Social Anxiety Disorder and Depression

Hello. I suffer from an anxiety disorder known as "Social Anxiety Disorder". As you probably have guessed, it means i have alot of anxiety over social situations. This tends to make school excedingly difficult. I've found it easier to just fade into the background and keep people from having an opinion of me, rather than have negative one. Although it does leave me a little lonely. Recently I've tried to get out a little more and slowly escape my comfort zone. It seemed like it wouldnt be too much work, but after years of being "the quiet one", the sudden change has made things worse and has caused me to add depression to my list of mental misadventures. I briefly considering therapy, but considering my outlook on being the center of attention it probably is'nt the best option. I'm hoping a few reassuring words could help.

Also, I've noticed a few troubling symptoms. I constantly feel like people are watching me and listening to my thoughts. I realize how unrational that sounds, but i just cant shake the feeling. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what this might be.

Just wondering how you are doing n hoping you do come back for support
lyn

Lyn, I just wanted to thank you for being such a warm & caring host-here on the forum. You mentioned in your post that you have not been socializing< as much> because of your hearing loss; I was wondering, are you going to a support group in your area--to help you cope with all the adjustments & ramifications that you are dealing with? Anyway, I hope you don't mind me asking... You <too> deserve all the love & support that you give us here in cyber-space. take care...

I know exactly how you feel with the paranoia (thinking people can hear your thoughts and are watching you. I went through that too. I would actually make my husband get out of bed at night and look out the window to make sure there was no one there watching me. I also had hallucinations of people sitting around me, talking. Not talking to me, but to each other. That was scary. That goes along with the depression and I think you should explore medication to help. I actually went to a mental health facility for inpatient treatment when I was experiencing my extreme depression and paranoia. They prescribed me an antidepressant, and an anti-psychotic (which made the paranoia fade away).

If you talk to a counselor, I don't think it would be too bad on your anxiety, because it's one on one treatment. Usually counselors have their offices set up to be soothing and noninvasive, and they are used to talking to people with these types of problems.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide to do!

YES my friend i am totally deaf
my family especially children use to say i had that ...frigged up mother hearing...could hear all
iv antibiotics for the pyoderma gangrenosum ...vancomycin..is the blame
i hv lawsuit going but that will never get my hearing back
so its just to let others know long term usage can lead to thii hv requested to speak at Ontario Legislation about certain antibiotics and over use by docs...waiting on answer

it truly has been holding me hostage but yesterday i went out not saying i wasnt scared as i was n walked enjoying nature seeing sights just getting out
i felt free of demons for that lil time but they are back
i think i hv to make self at least go out once a day if only for a bit

this has caused alot of pain n anguish with teen daughter as i cannot hear her n we always talked about everything she has become depressed n rightly so

those that r close n drop by like lil bro n cait use word thingy on here to converse as i do read lips but not well
have been waiting for the class on sign for 3 mths now

i so much apprecite your kindness to me n your concern thank you
as well you are truly an asset imho to the forum
respecfully n with luv n huggs
lyn

i have 4 different parrots in home n i sure miss what they say lol one is pretty smartarse when he wants to be

That is very true Stan
i am living proof
you need to get on here n be with ppl that do care
huggs
lyn