social phobia/extremely introverted

[MargaretAnneHK]

These posts sound like ME. I have always been shy and have social anxiety. Over the years I have been able to bring myself to socialize but it is always painfully awkward. I like typing a whole lot better...

 

[Please]

I'm the exact same way as you. Bi-polar and social anxiety. I find my animals as an escape from people.

 

[Souperchicken]

I've been checking this thread all week and found some time this morning to write.
I also don't like loud noises and certain background noises, I am easily distracted during conversations if there are background noises. If people are talking, radio, tv or children playing nearby I can have a hard time focusing or "hearing" what is being said.
Sometimes when I don't hear what someone has said and I just nod like I heard them but feel self conscience since Im not sure if it is an appropriate response since. I would rather do that than admit I didn't hear them when they were directly speaking to me.
I am curious about bi-polar? I know it is the extremes of happy and depressed. What are some examples if this?

Chookety- Chukars are a partridge bird and used for hunting around here.

 

[chooketychook]

Oh wow, that sounds frustrating. Good luck with tomorrow!
I don't think your being unable to handle chitchat is selfish though; maybe it would be selfish if you found everything she said about herself boring, but it doesn't sound like that's the case. You just can't deal with less focused conversation too well, which really isn't your fault.
I may be biased though, seeing as I have much the same problem.

Hehe,To be honest I find it much easier to be around people who always talk about themselves,because nodding,smiling and shaking my head are the best forms of communication I have lol,my sister in law talks so much you literally would have to scream at the top of your voice to get a word in,funny enough I dont mind her company (for short periods) luckily because she is so hyper ready to go she rips through the house like a tornado and before you know shes gone lol

 

[chooketychook]

i also suffer from social anxiety.  i've been shy my whole life.  my mom has told me that my reticence as a child actually embarrassed her!  add to that life long depression and teenaged onset PTSD...
i've largely become reclusive, interacting mostly with my live-in BF.  he's an extrovert, so i get a little practice being social.  it's difficult, and i'm afraid i come across as rude or even weird to other people.  i'd much rather stay in over going out, but i try to push myself to get out and interact a little bit.  i have a few friends, none of whom live in my town.  a couple of them will come and take me out for lunch or something, and it's good practice for me.  
being out in public itself is hard for me because of my hypervigilance (loud noises make me jump, i'm always having to be aware of any people around me).
it's certainly not an easy way to live, but i cope as well as i can.

Hi hilaree,thanks for sharing,its certainly not easy,have you been like this for as long as you remember? Was there any reason for your shyness as a child that may have dragged on to adulthood?
Depression sucks! Im just comming out of one now was really low about 4 weeks ago thought it was going to last forever again luckily this time it only lasted a few weeks and im kinda feeling myself (whatever that is) again but ive had bad anxiety lately.
Im not sure what PTSD is would you mind sharing?
Hope your well and pop in for a chat when you have time hun x

 

[chooketychook]

These posts sound like ME. I have always been shy and have social anxiety. Over the years I have been able to bring myself to socialize but it is always painfully awkward. I like typing a whole lot better...

Hi margaret,thanks for popping in,its nice to know im not alone and theres people out there who understand,its great you have been able to interact with people more as you have got older,I hope one day I can say the same thing at the moment im at peak introversy,hope you can share your story from where you was to where you are now it would be lovely to hear x

 

[chooketychook]

I'm the exact same way as you. Bi-polar and social anxiety.  I find my animals as an escape from people. 

