Just get over it!

[HollowedShame]

I'm just curious if there's anyone else here that has people brush their anxiety off in a similar way. Many of my friends think that I haven't outgrown being shy, and that I'm simply immature. Some people I encounter even think I'm downright stupid or something. In reality, I have severe social anxiety, and if anything these kind of reactions only make me feel more hopeless and misunderstood.

It's a vicious cycle- I meet people, I have a panic attack, they assume the symptoms from my panic attack mean I'm some kind of arrogant bitch, and then they leave me with nothing but validation for the after thoughts of failure and worthlessness I often have.

I turn to my best friend, a family member. Anyone really. I tell them how I feel. And what do they say?

'Gee, Laryn. You really gotta get over that.' =|

Trust me, if I could just go out and meet people with a big smile plastered to my face, I would! But... I dunno. It's frustrating. I want to get over this... But, how?

Anyone else feel the same?

[tracy cutter]

i feel the same way.. i mean i cant even go out on a date my anxiety takes control and i just flake.

[HollowedShame]

That's a good word to describe what happens to me too, 'flake'. People will literally think there's something wrong with me, or that I'm just dumb or something. But the anxiety just makes me flake right out and I don't really know how to speak or deal with people when I'm like that. Like my brain is too preoccupied frying itself over what others think or say to live in the moment. I dunno, it's hard to explain. I'm glad someone understands what I mean though.

[Noumi]

I feel identified with you.
I'm a very shy person and people usually think that it's easy to get over it they tell me to just talk to people or stop being shy. It's easy to say but it's very hard to do.

[HollowedShame]

Very frustrating isn't it?

It's good to know that I'm not alone, that there are others who understand. =)

[Anyutka]

It ALWAYS happens to me... and I hate it. NONE will try too see why I act this way, that just say, "oh, she hates people and think she`s the best, she doesn`t care." and the true is I care more than anyone else, and it just makes me hate myself more. I am also very romantic but because of this "small" problem I can`t have any kind of relationship. I am afraid (because of other things that happened)

[HollowedShame]

It's so hurtful, the way we are misjudged. People just assume the worst of you, when in truth you're not a bad person at all. I would do anything for anyone if they needed something, I'm too nice in fact. But just so horribly shy, that I can't show that to the world. If only people would take the time to understand or at least try to. But even then, I feel as though it's my own problem, and that makes me feel more worthless than ever.

Thank you all, it means the world to me that people responded. =') I can't stand to feel so alone all the time, again I can't thank you guys enough.