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Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

humanCasual Contributor04 July 2017, 6:34 pm AEST

Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

My GP wants me to have a look around and read up on some psychologists, and then give them a call and talk to them, to find someone who I think I'd get along with, rather than her recommending someone who may be the wrong fit. Which is pretty good of her, but also social anxiety got me like. I can't call people on the phone?? The only reason I even started seeing this doctor was because I could read her profile and book online, and even that took a ridiculous amount of effort and working myself up and panicking. Depression is the main issue that i'm try to address but it just feels like social anxiety is hindering my ability to properly get treatment, purely because I don't want to talk to a stranger about my inner most thoughts and feelings because. Hello. Stranger. Other human being. I can't even call my grandparents on the phone without freaking out and feeling like my chest is going to explode.

I've also got to go back to my GP with my research so she can write up a mental health care plan for medicare but like. I'm comfortable with her because I've seen her a few times now, but for some reason I'm freaking out about booking an appointment with her even online? I don't even have to call, but I just can't seem to press that "confirm booking" button? And she's going away for a couple weeks so I have to see her by tomorrow or wait until the end of the month (because there's no way I can work myself up to see a completely different doctor, it was hard enough getting to her in the first place).

Why are brains actually like this? I mean, I thought humans were social animals, aren't we supposed to want to talk to others? Without having trouble breathing and dissociating?

Excuse the brain barf

9 replies

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In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

NikNikSenior Contributor06 July 2017, 6:57 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Brain barfs are more than welcome here @human

How did you go booking in with the GP. Did you see them yesterday or waiting until the end of the month?

@utopia and @Kurra shared in this discussion how they found their psychologists - it might be useful!

While 'humans' are social creatures, we have that lovely (note sarcasm) fight or flight mode built into us - which sometimes can go off at the right times (real danger), but can sometimes misfire and cause all types of problems... like the physiological responses connected to anxiety.

I hope that you find the forums helpful and stay connected!

In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Unknown userMember06 July 2017, 7:17 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

HI @human (great name btw)
I have HUGE phone anxiety. I cannot even talk to my best friend or my brother on the phone. Centrelink makes me insane!!
I emailed prospective therapists and they emailed back. So I got to screen them via email.
Talking to a stranger about my problems! BOY do I know this! I guess my perspective is to take it slow, you don't HAVE to trust anyone. But over time you do develop trust with the right people and sometimes it can feel good to get it all out.
Making the booking, it IS hard. Is it possible that you can't make the booking cause you're also stressing about talking about everything and setting up seeing a psychologist?

In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

SpudlySenior Contributor06 July 2017, 7:30 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Hi @ Human don't get overwhelmed small steps. Chunk it as I say. Be kind to yourself.

In response to: Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

NikNikSenior Contributor06 July 2017, 7:33 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Great advice @Former-Member & @Spudly !!

In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

SpudlySenior Contributor06 July 2017, 7:34 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Thankyou

In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

utopiaSenior Contributor06 July 2017, 8:35 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

@human.
I've seen different psychologists for different things. An old psycholigist suggested I see a new one who specialised in a particular treatment for PTSD. So I got on the Internet. Looked up that therapy method and found a psychologist closest to me (3hr return trip, weekly). I then checked how many years she has used this therapy and what her success rate was with her patients. I saw her for about 4 or 5 visits - before we commenced the 'therapy'. That way, we got to know each other. And more importantly, she learnt how much or little to press me on a subject, before it became too much. She worked out to be great & I rarely have panic attacks any more & no more ptsd from my workplace incident.
So, go online, have a look at what area they specialise in. You sound like you need someone who specialises in anxiety and depression.
Once you finally meet your psychologist, you should find that you are more able to relax in their presence and slowly start opening up, at your pace.
I have both my psychologist and my gp that I see for my mental health.

In response to: Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

humanCasual Contributor07 July 2017, 1:32 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

@NikNik Yes I got to booking the GP. I sort of just forced myself haha. Thank you for sharing that discussion! I'll definately have a look! The fight or flight thing definately makes sense, my anxiety always feels like reacting to a danger that's not actually there. Thank you!

@Former-Member I know exactly what you mean! Phone's are the worst, and especially centrelink because there's always that build up while you're on hold for 2 hours. I honestly think I couldn't make the booking because I usually just book my next appointment at reception as I'm leaving my last one, so I don't really have to go out of my way and think about it too much? But that's probably also a factor, you're right! And I think I'll give emailing a go, that's a good idea!

@Spudly Unfortunately the small steps always seem to be the hardest, "chunk it" is probably good advice haha! Thank you!

@utopia That's good to know, thank you for sharing!

In response to: Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Unknown userMember07 July 2017, 1:41 pm AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

That's great that you made the appointment - chalk that up as a win!
I communicate with my therapist and GP via email cause they know how much the phone makes me anxious.
Getting around it is a two pronged effor, working out how to do the things you need to in spite of your anxiety and then treating the anxiety itself. It's just hard when they are effectively the same thing - making a psych appointment.
Let us know how it all goes and,
I know I sound like a preachy, broken record, but give deep breathing/meditation/pmr a try. It really worked for me.

In response to: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Helen777New Contributor05 Aug 2018, 7:48 am AEST

Re: Social Anxiety is Annoying AF

Hi and thanks for sharing ,my 18 yo daughter is exactly the same.i pray that you are both able to get the help you are looking for.i wish i had answers,breaks my heart.

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