[1man]

I have had social phobia for most of my life and thankfully I am now on the road to recovery. As anyone with SA knows it’s extremely difficult to make friends or maintain relationships. I’m wondering how other people with SA make friends or start dating?

In my mind it would be easier to make friends or date someone who has or who is recovering from SA, both would have a lot in common and be able to make exceptions for one another.

I’m just wondering are there any SA type groups in Galway? I think it’s very beneficial to talk to people who know exactly what you’re going through, it might lead to good friendships / help expand the social circle…

I’d love to hear peoples stories on how they met their partners and what (if any) problems cropped up from your SA behaviour.

[mrsherself]

I think the key to it all is honesty. Not straight away obviously!! I don't know if I have SA or not, but I certainly have issues! When me and my then boyfriend got together, he just thought I was really shy.
Then when I got to know him a little better, I explained that I had something like clasutrophobia with groups of people. He understood that, and it wasn't a scary thing for him to hear. Then as we got to know each other even better, I explained in detail.
But I suppose it depends on the type of SA you have?

[1man]

I have general anxiety but have always been able to function, in the sense I go to work, gym, shop, etc… I haven’t socialised in many years and always feel more at ease in the confines of my apartment. Now that I’m winning the battle with SA my thoughts are turning to dating and relationships which are now completely alien concepts to me. I started this post because I wanted to get an idea how people make that special connection, where people just click.

In general I think a lot of people with SA are deep thinkers and over analyse everything. People with SA have a lot in common and have similar reserved personalities. I think with all the commonalities it must make for great relationships.

Things would be easier if someone just created a social anxiety dating site, I’m sure it would be a disaster and they wouldn’t get enough members.

Yes, honesty is usually the best policy. I would hope that anyone I attract into my life would have the emotional intelligence to read my personality and recognise that I am the shy reserved type.