Hi everyone. 39 yo male from Melbourne with avpd

Hi peoples just wanted to introduce myself. I just moved to Melbourne and as someone with avpd am finding things extremely difficult. I have had what I thought was social anxiety since 14 years old, but it got better for a while during my 20s, then steadily progressed to avpd which I now have to deal with. I have tried finding specific help groups here in Melbourne but haven't had much success since moving from interstate. The thing with me is I love people and want to be able to meet and integrate, however the anxiety and stress of even going out to the shops is enough to stop me from doing so. Another thing is I haven't worked since about 10 years ago, and sometimes lack the confidence to even call for an appointment or utilities. Life is really hard atm, but I hope it can get better and sometimes feel optimistic that it will. I've managed to be in a few relationships which funny enough have helped me to push myself out there (none of my exs new I had avpd) I masked it with all my might. Since coming to Melbourne things have gotten worse as I don't know anyone here and even going out for a walk is a anxiety inducing activity at times. Anyway guys sorry for my long post lol, just wanted to introduce myself and tell a bit of my story. Cheers

Hi and welcome! I know what you mean about moving to a new area. It's worth it to keep pushing yourself though. Best of luck!

Hey skyflyz.Thanks very much, hope that you're doing well. It's been extremely difficult, beyond what words could ever explain. I'm trying to push myself through different means but find that I lack the motivation to continue with these methods, and that's when I fall back into the negative thinking and things don't/can't progress. I realise that I need to make a huge effort, but also feel like I need help to kick start myself and be held accountable to my continuing to push on with bettering my Avpd. It's rather hard when you don't have the confidence to make new friends and all your others are either married or have been pushed away years ago from my avoiding them. Again I thank you for your kind words

I would really like to ask, Melbourne Australia, or is it Florida?

is this forum dead or what

Yes, the forum is quiet at the moment. Like all forums, it goes through stages of being busier and quieter.

Hi wobbie, hope you're doing well. I'm from Melbourne Australia.

lilyfairy wrote:Yes, the forum is quiet at the moment. Like all forums, it goes through stages of being busier and quieter.

Forums are dying all over the place. Big Tent just went under. Their avpd forum kept going downhill and was totally inactive for a year before Big Tent shut down. It's not a stage that will necessarily just improve. It could be the death stage.

Where are people going? Social networks aren't good for this sort of forum or maybe nobody really cares.

Damian wrote:Hi wobbie, hope you're doing well. I'm from Melbourne Australia.

What have you found in the way of help in this city? I feel like walking into my GP and telling them I want to die is not going to be very productive (been there done that)... My boss has recently told me "As you know, your contract is only fixed term and..." you get the gist. I've been very hard done by, and I have found myself in a profession that is totally and unequivocally unsuitable for me. I only ended up there because I juggled my way through so much university (a means of avoiding real life I guess). I took the job as if it were exposure therapy. Didn't work, it is more like torturing yourself. No idea what to do now... It's just killng me