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Uncomfortable around people sometimes


20 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I feel this way often, sometimes if its a bad day, and the phone rings I jump (it scares me, because after I hang up I thnk about how stupid I must have appeared to whomever I was talking to. And if Im not quiet on the other end, then I am speaking in a way where Im stepping over myself). Its not just friends (which Ive seem to have eliminated a lot of those from my life) its family too. I am beginning to hate the telephone!! Most of the times it depends on the day itself, with how much I can do. But I completely understand that akward silence... and the uncomfortable factor that I feel with it. I feel I've pushed a lot of people away because of this, too many and some that were very close and that are very dear to my heart. And I keep thinking that if I just get "normal" again, that I can have them back in my life. But sometimes, when I look at the whole picture, I doubt that its ever going to happen as much as I want it to.
20 years ago 0 10 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
It's so good to know I'm not alone in my fears, even if I am in the UK! I have really identified with so much of what is written on this site. Although I appear to be functioning ok - I have a job, a few friends - I have a real problem when it comes to making new relationships. I think the bottom line is that I really prefer to be on my own most of the time. As soon as I start to get close to someone the panic begins. I feel like I am losing my life. I can't sleep as the panics happen mostly ay night and start with an awful sickly feeling, then the racing heartbeat etc etc. This, of course, makes spending the night anywhere from home very very difficult. Consequently I am still living on my own at the age of 36. Does anyone have any advice on this?
20 years ago 0 17 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
redface/cashew thx for the input. it's nice to know that i'm not alone on this. for myself, i feel very intimidated by others, and this is probably because of my low self esteem. and part of the fear i think is me thinking that the other person will find out that something's not right or that i'm uncomfortable around them. i think volunteering is definitely a good thing. it helps you get out there and be around people - and you can choose where you go and see if a situation suits you or not. that's the nice thing about volunteering. you can leave anytime you want and there's no repercussions.
20 years ago 0 274 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Dear Cashew83; I sometimes feel like you too...I believe that this is classifed as social phobia. Or maybe we are just wired to be less social than others. The problem with this program and social phobia are that it is sometimes difficult to be around the same people that make us phobic for long enough periods of time to get over it. Or the other people that make us afraid may not want to spend time with us. So it makes it more difficult to deal with in a face your fears kind of way. I too have a hard time maintaining a job for money, but I do try to do some volunteer work. My husband is able to provide a modest living for the two of us. Some people like us are good at looking after children, if they are young, they can be less threatening. Have you taken any personality tests to see what you would be good at doing?
20 years ago 0 4 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I also have problems around people. It seems like when i'm around a crowd of people, like in a store i have a panic attack. when with friends or my boyfriend i hardly talk at all. My fear of people is on of the main reasons why I don't have a job. If anybody has any advice for me I would really apreciate it if you would write me. my e-mail address is cashew832000@yahoo.com Rebecca
20 years ago 0 274 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I hear you. I feel the way you do. Often I feel I just don't fit in with others, and perhaps it is my personality type and thinking. I know from taking personality tests that I am in a group of 2% of the population. So I have come to accept that , even though it hurts at times. I think many artists also have this problem of being around other people. I saw an artist in a magazine article once with a T-shirt that said, "I hate people". Well I don't hate people but it made me laugh. He just feels like an outsider. For me personally, my nerves became so bad I was turning red around people most of my life, and had to suffer the rebuffs of others for that crime. So I became more and more introverted and sometimes I am glad to spend time without people...and then sometimes I get real lonely and need them again. The Panic Program is helpful in dealing with your fears; however the other people involved in you dealing with your panic around them may not be able to cope if you change your style around them and try to talk to them more. They may think you are in love with them or something when you are not. That is the problem I have had, hence I called myself redface...I hope you can face your fears regardless of them; follow the program and maybe it will work for you. It did help me but I'm still not cured.
20 years ago 0 17 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
hello. i've noticed that sometimes i have a really hard time talking to people. it really depends on the mood that i'm in. like for example, today i haven't been feeling too well at all. so i took a nap and tried calling up a friend to ask him something. and i just felt really weird, ya know? there were these long uncomfortable silences, and this is one of my best friends! it happens all the time too with others. somehow i need to overcome this problem when i'm feeling down. because when i feel good, everything's fine... thanks for the ears. kevin

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