Hi please,
Thanks for sharing,Bi-polar is awful I was diagnosed 2-3years ago now,ive had many highs and many lows currently on over 3000mg worth of mood stablizers,been admitted to hospital once 2 years ago when my depression got to the point I was crying even when I was laughing,smiling,talking ect...
Bipolar contributes to my social anxiety because of the mood/personality changes its hard for people to understand why one minute you are full of storys and jokes to tell and new adventures or plans then the next minute your avoiding them like the plague,so for me I find it easier to just keep away from people full stop,but at the same time I am introvertes so I am happiest when im comfortable in my own home with my own thoughts relaxing,reading, typing at my own pace,its weird I can talk all night online where as in real life a hours chitchat will leave me exhausted,
Would you mind sharing your story when you got diagnosed,how have you coped,good time,badtimes ect would be lovely to hear only if you dont mind sharing I know this is a sensitive subject x

 

[chooketychook]

I've been checking this thread all week and found some time this morning to write.
I also don't like loud noises and certain background noises, I am easily distracted during conversations if there are background noises. If people are talking, radio, tv or children playing nearby I can have a hard time focusing or "hearing" what is being said.
Sometimes when I don't hear what someone has said and I just nod like I heard them but feel self conscience since Im not sure if it is an appropriate response since. I would rather do that than admit I didn't hear them when they were directly speaking to me.
I am curious about bi-polar? I know it is the extremes of happy and depressed. What are some examples if this?

Chookety- Chukars are a partridge bird and used for hunting around here.

Hi souperchicken glad your back!
I understand about the difficulty with sensory processing it adds to anxiety,I always avoid places like the markets or the city centre where there are crowds,people sneezing,laughing,coughing make me jump and I find it difficult to calm after ive jumped.
Ill give you a personal example of bipolar episodes from over the years some leading to diagnosis,some things make me cringe with embarressment so bare with me.
First the real me is just a quiet shy girl,3 kids a loving husband a little house in a urban area,had a good up bringing,ok finacially,,little car, I wear jeans,jumpers,shirts (its relevent)so basically a normal family.

Hypermanic me-Get in debt to fund a luxury holiday to barbados I cant afford,wear mini skirts,act like a business women,too confident,make plans for businesses that are near impossible stay up a whole week no sleep making the plans,loose weight,get hair and nails done,act like a rich celeb.

THEN THE CRASH

Depressed-in debt,scared to come out the house,stay in bed all day,dont get dresses for days,un motivated to wash,curtains closed,suicidel obsessive thoughts,mind racing,flashing lights in eyes when trying to sleep,paranoia,social withdrawel,have to find a way to escape all the friends ive made whilst manic.

Hypermanic-Book holiday to spain,get in debt,wear nice cloths,business idea same as above.

CRASH-depression as above

Hypermanic-Redecorate the whole house,re do the garden,start dressing in punk rock clothing (identity change) get loads of piercings,buy loads of new pets =\,believe im single go clubbing,drinking,wear miniskirts,flirt ect

CRASH-loads of holes in body from piercings I dont like wrist,neck,ears,tummy,face,a whole wardrobe of punk rocker clothes I will never wear again,in debt and depressed as above,a very dissapointed husband who I literally have looked straight through and not aknowledged for weeks and alot of explaining to do about things I cant remember doing!

And then it all starts again...

 

[Kaitie09]

I've been checking this thread all week and found some time this morning to write.
I also don't like loud noises and certain background noises, I am easily distracted during conversations if there are background noises. If people are talking, radio, tv or children playing nearby I can have a hard time focusing or "hearing" what is being said.
Sometimes when I don't hear what someone has said and I just nod like I heard them but feel self conscience since Im not sure if it is an appropriate response since. I would rather do that than admit I didn't hear them when they were directly speaking to me.
I am curious about bi-polar? I know it is the extremes of happy and depressed. What are some examples if this?

Chookety- Chukars are a partridge bird and used for hunting around here.

I get extremely distracted during multiple conversations. For some reason, my brain tries to listen to them all at once. I end up looking like a zombie in the corner because I am focused on everyone and no one at the same time. I will say that I learn a lot about people just by some conversations I overhear.

 

[chooketychook]

Sorry I havent been on a while,had loads of visitors last week got abit overwhelming and ive been feeling quite down and anxious the past couple of days,
Hopefully will get a few days to recover now,this social phobia is not a joke,it really effects me.
I hope you are all well and enjoying the holidays xx