What do you think about this case?

Hi,

I'm new to the forum. I was just wondering about your thoughts on my case.

Well, for starters I just turned 20 which is kind of depressing for me because I currently am not working (mostly because I am afraid of interacting with people) and I have never been in a relationship... ever. I am in college, which was extremely difficult for me to do for the the same reason (human interaction). At school I mostly walk with my head down and try to get to class as quickly as possible. I hate crowded halls and when I have to go through them I feel really warm, and I'm sure I'm blushing. I do well grade wise, I have a 4.0 gpa, but I know it is just because of my perfectionist tendencies and I feel like a failure if I make a B or even a low A on an assignment. I try to avoid talking to anyone and if I see somebody coming toward me, I will go out of my way to avoid them, especially if it is a person that keeps attempting to socialize with me. If somebody talks to me I will usually give one word answers and try to get away as soon as possible. If a person is persistent I will sometimes even insult them in some way, though I dont really mean to be rude. If I'm forced to go to an event where I know I will have to either talk to somebody or be in a large group of people, I will have panic attacks on the nights leading up to it. I usually dont sleep well those nights either. I quit going to church because I dreaded being in a group of people so basically I spend most nights at home with my parents. I have a few close friends that I hang out with every now and then, but I sometimes feel like they are with me only if they have nothing better to do. If they invite me to a party or to a sporting event I always make up some sort of excuse why I can't go. I even have given back some free football tickets because I was panicking when I thought about going. I feel self conscious even doing basic things like pumping gas or going to the grocery store. I'm sure you get the picture.

Basically I'm wondering what do you think I might have? AvPD? Something else? I know only a professional can diagnose but I'm still just wondering so I know what steps to take. I'm thinking of seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist, is this the right step?
Thanks for your help and for reading my whiny/depressing life story.

It sounds like it might be AvPD, Its hard to say. These kind of these kind of get muddled together.

And about the grocery store thing - $#%^, I just went to wal mart, alone, food shopping. I was freaking out. I hate buying food. I dont mind buying other stuff, but I hate buying food. I spose it makes me feel fatter when im in line with food and I feel like everyone thinks "fat guy buying junk food, he doesn't need any more coke". I know I think that sometimes. Even if i buy healthy food i think that people are thinking "damn, that $#%^ wont help you much". I guess I'm kind of judgmental sometimes, and I feel other people are judging and watching me. It makes me really uncomfortable.

Anyways welcome to the forums.

I feel exactly like you, and to make matters worse I have essential tremors, which gets extremely bad when I'm out in public around people. My hands noticably tremble, and sometimes my entire body will shake as well. I'm sure some must have thought I am going through withdrawal or have the d.t.'s (which makes things even more uncomfortable for me). Taking Atenolol has helped me some, and I've been on several different anti-anxiety drugs over the years, but none have proven to be 'miracle' drugs that relieves the social panic completely, and I still have a lot of trouble with social interactions.

Though I wish nobody dealt with this, I'm glad to see that other people feel the same way. I was wondering what kind of psychologist or therapist (if any) that you guys use? And maybe some advice on what helps you. I'm detirmined not to let this hold me back in life!

Different people find different things helpful--but yes, in general, cognitive behavior therapy would be an excellent way to go, especially if it includes an element of behavioral desensitization. There definitely is hope for improvement.

Bindweed wrote:Different people find different things helpful--but yes, in general, cognitive behavior therapy would be an excellent way to go, especially if it includes an element of behavioral desensitization. There definitely is hope for improvement.

Okay thank you, that is very helpful!

Bindweed wrote:Different people find different things helpful--but yes, in general, cognitive behavior therapy would be an excellent way to go, especially if it includes an element of behavioral desensitization. There definitely is hope for improvement.

Agree in both, cognitive-behavioural and some kind of desensitization.