Making new friendships with social anxiety

EllenG — Sat, 22 Apr 2017 12:23:56 GMT

Hello everyone 🙂

I'm currently doing a full time post graduate course and working part-time.

I have always had social anxiety, plus I don't drink, which makes it difficult to make stronger friendships when all my acquaintances are going partying and drinking to socialise. I have a few of these friends who I make small talk with online, but I don't know anyone (other than my boyfriend) who I would feel comfortable going out with. My interests are in outdoor activities, watching movies and nature/animals. I feel too nervous about going to a meet-up or club where I don't know anyone.

Thanks for reading my post! 🙂

Making new friendships with social anxiety

Starwolf — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 00:59:11 GMT

Welcome to he forums, EllenG.

Your hands are full at the moment so being able to chill out with friends would be desirable. I'm with you, social isolation makes it difficult.

The problem is that there is no building friendship without putting ourselves out there and mingling with people. Shunning contact only serves to reinforce self-effacing tendencies and confirm the false belief that we are unlovable. Getting off this vicious circle doesn't come easy...

I don't drink either but meet people who share common interests. Going out for lunch or a coffee is another option. I have found volunteering to be a great way to meet caring, compassionate people. If you are so inclined, contacting your local Community or Neighbourhood Centre could help point you in the right direction.

There are coping strategies to help with anxiety. Have you checked mindfulness, relaxed breathing, relaxed body scan ? Smiling Mind is a helpful app. So are Buddhify and Headspace. It is hard, persistent work but the mind can be trained (why aren't we told this in western cultures ???).

Meanwhile, navigating these forums allows you to connect and interact online with lots of people who understand what anxiety is all about. There is even a Social Zone with its own virtual Cafe where members can kick back and relax.

Good to have you on board.

topic Making new friendships with social anxiety in Anxiety

Making new friendships with social anxiety

Making new friendships with social anxiety