If everyone in this forum was sitting in a room together, would you feel nervous?

[Witan]

Originally Posted by Alicia2009

It seems like we all think somewhat alike, our fears are triggered by very similar events and most of us are very shy. Would you feel comfortable sitting in a room together socializing or would you have that anxious feeling arise?

I'd probably feel really anxious beforehand, then fine once I was actually there.

[dreamer222]

Yes, definitely. I have a feeling that even among people with SA, I'd be the quietest person in the room.

[kos]

Depends. If there are people in the room that are my age then yes. If not then no.

[Hoth]

Originally Posted by Alicia2009

our fears are triggered by very similar events

This just isn't true at all. I've been amazed by what a staggering variety of fears/triggers are all lumped under the single label "social anxiety" and by how little we have in common with each other. One person is afraid of walking alone but goes to parties, another person is talkative but fails to form connections, some have serious panic attacks in what might otherwise be called a normal social life while others feel helplessly disabled and have failed to socialize without panic attacks, and and so on. It's not a "severity of SA" thing, it's a totally different set of symptoms/triggers with different severities for each person.

I've been to several social anxiety groups in person. Had trouble feeling like part of the group because their stories are so alien to me -- worse in some ways, better in others. Lots of anticipation anxiety and a sort of mild cautious silence once I got there, as per usual for me.

[letitrock]

Originally Posted by Alicia2009

It seems like we all think somewhat alike, our fears are triggered by very similar events and most of us are very shy. Would you feel comfortable sitting in a room together socializing or would you have that anxious feeling arise?

hell yes, I would be nervous

[VanillaBean]

Yes! Even if we all hit it off and it was going really well, I would still be a nervous wreck. It takes a loooong time for me to know someone so well that I am comfortable around them, no matter how wonderful they are.

[TaniaN]

Very nervous! Especially if there were some sort of activites or we had to all speak up. One on one would be easier, but it would all depend on the other people. Some people I naturally open up around, most I don't.

[Snow Bunny]

I'd be a little nervous yes, but not half as nervous as I would be in a room full of 'normal' people. Since we all share the same problem, I wouldn't be constantly trying to act like I was 'normal' really..
Although I guess you'd think that whenever you spoke, everyone else knows you have SA so they'd be constantly looking out for signs of anxiety, and that would put me off.
Depends on the people. If they had SA and no sense of humour, I'd be a goner.

[DriftAway]

I would be freaking out. You people might be the nicest people in the world, but I just hate being around strangers, I can't help it. All I would do is give a fake smile so you would think I was okay.

[andy1984]

Super shy and super anxious, but my gf is a member here so really I'd be less anxious but still really shy if she was with me.

[Just Lurking]

Quite.

[organicwildroot]

I would be but if we were all wearing brown paper bags over our heads it make it less awkward or more awkward whichever comes first.

[LaRibbon]

Absolutely

[Raptors]

Yea but I can overcompensate and seem normal

[lastofthekews]

Yes, i'd be very anxious, but at the same time would love for this to happen.

[Amocholes]

If everyone in this forum was sitting in a room together, would you feel nervous?

Yes, I don't like crowds. 24,238 members. I think we'd need a stadium.

[somethinginthewind]

Originally Posted by Alicia2009

It seems like we all think somewhat alike, our fears are triggered by very similar events and most of us are very shy. Would you feel comfortable sitting in a room together socializing or would you have that anxious feeling arise?

I'd be terrified to be around so many strangers who know my secret. I think only good things would come out of it though.

[noobleech]

I tend to be one of the more talkative people in a support group, as long as someone is there to prevent judgmental/critical words and black-or-white opinions. Being with strangers is better for me, because then I will worry less about how people will judge me based on my past situations.

On the other hand, however, if we have 25,595 members in a room, I'll be more irritated from the heat and sweat smell, than be anxious from the social event.

[gamecock]

Well I would feel pretty comfortable...Just knowing that everyone in the room is obviously sympathetic and understands my problems and would be less likely to judge me than others. I would feel like I am almost with an extended family just without the sa..I remember going up to Cleavland, Ohio when we had the largest meet up on here and everyone seemed pretty comfortable. We need to have one again!