Is there any ways i can improve my social anxiety disorder??

[GiaNgo]

hi, im 19 years old with social anxiety disorder. I struggle to communicate and make friends, especially since moving to Australia for college. My classmates comes from all different ages and countries make conversations challenging, and I find it hard to maintain small talk, while other people can talk to each other quite well. My only close friend during my 2 years in Australia is my classmate, my age, and it's easier to talk with her. But over time, I feel like we are becoming disconnected and not as close anymore, because she's making more friends in class and i felt being left out because i cannot make any friends even tho i tried. Imagine its been 2 years with the same classmates and i didn't talk to anyone but her. I'm feeling overwhelmed and whenever i go to class i just want to run home because i was about to cry... it feels like I'm so weird or I'm invisible...

(Sorry my English is not that good).

[indigo22]

Hi,

Welcome and thank you for reaching out to us.

Firstly, your English is perfectly good so no need for apologies.

It is very hard to feel like you fit in when you have a mental health issue that can hold you back. I had the same problem when I was young, in my case it is depression and I had a lot of trouble making friends too.

There is nothing wrong with you, it is just that the others in your classroom don't have the life experience to understand how difficult it is to make friends while dealing with social anxiety. If they have never experienced a mental health issue, they have nothing to compare to in order to understand how hard you try to fit in.

Do you have any support from anyone? A counsellor at school perhaps? It is important to talk with someone about how you are feeling. For this reason, I am including a helpline number that you can call to speak to a counsellor in real time. They are very experienced and will be able to give you advice on ways to manage your mental health.

Kids Helpline - up to 25 years of age - available 24/7 - 1800 55 1800

You can also talk us here anytime, there will just be a delay in response.

You are not weird or invisible, you are just struggling at the moment and I am so proud of you for having the courage to let us know what you are going through so we can help.

Treat yourself with kindness and take good care of yourself, you are worth it and you matter.

indigo