How do i find people to socialize with when i have social anxiety

[Medievalphil74]

Hi,

This is the very first time I have ever posted on any type of forum. It seems so overwhelming seeing the different forums and knowing what to say. I have no idea how these work or if I will find any help in any way. I just know that I need to make changes in my life or I'm going to spend the rest of my life isolated and lonely.

I'm 45 I have Bipolar Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive personality disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Generalised Anxiety disorder, PTSD and Atypical Anorexia Nervosa. Ihave had a very isolated life the last 10 years after a breakup from a partner i had a child with and when i wanted 50/50 access she made assertions i wasn't the biological father. I had to have a dna test and it came back i wasn't the father. That was my first serious mental breakdown and i've battled serious mental health issues ever since. I spent the last 2 years in and out of mental health clinics and am really lucky i am ex Navy and i get free mental health. I had intensive trauma psychotherapy last year and got proper diagnosis and treatments for my mental health issues. Now i don't want to be isolated any more but I struggle with anxiety so much that i can't get to the point of actually meeting normal people. I'm really reaching out to see if anyone can give me some advice on how to meet people like me. People that understand how difficult it is to live with such crippling insecurities. I'm craving company, I want friends but I don't know how to go about it. Can anyone provide some advice on groups within Brisbane that I can join. I've tried meetup but there aren't really groups for anxiety that meetup regularly. I want to end my isolation but don't know how. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[Sophie_M]

Hi Medievalphil74, I would like to say a very big and warm welcome to you. We really appreciate you writing your first post, despite how it can be nerve wracking. It takes a lot to share how we feel, so thank you for taking this step tonight. I hope that some members of the forum drop by and offer some words of advice, support and wisdom. It sounds like you have been through an awful lot in your life and on your mental health journey and we are really glad that you managed to get access to therapy, diagnosis and treatment that worked for you. It’s a great idea to look into joining some groups, peer support is a valuable part of recovery. In regards to finding more specific support like support groups in your area, you might like to try calling our support team. We’re available 24/7 by phone on 1300 22 4636 or on Webchat 1pm-12am AEDT on our website: www.beyondblue.org.au/getsupport. One of our professional mental health counsellors at our Support Service will give you support and point you in the right direction for help in your area.   Warmest Regards,

[Katyonthehamsterwheel]

Hello and welcome! It definitely can be challenging to write your first post here, so good on you 🙂

You're around my age, and I also have generalized anxiety and social anxiety. It can get pretty lonely sometimes, I agree. I have been looking into GROW for a while now and recently attended my first meeting. Not sure if you've heard of them, but it's a peer support group for people with mental health issues, or as they told me at the meeting I went to, really anyone that's lonely or looking for some support can come along. Their ethos is to be friendly and welcoming so that people will want to come back, and I found that to be the case. They do weekly meetups which run to a specific format, and also organise catchups (well, this one does at least). They operate all over Australia, so there may be one close to you. Maybe have a Google if it sounds like what you're looking for.

Also, feel free to stick around the forums and chat if you feel like. We're a friendly bunch. Katy

[*Marie*]

Hi and welcome!

I too have Social Anxiety and am not great with socializing.

I find that online streaming with others is a fantastic way to hang out without leaving my comfort zone. There are also options on these sites where you don't have to be on camera to talk, you can have the camera off and just use voice chat, or you can type instead of talking.