irony..

[Bouffon]

It's funny how we all communicate here without much hesitance while the content of some of these messages is about how we struggle to communicate with other people in the outside world. Sometimes I wonder if losing all means of electronic communication for weeks/months would force us to communicate with others face to face and and liberate us from our virtual shells.
Has anyone tried this?
For the older guys with SA, has technology had a direct impact on your SA and can you identify any changes that might have occurred as a result of escaping to to the virtual world?

[Syrena]

Originally Posted by Bouffon

Sometimes I wonder if losing all means of electronic communication for weeks/months would force us to communicate with others face to face and and liberate us from our virtual shells.
Has anyone tried this?

Uh, well, before I had the internet, cell phones weren't really wide spread. I spent most of my free time watching tv and playing video games and reading and avoiding human contact. I would probably go back to being like that. I highly doubt it would force me to get out and socialize.

I also credit the internet as the only reason I have ever had relationships. Without it, I would have a far sadder life.

[odd_one_out]

Before I joined, I had been living mostly as a hermit for 2 years already. I still am, but in my thirties, largely due to practising online, my confidence and interaction skills have improved.

[Prakas]

Technology is evil, but addictive and will only get worse. Its like a drug.

I can't live without a pc and internet anymore. It's my safe haven and I can hide in the virtual world. I can understand having a cell phone for just emergencies, but nowadays its rediculous. These blueberries and crap they are coming out. I walk around college and everyone is too intergrated with their cellphones and are in another world. Oh yeah, shoppers on their cell phone constantly, and can't put down their cell phone down for a minute at the register. No respect at all.

I think we would be better off without all this crap honestly. I always think about moving to another country where it doesn't occupy life 24/7.

[Indigo Flow]

My pc f**ks up quite alot and so does my internet, and i think it makes me worse lol i usually end up talking less when i have no internet :/

[ostorozhno]

The most effective method to make people go out would be if the government (like Japan's government) forced all the shut-ins to take courses and get a job.

[glarmph]

I was worse off before; at least this way I have found others like me.

[its_a_rick]

I have no clue, never been in a situation without internet for over a week. The internet is pretty much the only place where I really 'communicate' with people.

[Lumiere]

Before the internet I was just as much of a loner/hermit, I just read more books and watched more films.
One thing I did used to do which I haven;t done much of since my internet use became habitual was going for long walks. I used to go for extremely long walks and I've been wondering recently why I would do this (seeing as I don't really feel the need to these days), and I think that it was a way of coping with the loneliness and mainly the frustration I must have been feeling at not doing anything. I would just walk to the next town usually and browse a bookshop/library then walk back, which is a long walk (about 3 hours every day).
I would probably end up doing that again. It wouldn't make me more sociable, though.

[Lumiere]

Originally Posted by glarmph

I was worse off before; at least this way I have found others like me.

Here in England I have never seen anything in a newspaper/magazine or on TV about social anxiety. Not once have I seen it mentioned. Ever. If it wasn't for the internet I would still just think I'm a freak and the only one who is like this. In that regard and in a very real sense I feel much less alone than I did before.

[Banzai]

Originally Posted by Lumiere

Here in England I have never seen anything in a newspaper/magazine or on TV about social anxiety. Not once have I seen it mentioned. Ever. If it wasn't for the internet I would still just think I'm a freak and the only one who is like this. In that regard and in a very real sense I feel much less alone than I did before.

You know, you are completely right.

[Toad Licker]

I sat around with nothing much to do but watch tv and play video games before we got the internet, now I sit at my pc all day playing video games and going to a few websites. With the internet I've found an online friend I chat with every weekend, she only has the internet when she's at her dads now . I have been able to find way more music through the internet then I would have without it, music is one thing that helps me bare these mental disorders. If I wanted to take the time and go to chat rooms I think having the internet could help me get off my pc and do things but I find chat rooms boring so I don't go to them very often.

[relyt]

I'm new and I still get a little nervous posting to a public forum. I guess that will go away with time...but e-communication does have its intimidating moments.

[shadowmask]

Originally Posted by Lumiere

Before the internet I was just as much of a loner/hermit, I just read more books and watched more films.
One thing I did used to do which I haven;t done much of since my internet use became habitual was going for long walks. I used to go for extremely long walks and I've been wondering recently why I would do this (seeing as I don't really feel the need to these days), and I think that it was a way of coping with the loneliness and mainly the frustration I must have been feeling at not doing anything. I would just walk to the next town usually and browse a bookshop/library then walk back, which is a long walk (about 3 hours every day).
I would probably end up doing that again. It wouldn't make me more sociable, though.

This is pretty much what I did when I didn't have internet access for a period of several months a few years ago. If only I hadn't let my SA get the best of me, I could have done so much more with my time.

[illlaymedown]

Being on this site and hearing some of these stories has motivated me to want to do and be more in both that I don't wanna be like some of the stories and I do want to be like others...before knowing I had SA, I didn't do much to fight it cus I didn't know there was anything there to fight...I found out about it thru the internet as well...Also, the poll question is a bit broad. Of course abstaining from the internet COULD make life more meaningful, but it could also make life more meaningful using the internet so...I'm gonna go with maybe

[epril]

Originally Posted by Bouffon

It's funny how we all communicate here without much hesitance while the content of some of these messages is about how we struggle to communicate with other people in the outside world. Sometimes I wonder if losing all means of electronic communication for weeks/months would force us to communicate with others face to face and and liberate us from our virtual shells.
Has anyone tried this?
For the older guys with SA, has technology had a direct impact on your SA and can you identify any changes that might have occurred as a result of escaping to to the virtual world?

The interweb has pluses and minuses. Plus, you learn you are not suffering alone, and you're not crazy. You have a disorder, SA. Minus, it takes the place of real face to face conversation, so you don't have as many real time interactions and can hide away easier.

I wish this forum was up when I was in high school and in my younger years. I would've gotten support, when instead. I physically abused myself due to my inner pain. However, I have survived and pushed myself into real situations and have learned and become a little stronger.

[Prakas]

Originally Posted by relyt

I'm new and I still get a little nervous posting to a public forum. I guess that will go away with time...but e-communication does have its intimidating moments.

Welcome to SAS forums Relyt. Don't be intimidated here, we'll be kind I promise . Everyone here is very understanding and helpful, and best of all, no one knows you and visa versa. Your anonymous unless you choose otherwise.

If you ever want to talk hit me up, I won't bite.

[shyvr6]

It's only easier I think because you can post messages with some sort of anonymity and you have some power. You have time to think of what to say, or you don't even have to reply to something if you don't want to. It's not on the spot like a face to face chat or on the phone.

Before the internet, I usually did the calling thing or they called me. Most of the time it was spent alone though.

[Prakas]

True...I'm constantly editing my posts and rereading before I post. Then edit after I make the post. Too bad we can't do this when words come out of our mouths.

[ostorozhno]

Originally Posted by relyt

I'm new and I still get a little nervous posting to a public forum. I guess that will go away with time...but e-communication does have its intimidating moments.

Don't worry. I'm the same way. It took me two weeks to suck it up and make my first post here. Truly though, everyone is really nice and understanding. :]