Social anxiety disorder or do I just hate people?

[irishScott]

I think I've stuck a nice balance. I like being social, and I'll plan/host parties for my friends and such; but at the same time I don't need to do it everyday and I've gone weeks without human contact when it was necessary (work and such).

 

[slackerinabox]

I'm fine either way though I'm an introverted person by nature so I like to have my alone time. It's hard for some people to accept that sometimes you'd just rather be alone and it's not for any depressing reason. I have a healthy balance of both most of the time.

Yeah, I think a lot of people think that I'm a terrorist, serial killer, or pedo-bear...People just don't get me anymore, but I'm learning to be OK with that.

 

[Colt45]

I'm a bit of a lone wolf myself, It's not that i'm a total misanthrope, I just dislike large groups of people. and idiots. and large groups of idiots.

 

[masterxfob]

Hah - oddly, Christmas parties cause me so much anxiety that I'd rather stay in, watch "Its a Wonderful Life" and drink egg nog. Though I do like shopping for people, and don't really like asking for gifts.

i don't attend many, but it's always nice to have a drink and share a few laughs with genuine friends . it's also nice to stay in with a SO and watch a movie with the fireplace roaring on a cold december night. can't say the same about that egg nog though...

 

[fatpat268]

i tend to dislike most people. hate is too strong a word for the masses and is better reserved for those you truly have something against.

however, i'm always a bit happier and kinder during the month of december. there's something about christmas music that puts a smile on my face.

I wish I could share that same optimism. When I was younger... I loved christmas time.

Now, I'm only 22, but the pure thought of Christmas makes me a scrooge. I don't Christmas, but I hate packed crowded stores with long lines, idiot drivers who can only think about spending their money and not paying attention to the road, and christmas music played non-stop in stores.

I don't mind Christmas, but I'd prefer to stay home 24/7 during december.

 

[theeedude]

Anyone take Buspar? Doc just prescribed it, wanna see what people's experiences with it are.

 

[JohnCU]

Anyone take Buspar? Doc just prescribed it, wanna see what people's experiences with it are.

i took it, it's for anxiety, made me depressed. maybe because i was coming off of paxil, which simulates you having more serotonin, and then switching to buspar which reduces the amount of serotonin you had. it was awful.

are you the same senseamp that used to roam about tweak3d?

 

[theeedude]

No, not same one. But that's interesting. Did depression resolve when you stopped taking it? I think I am going to try yoga before I start taking meds :|

 

[JohnCU]

No, not same one. But that's interesting. Did depression resolve when you stopped taking it? I think I am going to try yoga before I start taking meds :|

depression resolved after i'd restarted antidepressants, which also help my anxiety. the one best thing that has helped my anxiety: exercise. not strenuous, i'm talking about just walking 30 minutes a day. helped tremendously. i recommend trying that before permanently messing with your brain chemistry.

 

[theeedude]

depression resolved after i'd restarted antidepressants, which also help my anxiety. the one best thing that has helped my anxiety: exercise. not strenuous, i'm talking about just walking 30 minutes a day. helped tremendously. i recommend trying that before permanently messing with your brain chemistry.

I do exercise a lot (2hrs per day +), but I sort of agree with not taking chances until I exhaust other options. Have history of mental illness and suicide in family, don't really want to accidentally trigger something.
I had my anxiety pretty much under control, but broke up recently, and it sort of triggered it again. Gonna try yoga for a few more weeks, see if it helps reign it back in.
The doc seems to think that Buspar is just vitamins for the head and there are no side effects, but that's not what I am reading here:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=18731&name=BUSPAR&page=1

 

[zerocool84]

You guys saying that all people let you down, are stupid, and any conversations you have with them are dumbed down well have you guys ever thought that maybe you are the problem? They way you are attracts certain types of people. Just like a woman who always gets guys who beat her, you guys attract a certain type of person. If you changed things about yourself you'll attract different types of people that you'll enjoy and click with. You guys probably need to see counseling and see what the problem is if you want to change since that's the only way it'll work.

 

[CRXican]

You guys saying that all people let you down, are stupid, and any conversations you have with them are dumbed down well have you guys ever thought that maybe you are the problem? They way you are attracts certain types of people. Just like a woman who always gets guys who beat her, you guys attract a certain type of person. If you changed things about yourself you'll attract different types of people that you'll enjoy and click with. You guys probably need to see counseling and see what the problem is if you want to change since that's the only way it'll work.

shut up

 

[vital]

anyone tried Lexapro?

 

[FelixDeCat]

Here is the official ATOT loners club tee:

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You guys saying that all people let you down, are stupid, and any conversations you have with them are dumbed down well have you guys ever thought that maybe you are the problem? They way you are attracts certain types of people. Just like a woman who always gets guys who beat her, you guys attract a certain type of person. If you changed things about yourself you'll attract different types of people that you'll enjoy and click with. You guys probably need to see counseling and see what the problem is if you want to change since that's the only way it'll work.

