Is this a kind of personality or social withdrawal?

cosmogirl · 10-30-2009, 04:16 PM

I'm 19 and I'm unable to properly socialize. Right now, I can properly socialize for like 30 seconds and it improves a bit daily. So it's basically a certain amount of time I can spend around people before feeling lost, not knowing how to act, and feeling uncomfortable.

Do you think it could be my personality (both my parents are very shy and introverted)? Am I still in my shell slowly coming out or social withdrawal due to a depression?

Dinka · 10-30-2009, 05:01 PM

Are you depressed? You mentioned it at the end of your thoughts, but didn't touch on it once beforehand. Social withdrawl certainly is a symptom of depression.

But it can be a that you are also just learning how to socialize. Is this the first time you're being put into true social situations on your own? I don't mean high school classes where you're forced to interact with folks your own age. Maybe you are just learning? The big question is...are you actively trying to engage with people, making progress?

cosmogirl · 10-30-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dinka

Are you depressed? You mentioned it at the end of your thoughts, but didn't touch on it once beforehand. Social withdrawl certainly is a symptom of depression.

But it can be a that you are also just learning how to socialize. Is this the first time you're being put into true social situations on your own? I don't mean high school classes where you're forced to interact with folks your own age. Maybe you are just learning? The big question is...are you actively trying to engage with people, making progress?

I have bipolar II. I also think I'm learning how to socialize because I haven't ever properly socialized before. It is the first time I'm being put into true social situations on my own and I am making progress. As much as I do want to socialize, since it doesn't work out for me yet, I try not to spend so much time around people. This is what my parents think is weird. I don't want to talk to my relative because I think I'll be weird and my parents find that as describing social withdrawal and as part of my bipolar.

It's very slow progress so I think it's going to take a couple of years till I'm fully social.

Dinka · 10-30-2009, 05:29 PM

You need to remind yourself that you are making progress. Progress can be slow - that's okay. There is no time limit as to when you're expected to be a social butterfly, if at all.

I'm certain that having to deal with bipolar II will make this all that more difficult, but not impossible. Perhaps this is something you can speak with your doctor about. He/She will know the right approach to take in this situation. If you are not comfortable discussing it with your doctor, just remember to do whatever is most comfortable for you...there is no need to make this a stressful situation.

Don't force yourself into scenarios where you feel like you have to be social. My boyfriend has terrible social anxiety - to the point where he used to have panic attacks. He actually should have been medicated for it, and he wasn't...and the good news is that he's much improved on his own. Yes, it might take a few years to fully adjust, but as long as you are making forward-moving progress, you won't realize how quickly time flies or how at-ease you become.

10-30-2009, 04:16 PM	#1
cosmogirl Offline Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Is this a kind of personality or social withdrawal? I'm 19 and I'm unable to properly socialize. Right now, I can properly socialize for like 30 seconds and it improves a bit daily. So it's basically a certain amount of time I can spend around people before feeling lost, not knowing how to act, and feeling uncomfortable. Do you think it could be my personality (both my parents are very shy and introverted)? Am I still in my shell slowly coming out or social withdrawal due to a depression?

10-30-2009, 05:01 PM	#2
Dinka Offline Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 402	Are you depressed? You mentioned it at the end of your thoughts, but didn't touch on it once beforehand. Social withdrawl certainly is a symptom of depression. But it can be a that you are also just learning how to socialize. Is this the first time you're being put into true social situations on your own? I don't mean high school classes where you're forced to interact with folks your own age. Maybe you are just learning? The big question is...are you actively trying to engage with people, making progress? __________________ "I'd like to introduce you to the long lost sister of Debbie Downer and Negative Nancy.... Petulant Patty!" "This is starting to sound like Rainbow Brite on way too many barbiturates."

10-30-2009, 05:29 PM	#4
Dinka Offline Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 402	You need to remind yourself that you are making progress. Progress can be slow - that's okay. There is no time limit as to when you're expected to be a social butterfly, if at all. I'm certain that having to deal with bipolar II will make this all that more difficult, but not impossible. Perhaps this is something you can speak with your doctor about. He/She will know the right approach to take in this situation. If you are not comfortable discussing it with your doctor, just remember to do whatever is most comfortable for you...there is no need to make this a stressful situation. Don't force yourself into scenarios where you feel like you have to be social. My boyfriend has terrible social anxiety - to the point where he used to have panic attacks. He actually should have been medicated for it, and he wasn't...and the good news is that he's much improved on his own. Yes, it might take a few years to fully adjust, but as long as you are making forward-moving progress, you won't realize how quickly time flies or how at-ease you become. __________________ "I'd like to introduce you to the long lost sister of Debbie Downer and Negative Nancy.... Petulant Patty!" "This is starting to sound like Rainbow Brite on way too many barbiturates."