Personal Stories
Shame
I myself, started to write something about shame, self-esteem in a blog, but I think it could help more in this area, at least I hope. more...
by Bon
September 21, 2007, 06:51 PM
What I’ve learned about Social Anxiety
I learned that SA isn’t just fearing social activities. It’s, also, about the fear of making a phone call, not walking outdoors, or go to the mailbox for fear of seeing a neighbor who wants to say hello. Fear of being called upon in class for an answer or to read out of a book or even to write something on the blackboard. How I remember those days. A job interview is unthinkable. I may answer wrong. Having guests for dinner is impossible. The thought of the house not being perfect and the meal being unacceptable is horrible. Overnight guests are more than unthinkable. Making decisions about social events is just as hard. Others may not be satisfied with my ideas or time of event. I’d rather go alone than to ask someone for fear they would think my choice is dumb or they wouldn’t enjoy themselves. more...
by Rae
August 14, 2007, 08:47 PM
My Life With Anxiety
I cannot remember ever not having SAD. It affected me in high school with the girls, and it has pretty much destroyed my marriage, although we are still together after 28 years. My wife simply cannot understand, and how do I explain it to her when I simply cannot understand either. 10 years ago I went on xanax, and it has literally saved my life. I take just .5mg 3 times a day, and I never abuse it. But even with my medication, I struggle still. I have tried so many different therapies and techniques, but I cant seem to get anything to work. I know I have underlying problems, that must be addresed in order to somewhat heal, but I just cant seem to solve the main problem. I have a good woman, who was a wonderful mother, but we just cant get along anymore, and that adds to my anxiety. more...
by Robigibo
July 16, 2007, 12:05 PM
Runaway
My parents divorced when i was 14 years old. Being the only one out of three boys who had adjustment problems, I was put into my first treatment center, which would be the first out of a long list eventually throughout my life. I can’t remember what I was diagnosed with, but my doctor wanted to put me on medication. I can’t remember what med it was, but having an aunt in the family who was totally against meds at the time (this was 1984), she told my mom it was a bad idea, and that there were other "natural" treatment options. So my doctor was told no, that they didn’t want me on meds. Now, the problem here is, coming from a dysfunctional family of heavy drinkers, and they themselves having SA, anxiety, bipolar etc..., I never even got the "natural" treatments, or the medicine the doctor wanted me on. more...
by Ciresi
July 10, 2007, 07:01 PM
SAS Friends
One of my favorite areas on SAS is the new Friends section. It's similar to MySpace.com. It works on the same principle but it's created especially for SAS members. You have the option to add or deny a person. There's a PM feature, IM, quizzes, bulletins, you can upload photos, there's an event area where you can join group or create a group, and you can make it public or private. While I won't say its unmoderated or rules aren't enforced, in my opinion, it offers more freedom; you're interacting with people on a one to one basis, yet in a safe environment. more...
by Realspark
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Becky's Story
Four years ago I read a small article in my local paper about social anxiety. It sounded so much like what I suffered from that felt I needed to get more information. I got online and found SAS and joined. It was the first time in my life that I didn't feel like a freak. There were actually other people out there who were going through the same thing. It was a great feeling knowing that I wasn't alone. more...
by Becky
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Bon's Story
I always thought that if I found the right medication, I could keep my SA in check. I was always looking for the perfect medication to make my life easier.
In 2003, I went to work for a large organization. It was different from any environment I had ever experienced. I could do my job, but when it came to dealing with my co-workers, we had little in common. I started going for walks during my lunch hour. Then I would hear, "What's wrong with her? Too good to sit with us?" That didn't help. I just didn't know what to say to those people who had been on the job for years. more...
by Bon
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
I Struck Back With Anger
Anger works. I used anger one time in high school to finally force myself to ask my crush to the prom. I kept tormenting myself by putting off asking her because I was so nervous. It's similar to the same kind of nervousness I sometimes feel when I'm driving and I feel that another car is about to collide into mine. The nervousness that feels like it could kill you with a touch. more...
by Qolselanu
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Young Heart
As days drifted endlessly into weeks, weeks into months, months into years, and so on. I couldn't help but reminisce on things I endured a fondness and loss for. Things once here and now no longer. Like my first school boy crush in elementary class. Her name was Alicia, yes, I believe that was her name. We sat together for a whole grade. She had long brown hair that resembled the glossy brown of her writing desk. I sat to the left of her. And in a boyish devious way, full of innocence, I would steal glimpses of her attraction. My eyes would admire the way her shoes would tap-tap-tap when in deep thought on a problem, or just day dreaming, as students are prone of doing. I would watch the way she scribbled with her pencil with her soft pale hands, and letting them rest flaccid afterwards when a sentence or problem was completed. Often she would turn to me and ask to borrow a sheet of writing paper, and in my calf love, I would give her a small stack. Praying in return for some type of affection. But like that writing paper, I was also discarded, along with my hopeless romanticism. more...
by Thomas McDougall
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
I Am Home
Negative feelings ruled my mind in January when I got back to Little Rock from Phoenix. Sometimes even an old familiar thought lurked. "Why stay here?"
I had been trying to get more serious with my guy for months. When one person in a relationship cares more than the other, it's not a good thing. I, however, ignore logic since I am the one who cares more. I won't let go. Hmmm... maybe what's standing in the way of a good relationship is my social anxiety. Most people who don't have it cannot quite understand it even when they try. My guy doesn't have a shy cell in his body and empathy is not his forte. more...
by Monique
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Heads or Tails
I didn't plan to bet all my money on this stupid card game, but I ended up doing it anyways. Now I'm broke with no money left in the bank for rent, or other inane bills. At home, I decided this couldn't concern me now and opened a beer.
As a song played on the radio, I drank my beer, still worried about my situation. I just needed a little luck, a little luck to make things better, to make life better. I would do the same as always now to escape this situation and try to borrow the money. I would make the telephone calls tomorrow.
more...
by Thomas McDougall
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Work and SAD
As a lifelong sufferer of social anxiety, probably the most difficult thing for me has been dealing with people in the work environment. Outside of work, we can choose with whom we wish to associate, but at work we're forced to coexist in close confines for excruciatingly long periods of time with people having nasty or annoying dispositions. It's just not a natural for someone with SAD. Over time, I developed severe chronic insomnia and eventually it became unbearable. more...
by Maslow
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