Your missing the point. I'm okay with being a loner. Actually it's my preference. I could hang out with people and I choose not to. It's probably messed up but it's my life.

 

[destrekor]

You guys saying that all people let you down, are stupid, and any conversations you have with them are dumbed down well have you guys ever thought that maybe you are the problem? They way you are attracts certain types of people. Just like a woman who always gets guys who beat her, you guys attract a certain type of person. If you changed things about yourself you'll attract different types of people that you'll enjoy and click with. You guys probably need to see counseling and see what the problem is if you want to change since that's the only way it'll work.

that's not it at all.

for some people, it's simply their personality. That "loner trait" is a strong personality type, in a lot of people.

What was it, INTP, INTJ? Some combination of letters similar to those. Cannot remember which one I was (I think INTP), but a few of the similar ones just prefer "me" time. Socializing requires energy, being a loner rebuilds that energy, and alone time provides more enjoyment in the end. Especially when there are drugs present, the kind being a good friend to INTPs. Also why many INTPs are artistic or creative in some way.

 

[destrekor]

Here is the official ATOT loners club tee:

i hate you

 

[zerocool84]

Your missing the point. I'm okay with being a loner. Actually it's my preference. I could hang out with people and I choose not to. It's probably messed up but it's my life.

I never said it was wrong but people here were complaining that the reason why they are loners is cus all the people they meet are dumb and stupid and can't hold conversations. I'm just saying that it's probably something they do that attracts those types of people. Also you can only change if you want to. Nothing is going to force you.

 

[meltdown75]

don't hate me bro

 

[olds]

You guys saying that all people let you down, are stupid, and any conversations you have with them are dumbed down well have you guys ever thought that maybe you are the problem? They way you are attracts certain types of people. Just like a woman who always gets guys who beat her, you guys attract a certain type of person. If you changed things about yourself you'll attract different types of people that you'll enjoy and click with. You guys probably need to see counseling and see what the problem is if you want to change since that's the only way it'll work.

People click with me all the time. It's just that I'd rather not socialize that much. I have a friend that used to call once a week just to chat. What kind of guy does that? He even has a wife.

 

[Whisper]

People click with me all the time. It's just that I'd rather not socialize that much. I have a friend that used to call once a week just to chat. What kind of guy does that? He even has a wife.

Eh, some people just enjoy talking for the sake of talking, while others don't. I personally am not one of those talkative people, but I don't mind individuals who are.

That being said, for many socially anxious people, I'd imagine that one of the ways they come to terms with the condition--and/or one of the consequences of always being hyperattentive to how others perceive you--is to attach negative feelings to all aspects of social situations, including the people involved.

It's obviously not enjoyable to be sitting in a room, anxious that everyone's looking at you, and having to force yourself to talk because your nerves have clamped down on your ability to spontaneously think of something to say. Thus, the act of socializing becomes associated with all of these negative emotions and physiological reactions. Eventually, the thought of socializing itself starts to elicit them; one of the ways we may attempt to "explain" this avoidance of socialization to ourselves, then, is to--again--attach negative meanings and characteristics to everything social: the people, the conversation topics, the locations, etc.

 

[coloumb]

Welcome to the "Equal Opportunity Haters Club" or EOHC.

I think as most of us get older - we become less tolerant of other people. If that's not the case, then perhaps people have become less intolerable due to their upbringing from society [look at all the crap on tv today compared to what was being shown 20 years ago].

Put me in a remote area [VERY difficult to get to - think of the island in LOST] with my toys, food/water for survival, a high speed reliable internet connection, and a conjugal visit a few times a week and I'd be happy.

 

[Jeff7]

I have the same problem except I am to the point it's just the wife and the dog minus any friends.

Same here, minus the wife and the dog. :awe:


ATOT is a nice place for "friends" - it's basically got an ON/OFF switch, along with a solenoid attached to it that randomly fires off whenever vB decides to have a stroke.
That's pretty much why I'd never want kids: No switch, like the always-on-Internet from hell. Sure you guys are entertaining and such, but the trolls are easy to ignore, and I can always just switch tabs or close the browser window. There's really no (moral) way to do something comparable with kids.

Likewise, socializing in person can be nice - for a short time. After a little while, it crosses over into becoming stressful just having to be around people. Add in the fact that I really don't like being around groups (>2 other people is a "group" for this context), and it kind of limits the sorts of mildly-social things I would be willing to participate in.


(Also, life has no "Edit" button, unlike these forums. )

 

[olds]

All of you, get off my lawn!

 

[meltdown75]

but it's such a fun lawn