http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/ Join our social anxiety forum to ask questions, share your advice, make friends, or just vent. en Mon, 20 May 2013 17:27:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/images/styles/SAS/misc/rss.jpg http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/is-it-arrogant-of-me-to-refer-to-people-as-429193/ Mon, 20 May 2013 17:26:18 GMT I'm an individual, I'm am me, I am rapidfox1.

Most people in my opinion are sheep. Baaaaaaaaaaaaah!!! They are sheep infected with corporate things like corporate values and corporate clothes.

There the same; these sheep are similar to one another. They think the same thoughts, they say the same things, they look the same.

One even call these sheep-like people, sheeple. Baaaaaaah!!! The football game! Baaaahhh! Harlem style! Bahhhh!!!

These sheep are so dumb at times. They are unaware of unfettered capitalism.

But now I worry that it may not be right to refer to people as sheep, even if it is true. I'm in high school where most teenagers are sheep. They are hostile and indifferent to individuals like me; including the staff who act like children. The fact that I'm very isolated and most of my time in high school, a meadow of sheeple, has led me to believe that most people are sheep. The world is a big place, people are different; even if they are social. ]]> Coping With Social Anxiety rapidfox1 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/is-it-arrogant-of-me-to-refer-to-people-as-429193/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hi-429177/ Mon, 20 May 2013 17:17:56 GMT Hello. Hello. ]]> The First Step snake83 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hi-429177/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f12/western-ma-support-group-429113/ Mon, 20 May 2013 16:51:35 GMT Hello everyone,
I'm new here, and, as my name suggests, have a history of social phobia. I feel very fortunate to have long since been reformed. I am now a mental health professional/psychotherapist in the Springfield area. I stumbled upon some old threads that people were looking for a Western MA support group last year, and joined the SAS to offer to arrange a trial (depending on interest and coordination logistics with library, etc). It would be coordinated out of the Northampton, MA public library, and free. I thought I would first put the idea out there to gage interest.
Be well,
Anthony S. ]]> Support Groups Formerphobic http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f12/western-ma-support-group-429113/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/punished-for-doing-the-right-thing-429097/ Mon, 20 May 2013 16:49:46 GMT As someone who has anxiety, speaking up to my parents about a relative trying to force me to kiss him, was nerve wracking. But I thought, if I... As someone who has anxiety, speaking up to my parents about a relative trying to force me to kiss him, was nerve wracking. But I thought, if I didn't say anything, some other woman in my family could be hurt the same way I was.

Now I hear there are people who don't believe me in the family.

I can understand denial of the event, especially in my conservative family. An issue like this is provocative. But it doesn't make the disbelief in me hurt any less.

What's worse is that, because information is going around like a giant game of Telephone, no one really knows what's going on. I hear this relative admitted what he did to me was an accident, but has kept quiet to everyone else. I don't know what's going on. It just feels like, this situation got better, not worse once I said something.

I can't help but think, its another instance of me doing something for my happiness and having it blow up in my face. ]]> Frustration SublimeChange http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/punished-for-doing-the-right-thing-429097/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/sad-and-alone-429089/ Mon, 20 May 2013 16:48:02 GMT Lately I've started to realize how pathetic my life has become. I'm a stay at home mother. My hubby is great, hes my best friend but he's literally the only social interaction aside from my daughter I have most days. My best friend lives in another state and it's been over a year since I saw her last. Aside from shopping and going to the park or movies with my daughter I don't see the light of day.
When I got pregnant it was like all of a sudden I had the plague. People I thought were friends dropped me little by little until I was all alone. These were people I went out with all the time. I became a mother and aside from being more responsible I'm still the same person.
My hubby has a job so hes out all the time. He gets invited out and what upsets me is he never thinks to invite me with him. Now don't get me wrong if he's having a boys night out I don't expect to go but it would be nice if he invited me out to other events. I've spoken to him about it i just don't think he gets it.
I'm desperate to have a conversation with someone other then my 2 yr old daughter. I'm not one of those take charge and go out and find friends type of person. I'm actually quite shy so that makes it even harder for me. I find myself wanting to sleep all day just to get through the day. I know I'm spiraling in a downward motion. my loneliness is starting to eat away at me psychically and mentally.
All in all I just want advice on what I can do. I feel like I have no one to talk to. I feel like no one understands or my just feel like I'm being dramatic.
Thank you to anyone who reads this I know it's a sob story and thanks and for any advice I may receive. I honestly really do appreciate it. ]]> Frustration aen2011 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/sad-and-alone-429089/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hi-429081/ Mon, 20 May 2013 16:28:58 GMT Hello everyone, I am new here. Trying to find my way while dealing with all that S.A. brings into my life. Hoping this will be a good outlet... Hello everyone,

I am new here. Trying to find my way while dealing with all that S.A. brings into my life.

