Social Anxiety Disorder

[captain_nemo]

I am 29/M and I feel I am suffering from Social Anxiety Disorder. Though I haven't consulted any psychotherapist but I feel that may be I am suffering from it because it has gone beyond my control. The main symptoms I have noticed in myself are as follows:

 

Whenever I understand that I'll have to be in a social situation of informal type

 

1. I get nervous.

 

2. I loose sleep from a couple of days before the scheduled date.

 

3. I loose normal appetite.

 

4. I get a stomach upset. I get flatulence, loose motion &

repeated urge for toilet.

 

5. I loose concentration and my daily work schedule is hampered.

 

6. I try my best to find excuses to avoid attending the invitation.

 

When I arrive at the place I do the following:

 

1. I keep a low profile to avoid attention.

 

2. I talk either less or talk decent but rude words so that people

avoid talking to me.

 

3. I sweat profoundly while having informal talks to people.

 

4. I find excuses to leave the place early.

 

5. Social situations makes me mentally tired very easily so much

that my fatigue becomes visible.

 

The following things happen when I have to meet a girl:

 

1. The mere thought of interacting with a gal makes me nervous

and makes me sweat like hell with a stomach upset.

 

2. I loose sleep, appetite and concentration.

 

3. If I have to meet any gal for professional reason, I try my best

to make the meeting short and to-the-point.

 

4. I try my best to avoid informal interaction with gals.

 

5. I avoid going to those places where there are a group of gals

e.g. shops, streets, rooms, railway compartments etc.

 

6. If I have to sit next to a gal in a public place, I pretend to read

something or to sleep so that she doesn't get any opportunity

to talk to me.

 

7. I smoke and use slang languages so that gals prefer to keep

distance from me.

 

8. I avoid making eye contact with gals as much as possible.

 

9. I try my best to avoid being a part of any team having one or

more young female members.

 

10. I pretend to ignore the presense of any gal nearby so that

neither she has to talk to me nor I have to talk to her. Even if I

look at any beautiful gal, I do it tactfully so that either she

doesn't realize it or she feels that it was a casual look.

 

It is not that I enjoy doing the above things but it is a psychological obligation. The social situation and interaction with gals make me so stressed that I do the above to avoid stress. Currently I am leading a lonely life because of these but I can't help it. I just can't tolerate the stress. I can't afford to be a object of fun after being dumped by anyone. I don't have that level of mental strength.

[RandomAdvisor]

I think you should see a psychologist about this. It certainly sounds like you have many of the symptoms, but only a trained professional could say for certain - and treat you.

[heloladies21]

Go see a professional. There are treatments for this condition.

[darkblue]

The best chances you have of overcoming this problem would be to see your doctor clarify.

 

Once/if diagnosed, there are a range of medication which can help you find your feet - as well as therapy.