 12:30 am Post subject:

Maybe the younger people are lucky, as now they have TV ads about social phobia which were unheard of a few years ago. Not that I think I'm old, but, I wish I had known earlier. Just knowing I have it helps me alot, because I am beginning to recognize what are my "real thoughts" and what might be "phobia thoughts". If I can think about it and recognize it I have a better chance of rejecting it. I've just begun to realize I was reacting to many things like a programmed machine because of anxiety when really it makes no sense at all --these are the phobia thoughts and I shouldn;t listen to them. For example, today I thought I said something stupid, and when I got home what I said was going back and forth through my mind a million times, and I was beginning to blow everything way out of proportion like everyone in the world saw that and thought it was stupid, etc. Then I realized it was probably just the phobia talking, and no one probably noticed much and it doesn;t really mean anything to anyone anyway!! No one really cares at all, except for my own phobia!! Before I could never point out what the phobia was doing to my thoughts, and it made me believe I really did say something stupid! (and of course, if you think you said something stupid, who wants to talk again!)

Guest · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 12:58 pm Post subject:

Thats a good way of putting it Regal, being able to recognize " real thoughts " from "phobic ones". I know what you mean.

greta · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2004 1:02 pm Post subject:

Visitor · Guest

I agree with all of you. I also hate it when others point out how "quiet" or "shy" you are. That makes matters worse. How come loud, obnoxious people don't get singled out more often? I wish I had gotten help as a shy child, then I wouldn't have become a shy adult. But back in the 70s, seeing a "counselor" or "shrink" wasn't the "in" thing to do. I really believe I had what they now call "selective mutism." Although I have improved, I'm still not 100% comfortable around strangers or talking in front of groups. I had a college teacher mention my name and another lady's name to the class saying that "we need to keep in mind that participation counts towards our grades." He embarrassed us in front of the whole class! I wanted to belt him.

I have a tendency to blush a lot. I can't stop it - and yes, others point that out and make fun. Even though I think I'm a good person, some days I wish I could have been born with a whole different personality! Crying or Very sad