Hoping this will be a good outlet for me to express my frustrations and triumphs along the way.

Brittany ]]> The First Step Bsant28 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hi-429081/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/social-anxiety-and-horse-riding-lessons-429065/ Mon, 20 May 2013 16:08:59 GMT I volunteer at a horse farm that does theraputic riding for the mentally/physically challenged. In return for work a can get a discounted rate on... I volunteer at a horse farm that does theraputic riding for the mentally/physically challenged. In return for work a can get a discounted rate on weekly riding lessons every Tuesday. The lessons are causing bad anxiety. The woman who teaches is very experienced and intimidating. She does not give much feedback during the lesson just instruction of what to do next. She did say my body was very tense while on the horse. It is not so much the horse, but the social anxiety. Taking a lesson is like performance in a way. I keep hoping that they will see that I am doing a little better. Anyone ever suffer serious anxiety during lessons of any sort with someone watching. Anything that helps?? Thank you:roll ]]> Coping With Social Anxiety Limekayak http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/social-anxiety-and-horse-riding-lessons-429065/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/19-never-had-a-girlfriend-429057/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:50:25 GMT Hi everyone. This is first time i've ever registered on an internet forum. I need your advice please.

I'm 19, i've never had a girlfriend, never kissed a girl.

I'm quite handsome, have a good sense of fashion, always look after myself. Not an athlet, but not unfit/weak either.

I don't play any sports as of now. But i played soccer for years before.

I'm emotionally intelligent, i read a lot too. My grades aren't as good because i can't force myself to tackle the school programm as i consider it useless.

I'm a bit awkward when it comes to socialising with people i don't know. I don't go to clubs or parties even when invited. I don't drink or smoke. Yet i will never turn down a trip to the movies with friends.

I guess i'm picky when it comes to girls. The ones in the area where i live are stupid, have bad manners and low moral values.

I'm very picky when it comes to appearance as well.

I don't have a car license yet too, so i'm always thinking about it being a big obstacle when it comes to finding a girlfriend.

Well, i'm not sure what to do, i don't talk to any girls, i don't message to them on facebook since it's considered creepy by everyone.

I have no idea of how i'll ever be able to find a girlfriend.

People please give some advice.

Thx! ]]> Coping With Social Anxiety I need an advice http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f26/19-never-had-a-girlfriend-429057/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/my-friends-dont-invite-me-to-go-places-anymore-429041/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:47:40 GMT My friends I've been having my whole life go out all the time & do things like going to festivals, go cart racing, dinner etc but they never invite me, we still see each other all the time and small things but I feel like prior years me alienating them has come back to haunt me. I feel like we aren't as close as we once were & honestly I feel like I can't be myself around them anymore. ]]> Frustration Victor89 http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/my-friends-dont-invite-me-to-go-places-anymore-429041/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hoping-this-site-will-help-me-429033/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:41:27 GMT I never thought I would join something like this but I came across it the other day and thought maybe it would be a good idea to talk with people who... I never thought I would join something like this but I came across it the other day and thought maybe it would be a good idea to talk with people who will actually understand. I haven't told my friends much but when I have they just don't see these things as a big deal and my family just think I overreact to things. I have dealt with anxiety my entire life but it got worse once my parents split up when I was 9 and that started my depression too. I went through a lot of crap throughout school and halfway through highschool I changed schools thinking it would be better for me. It only got worse, I lost all but just a couple of friends from my old school and hardly made any new ones at my new school. People just didn't bother with me because I guess everyone already had their friends but I saw them welcome other new people, just never me. I only just got through year 10 but on my third day of year 11 I told my mum I felt sick because I didn't want to go to school and so she took me to the doctor to see what was going on. That was when I was diagnosed with the anxiety and depression and I had to go see a psychologist but he was useless. It's been 2 years and things are still pretty bad, I started uni this year which was really not a good experience for me. I know I'm young and everything and I have a lot of time to get through it all but I just can't see things getting better. I have stages where I think things are going okay but that's because I push everything that upsets me aside then eventually I've pushed too much aside and it all comes crashing down. I have had plenty of emotional breakdowns, nobody knows about them because I hide things really well. I can never find somebody who seems to care enough to listen to everything I go through. I don't know whether they just don't know what to say or they just genuinely don't care enough. I have suicidal thoughts all the time but I know I could never do that to my family. I know it would rip them apart and it would be too selfish of me. The only thing that really gets me through is music and at the moment I have a couple of concerts of my favourite artists to look forward to so they are keeping me a little bit happy. A lot of people just don't understand how much I have gone through in my life, I'm only 18 and have been dealing with a whole lot of stuff for so long. I just think I'm gonna get to a point where I really can't do it anymore and there won't be anything to stop me from doing something I would regret. I can't even deal with small things. I know I need help but I'm worried it won't work again like last time. That's probably why I'm here. I just hope I can get something out of this. ]]> The First Step sighh http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/hoping-this-site-will-help-me-429033/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/a-place-for-parents-of-sad-adults-429025/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:21:18 GMT I have an adult daughter with social anxiety. Always looking for ways to help out. . . And she's always telling me to back off! Are there any other parents here? ]]> The First Step Pianolady http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f25/a-place-for-parents-of-sad-adults-429025/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/subjective-well-being-429017/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:16:55 GMT I've been reading a lot of studies on subjective well-being and factors effecting it which have been kind of depressing. Something that is often a focal point of a lot of these studies are the relation between income and happiness which conclusively a lot of the studies i've read have found that assuming all of your basic needs are being met (ie studies clearly being done in developed countries) Happiness levels for the most part only increase in relation to what others in your area are making. These empirical findings thus confirm that subjective well-being must be to some extent comparable between individuals; for example if you have a balling ride, but then your neighbor/friend/family member gets a better ride the satisfaction received from the purchase becomes significantly decreased.
* Satisfaction rises with own income, holding others’ income constant.
* Job satisfaction falls with others’ income, holding own income constant.
* Income rises for everyone may not much affect satisfaction.

