Social anxiety?

Coco18-8 · ‎14-09-2021

Hi, this my first ever thread so idk how this will go but we’ll see I guess. I am a highschool student who has been really shy most of my life, but the past year I’ve just felt a huge weight of anxiety come onto me, especially when it comes to socially interacting. I’m fine to order a meal or talk to my friends. But I have massive amounts of anxiety when I go to work, a place I’ve been at for a year. I get nauseous, “stress” rashes and hot flushes everytime I’m about to leave for it. And I guess that obviously can get exhausting for a while. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily a loner at work but I don’t have a huge group of friends and idk it just makes me anxious for the future , like am I not capable to make more friends? I feel like this kind of sounds stupid but I’ve had anxiety or panic attacks idk which one it is before hand where I loose my breath and I’m in uncontrollable tears and have to calm myself down. But I just feel like I’m in this constant panic and I want to feel relaxed and just want to feel like it’s all going to be ok. Even typing this I’m anxious .

HappyHelper88 · ‎14-09-2021

Hello Coco thankyou for your post and welcome to the forum

anxiety is normal, I have always had work anxiety at a new job for sometime until i felt comfortable and was paranoid that i was doing a bad job and was going to be fired.
However this sounds a bit more serious. Have you seen a doctor about your symptoms?

This does not sound stupid at all lots of people have had similar experiences and i have experienced panic attacks in the past. The way that i helped myself calm down was to have a hot bath or shower, slow down my breathing by breathing into a paper bag, and to ground myself to the present moment.
Also i think you have a lot going on and talking to someone about this would really benefit you

If you want to talk this through with a Beyond Blue counsellor, we’re on 1300 22 4636 or you can reach us on webchat. It can really help to talk things like this through. Please remember to reach out whenever you need to.
Feel free to keep sharing, other members will likely be able to relate to what you’re going through.

Petal22 · ‎14-09-2021

Hi Coco 18 - 8,

Wellcome to our forums!

Sorry you have been feeling this way….

I used to suffer when severe anxiety it was horrible, I also had panic attacks and always felt on edge….. Ive now recovered thanks to professional help…

Have you thought about seeing your gp and discussing how you are feeling and how this affects your life? You could do a mental health plan together this will enable you to see a psychologist…

Im here to chat

Coco18-8 · ‎15-09-2021

Hi thank you for responding. I have not told anyone about this well, my mum knows how I make myself sick but she doesn’t really see it as a serious problem. She always tell me to get over it or just breath but I feel like it’s kinda past that point but she doesn’t see that. I will try and relax today. Thank you for your help.

Sophia16 · ‎15-09-2021

Hi Coco,

I feel for you and I am really sorry about that. I suffer from social anxiety and it is so tough. I get so nervous when going to work every day, even when I am on a phone call. It is super difficult.

What you are going through is completely normal so don't feel like it is stupid. You may have not made as many friends as you wanted to but don't worry. Once you leave high school, a lot will change. You will realise you don't need many friends, you only need a few you can really trust and who actually support you through your tough times.

Going to a psychologist can really help with your panic attacks, they can offer a thing called Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This will help ease it and even get rid of them.

Please stay safe and I am always here to chat 🙂