social phobia and ocd

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2003
social phobia and ocd
4
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 10:47am
Hi everyone! Lately I've been thinking real hard about overcoming some of my fears. I don't know if any of you have or have had social phobia, but I've had it for quiet some time. I am 24, married, with 2 little girls, and have no friends. My DH has friends that I can hang out with, but none that are my own, or that *I* talk to. I guess I have pretty low self-esteem and feel like once people get to know me they won't like the "real" me, and will leave. I also have some trouble with how to establish a friendship (maybe boundary issues) after I've made an aquaintance. It's like I freeze up after that point and worry about whether they'll think I'm weird and crazy, and what if I say the wrong thing. Maybe that's my OCD wrapped up in this...I don't know. All I do know is I am really lonely. My DH works all day and I work at night, trying to sleep and watch my girls during the day. I feel like a social outcast, and I don't want to. I miss the close friendships I had in HS, I miss having peers to bounce ideas off of, and help figure life out.
Anyway, just wondering what you all think...You're always so insightful.
THanks :)
Christina

~Christina~

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 11:31am

Hi, Christina. You are very welcome here. I hope that by reading back posts & entering in our discussions you will find some comfort in knowing you are NOT alone. Fears/phobias & all anxiety disorders are pretty much treated the same. Research indicates that a combination of meds & therapy is the most successful. There are alternatives. Some folks use hypnosis, meditation, desensitization therapy, etc. to work on the problems they face. We will support you in whatever avenue you choose.


I am sorry for your loneliness. That must be very hard to feel friendless & isolated. There are some social

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 6:25pm

don't laugh, is there a panic/phobia type
support group in your area?

having a child with special needs, when i see
another mom in my situation, it is an instant bond.
very east to make friends when there is common ground.
and if you decide not to talk, you don't have to.

just a thought.

kris

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Sat, 01-21-2006 - 11:35pm
Thanks for adding the support group option, Kris. I always forget about it because we don't have any for anxiety disorders here. Sure wish we did. Sigh... Then there's the issue of child care. I don't have to worry about that much anymore. Do some of these support groups have a nursery for the members? That would be ideal. (((hugs))) jan


 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Sun, 01-22-2006 - 11:03am

There aren't any support groups here where I live either.

Sheri Ann