Social Anxiety Support

silvergyrl · 11-04-2008, 01:14 PM

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder about 5 months ago and while I've been working on getting more confident and facing my fears in the outside world, there's one part of my life that I can't get a handle on, which is university.

I've been in university for 6 years now and I keep avoiding going to class, doing assignments, and it's getting worse and worse. I should have graduated already but haven't, due to delaying classes that I've had to drop.

Any advice on what to do?

Anyone else out there has major anxiety and social anxiety when it comes to university/school?

Just Lurking · 11-04-2008, 01:33 PM

Welcome to SAS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvergyrl

Anyone else out there has major anxiety and social anxiety when it comes to university/school?

I left college after a little more than a year due to SA.

I would suggest talking with your professors or your university's disability department. It is my understanding most places are fairly flexible when it comes to that sort of stuff. Whatever you do, best of luck with it.

PetSMiLE · 11-04-2008, 02:01 PM

I too have anxiety when it comes to school. I keep having this nagging thought that "I'm not smart enough and I should drop out and save myself time and money". Could the delaying of your schoolwork be related to anxieties about having to go out and get a job? I know I had worries about going out to the "real world" (I guess that's why I'm back in graduate school...).

As for advice, I would say first go see the school counseling service if your school offers one. Ask about possible anxiety/stress related group meetings held on campus. You could also talk to your department adviser about your coursework. My biggest regret in my undergrad years is not using the resources made available to me. There's a lot of people on campus whose job is to help you out, so don't be afraid to seek them out. Good luck!

millenniumman75 · 11-04-2008, 02:28 PM

Welcome, SilverGyrl!

silvergyrl · 11-05-2008, 08:27 AM

I have sought out some of the resources at my school, due to my psychologist pretty much calling them for me (she and the director were old friends).

I feel like it's a cop out and an excuse to tell my professors, and that maybe they'll notice more when I'm not in class which will make it harder to go back to the class.

It's like a circle that I can't get out of. I feel good when I avoid school situations, almost numb really, and then I keep doing it but it's makes more work for me and have more stress and anxiety.

11-04-2008, 01:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
silvergyrl Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 69	School-related SAD Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder about 5 months ago and while I've been working on getting more confident and facing my fears in the outside world, there's one part of my life that I can't get a handle on, which is university. I've been in university for 6 years now and I keep avoiding going to class, doing assignments, and it's getting worse and worse. I should have graduated already but haven't, due to delaying classes that I've had to drop. Any advice on what to do? Anyone else out there has major anxiety and social anxiety when it comes to university/school?

11-04-2008, 02:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
millenniumman75 Status: Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dayton-Cincinnati, OH Gender: Male Age: 34 Posts: 38,015	Welcome, SilverGyrl! __________________ millenniumman75 You are a success story waiting to happen! Live and let live VACUUMS more than a Hoover.... Live and HELP live is better!

11-04-2008, 02:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
PetSMiLE Status: SAS Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: California Gender: Male Posts: 109	I too have anxiety when it comes to school. I keep having this nagging thought that "I'm not smart enough and I should drop out and save myself time and money". Could the delaying of your schoolwork be related to anxieties about having to go out and get a job? I know I had worries about going out to the "real world" (I guess that's why I'm back in graduate school...). As for advice, I would say first go see the school counseling service if your school offers one. Ask about possible anxiety/stress related group meetings held on campus. You could also talk to your department adviser about your coursework. My biggest regret in my undergrad years is not using the resources made available to me. There's a lot of people on campus whose job is to help you out, so don't be afraid to seek them out. Good luck!

11-05-2008, 08:27 AM	#5 (permalink)
silvergyrl Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Gender: Female Age: 24 Posts: 69	I have sought out some of the resources at my school, due to my psychologist pretty much calling them for me (she and the director were old friends). I feel like it's a cop out and an excuse to tell my professors, and that maybe they'll notice more when I'm not in class which will make it harder to go back to the class. It's like a circle that I can't get out of. I feel good when I avoid school situations, almost numb really, and then I keep doing it but it's makes more work for me and have more stress and anxiety.