Some of what I've been going through!

[dawningday]

Hello everyone,

I've been on this site for about a week now (or close to) and I decided to write a bit about myself, what I've been going through and what I would like to achieve.
I've always had a problem being very shy and being an introvert. I've seen doctors and such when I was younger, but never gave anything a chance with them. I always figured that I should just man-up, not be a wimp and deal with how life is. For the past several years, I became a hairstylist hoping that it would change me. To be able to deal with people and face life. It has helped a bit. I've learned a lot of professional skills, dealing with people etc. But I'm still just as nervous and shy.
Its to the point that I can hardly be around people, afraid to go to the grocery store, talk on the phone etc.

Anyways, I've come to a point....after losing my job (salon went bankrupt), that I've gone back to school to get my highschool diploma....find a different job. I've even finally talked to my doctor about this social problem, and he put me on a anti-anxiety medication. I've been on it for about 3 months now, and find it has made a lot of difference. He would have liked for me, to see a therapist but because I didn't have insurance or was working at the time, I was unable to.
This is what brought me to this site. I decided to research more, to see what help was available online.

So, that's a bit of my story....condensed version. Hopefully I didn't write too much....didn't want to bore anyone...lol

P.S. Everybody has been so nice and helpful on here, love the chat and I appreciate everyone's kindness. Thanks again.

 

[johnny196775]

Thank you for joining the website.

 

[Nicolelt]

I'm glad you joined the forum! And it sounds like you have made great progress thus far. Just so you know, I am supporting you all the way Dawning Day!

 

[ladyforsaken]

I'm glad to hear of the improvements made in your life so far, dawningday. Keep going and all the best.

 

[Peaches]

Hi Dawning, welcome - I can say I know very well where do you come from, until I was maybe 25 I had problems even speaking up, at least with strangers I always talked in an inaudible voice, had to take tranquilizers to make a work phone call etc.
The problem with tranquilizers is that one can't take them forever (I did, almost forever, and they destroyed my health completely)
The problem with social anxiety is that one has to de-condition oneself from many years of fear habits, and unfortunately it takes an equal number of years. I found greatly beneficial to be around people as much as possible, possibly in "forgiving" environments such as church (ok, I don't go to church, but you can imagine) therapy groups, help groups, yoga etc, because there the judgment is a tiny bit less strong and one learns to be more forgiving towards oneself.
In high school I run away to do the theatre school, it was half of a nightmare but the other half was bliss and for some years I wasn't shy anymore.

Also this book helped a lot http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Shy-Shybusters-That-Work/dp/0071456422

and many others, if you want I can send you a full list

http://www.amazon.com/Goodbye-Shy-Shybusters-That-Work/dp/0071456422

also therapy to understand where all the fear came from (in my case, from severe bullying and very cold antisocial family with zero social skills)

 

[dawningday]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the support. It means a lot to me!

I'm very interested in those books....but, I'll have to buy them later. Once I get a full time job again, as I'm on assistance at the moment(first time for this, and makes me a bit of shame being on it).
I was also looking at sites about CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy -if that's correct), I imagine that's what my doctor would have me see a specialist for. Right now I've been looking and doing things, like positive affirmations. When negative thoughts come into my head, to look at them and chase them out of my head, or tell myself this is not true.

I'm very interested in learning how others deal with changing things for themselves.
Anyways thanks again everyone.