Social Anxiety Disorder because of PTSD?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2005
Social Anxiety Disorder because of PTSD?
2
Fri, 04-08-2005 - 2:40am

My 20 y/o brother passed away less than a year ago from a long and courageous battle with Lymphoma. I am currently 18 years old (turning 19 on Monday), and I have a twin sister who was clinically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Sleep disorders, and mild depression. I received grief counselling after my brother passed away (I was in the room when he passed on), but felt that I didn't need further medical or therapeutic assistance.

I've since, moved to college and got on with my life. The thing is, I'm having a really hard time relating to girls that live in my dorm...like it's hard for me to open up. I think I've explained it to myself as: losing my brother is kind of like going through the worst breakup ever...and as a result, I'm now too scared to open myself up to new people.

What do you think? I'm considering talking to the school psychologist (or see what my options are) about a social anxiety disorder that occurred as a result of grief and trauma.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 04-08-2005 - 5:53am

Hi & welcome to our community. You are not alone. Anxiety can happen to anyone after traumatic events, illness or losses. You have also made a major life change in going off to college. It wouldn't be that unusual to have difficulty relating to new folks, even if everything else hadn't happened. That is a growing pain many are faced with, when adjusting to a new situation. College has so many stresses. Finding your niche will come. It takes time.


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 04-08-2005 - 11:25pm
Hi and Welcome!!

Blessings, Suz   Posts in this Community