Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi all,
Vanilla are planning an update to the site on April 24th (next Wednesday). It is a major PHP8 update which is expected to boost performance across the site. The site will be down from 7pm and it is expected to take about an hour to complete. We appreciate your patience during the update.
Thanks all.

Social Anxiety help..

Options
  • 05-12-2014 11:17pm
    #1
    Patrick94
    Registered Users Posts: 1 ✭


    So, I'm 20 years old and as per the title I am crippled with Social Anxiety Disorder.
    It's so bad that I can't get a job, a relationship or even make new friends. I did a 12 month FAS course last year and made it through most of the thing hardly talking. Even when I'm in a shop all I can do is awkwardly make eye contact with the person serving me for a split second and then just keep looking at the counter until we're finished. Even with family members outside of my immediate family I can't really interact very well with them.
    Of course all of this leads to me feeling very depressed a lot of the time because I can't do some of the basic things that come naturally to other people.

    I'm from Waterford City, I have been to my GP to try and get some help but the Doctor was fairly unhelpful and just opted to giving me Prozac, which I took for a while but stopped because they weren't helping.

    So the purpose of this is I'm just asking if anybody knows of any counselors who could help me? Ones who work with people on Medical Cards? Thank you all. :)

    (I don't know if this website should be used for things like this but searching the internet hasn't been helpful)
    Tagged:


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Jack Skellington
    Registered Users Posts: 113 ✭✭Jack Skellington


    Hey Patrick, try checking out any counsellors in your area that practice cognitive behavioural therapy if you haven't heard of it, that's one option you might look at.

    I know what that feeling can be like having quite severe social anxiety so well done on getting yourself to a gp and looking for a counsellor!

    Try not to get too down (easier said than done I know) because the people who appear to have that natural social ability have simply had a hell of a lot more practice at it than you, there's nothing fundamentally lacking in you, it's a matter of learning those basics by practising. Socialising is a skill like any other after all, but seeking out someone like a counsellor who can show you the way is brilliant so best of luck!


  • Options
    #3
    disengage
    Registered Users Posts: 31 ✭disengage


    I'm not sure if I'm qualified to comment on your situation, but I can tell you that I had what I would now consider social anxiety problems when I was younger. Perhaps not as extreme as your description but I avoided a LOT of social interaction unless there was alcohol or drugs involved.

    I can tell you that it has got so much better with age. I would put it down to a combination of facing your fears and just getting older.

    I was a lot more self conscious when I was younger. I think that's pretty common.

    It takes a lot of guts to look for help at age 20. Good on you and I hope you find something.


  • Options
    #4
    Strawberry Swan
    Registered Users Posts: 183 ✭✭Strawberry Swan


    Hey, well done on asking for help. So many people are ashamed about their feelings they never own up to them. You've taken the first step. :)

    I would try to find a doctor that is sensitive to this issue. A clear warning that they're not is that they'll try to put you on a drug straight away. You need to be listened to and understood first.

    Finding a counsellor that suits you is a very personal objective. A counsellor that one person swears by might be the worst kind for you. Check that they have the appropriate accreditation as really anyone can call themselves a counsellor. Talking therapy isn't for everyone but it's well worth a shot. Unfortunately there could be a wait for them on the medical card.

    If it's possible for you, there is an excellent CBT type 14 week course that helps people with social anxiety. It's run by the Mater in Dublin. And as far as I'm aware it's the only one in the country but it's brilliant. It would be well worth the time and cost of travel from Waterford. The medical card covers it too.


  • Options
    #5
    Rubberchikken
    Registered Users Posts: 5,083 ✭✭✭Rubberchikken


    is there a different gp in the practice. doctors differ, and maybe another one would listen to you and treat this problem in a more sympathic manner.

    it's great that you want to deal with it, and it is something that can be sorted enough to let you get on with your life.


  • Options
    #6
    Aeternum
    Registered Users Posts: 471 ✭✭Aeternum


    Hi OP,

    I know how you feel to an extent. I suffer from pretty bad social anxiety as well as depression. The extent of my social anxiety meant that I actually left college last year as I could not attend the lectures and tutorials without having panic attacks. Luckily, I finally decided to go to my GP for help and they have been great. I would definitely recommend attending a different GP, perhaps asking them for a recommendation for a counsellor. I have just attended my first appointment with the local Mental Health team after being referred by my GP and after having a chat with them I feel a lot more hopeful about the future.

    Lately I have been unable to go into shops with more than a few customers, and I would feel extremely panicky if approached by a stranger or someone I did not know very well. I have even completely excluded myself from social situations with close friends as being around more than two or three people at a time creates issues for me.

    I think it would be really beneficial to you to try and visit another GP. Not all of them can be understanding with mental health issues but if you find a good one they will often go above and beyond to try and get you the help you need. Unfortunately I'm nowhere near your are but I really do wish you the best of luck!


  • Advertisement
Advertisement