Hi Monique. Wow, do I understand. I've never been diagnosed but am pretty sure I have the disorder. When I was young whenever anyone came to the house, I would hide away if it was a stranger. Even if it was relations and would have to meet them, I would get away as quickly as possible. Now, I'm a lot older, when I have to go and get the mail. I check up and down the street first to make sure nobody is coming that I might have to meet. Can connect with your feelings of anxiety and irritability sometimes. Crowds or even waiting in a grocery line just builds up the pressure. But the good news is that though its a disability, it's not crushing and can have benefits. We typically spend a lot of alone time. So we can be quite smart and become very proficient at things. We can really succeed when we push through the fear and lead with our ability. But there is a downside too. Because of our ability and often thoughtfulness and kind of used to being a one person show, it is possible we can become a little too dogmatic and arrogant when we do succeed. I'm certainly guilty as charged. Do you find it difficult to look at a person directly? I don't think I really ever have. Even find it uncomfortable to even look at my own face in the mirror. It's possible that this trait might increase the chance that some people you just meet at random will tend to show signs of dislike or suspicion. Or maybe it's something else? Or maybe I'm imagining it? Have you ever had that sense? Certainly nice to meet you on the site. Looking forward to further videos. Been living with this for a long time. Ups and downs. But can't complain. Things could've been worse.
Thank you for sharing! I'm glad this video spoke to you. Social Anxiety Disorder is a disability (like you said), and the good news is it is treatable! I agree that there are benefits to having SAD. For example, I am very self-aware and thoughtful. However, I sometimes hyper-focus on the wrong things and can take on an arrogant attitude. We all have things to work on, though, SAD or not. To answer your question, I actually have not ever had trouble with eye contact. In fact, if someone looks at me for too long, I used to interpret that as a show of dominance and would purposely stare back at that person until they broke eye contact first as a way of standing my ground! However, you are not alone in your struggle. As for looking at myself in the mirror, I have always been able to do it, but it took many years of work to like myself and, therefore, the person I saw looking back at me. When you like yourself, it comes off in the way you carry yourself, speak, and behave. People can definitely tell! But that won't make people dislike you or be suspicious of you--especially the people who already like themselves. Those people will only want to help you and lift you up. Last thing--don't minimize your struggles; they are just as valid as someone else's! I wish you the best and look forward to making more videos on SAD for people like you!
Hi Monique. Wow, do I understand. I've never been diagnosed but am pretty sure I have the disorder. When I was young whenever anyone came to the house, I would hide away if it was a stranger. Even if it was relations and would have to meet them, I would get away as quickly as possible. Now, I'm a lot older, when I have to go and get the mail. I check up and down the street first to make sure nobody is coming that I might have to meet. Can connect with your feelings of anxiety and irritability sometimes. Crowds or even waiting in a grocery line just builds up the pressure. But the good news is that though its a disability, it's not crushing and can have benefits. We typically spend a lot of alone time. So we can be quite smart and become very proficient at things. We can really succeed when we push through the fear and lead with our ability. But there is a downside too. Because of our ability and often thoughtfulness and kind of used to being a one person show, it is possible we can become a little too dogmatic and arrogant when we do succeed. I'm certainly guilty as charged. Do you find it difficult to look at a person directly? I don't think I really ever have. Even find it uncomfortable to even look at my own face in the mirror. It's possible that this trait might increase the chance that some people you just meet at random will tend to show signs of dislike or suspicion. Or maybe it's something else? Or maybe I'm imagining it? Have you ever had that sense? Certainly nice to meet you on the site. Looking forward to further videos. Been living with this for a long time. Ups and downs. But can't complain. Things could've been worse.
Thank you for sharing! I'm glad this video spoke to you. Social Anxiety Disorder is a disability (like you said), and the good news is it is treatable! I agree that there are benefits to having SAD. For example, I am very self-aware and thoughtful. However, I sometimes hyper-focus on the wrong things and can take on an arrogant attitude. We all have things to work on, though, SAD or not. To answer your question, I actually have not ever had trouble with eye contact. In fact, if someone looks at me for too long, I used to interpret that as a show of dominance and would purposely stare back at that person until they broke eye contact first as a way of standing my ground! However, you are not alone in your struggle. As for looking at myself in the mirror, I have always been able to do it, but it took many years of work to like myself and, therefore, the person I saw looking back at me. When you like yourself, it comes off in the way you carry yourself, speak, and behave. People can definitely tell! But that won't make people dislike you or be suspicious of you--especially the people who already like themselves. Those people will only want to help you and lift you up. Last thing--don't minimize your struggles; they are just as valid as someone else's! I wish you the best and look forward to making more videos on SAD for people like you!