Then as an alternative they did studies on the below
* Social activities (marriage, the family, and social capital in general)
* Spiritual activities (religion and meaning in life)
* The quality of working life
* Social and Political values (freedom and democracy)
* Health
as alternative possibilities of increases ones overall well-being which pretty much in a nut shell came to similar findings; To receive satisfaction they need to be compared relation-ally to those around them to have a positive/negative impact (ie if your healthier then those around you, you feel better about yourself, if everyone around you is around where your at you tend to stay neutral but if those around you are in better shape, regardless of how amazing shape your in you still feel worse off)
This pretty much sums up alot of what i posted but i can post more if anyones interested (http://ftp.iza.org/dp5966.pdf)

Kind of depressing considering plenty of us here are trying to increase personal satisfaction independently of others because we don't have the means to create relationships when one of the biggest factors effecting personal satisfaction is where we are (in any area) in relation to those around us.:(
Anyone have any empirical findings they would like to share disputing these studies? ]]> Frustration Kiba http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f35/subjective-well-being-429017/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f18/idea-for-a-small-project-need-help-final-presentation-429009/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:11:37 GMT Hello guys, I need some ideas! My teacher just gave me the topic for the final exam presentation. She says that we need to come up with an idea for a... Hello guys, I need some ideas! My teacher just gave me the topic for the final exam presentation. She says that we need to come up with an idea for a small project (at individual level) that will be somehow contributing towards the overall good for the country!! I need ideas for this please! Help anyone! Just getting no ideas at all! ]]> Students Zeerak http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f18/idea-for-a-small-project-need-help-final-presentation-429009/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f24/question-for-fellow-brits-is-the-north-of-england-better-429001/ Mon, 20 May 2013 15:08:36 GMT I am just curious, as I visited the North this weekend (Manchester) and it is a really nice place. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming,... I am just curious, as I visited the North this weekend (Manchester) and it is a really nice place. The people are incredibly friendly and welcoming, which cannot always be said for down South, where I live.

Anyway. Your opinions? ]]> General Discussion Argaryn http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f24/question-for-fellow-brits-is-the-north-of-england-better-429001/ http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f14/xbox-msp-psn-credits-question-428993/ Mon, 20 May 2013 14:59:28 GMT So a friend wants to send me an Xbox/PSN card for my birthday. However conventional mail is out. She told me she texted a code of a card she bought... So a friend wants to send me an Xbox/PSN card for my birthday. However conventional mail is out. She told me she texted a code of a card she bought to another friend but it messed with his account or something.

Is there a risk to texting an unused code for another person to use across the country? ]]> Geek Central TrueAstralKnight http://www.socialanxietysupport.com/forum/f14/xbox-msp-psn-credits-question-428993/