What can I do?

I'm a university student,who will be graduating soon.However I am more concerned about what what I will do in the future.

I can't force myself to get a job,because I can not work with people or work in close proximity with anyone.

My Parents don't believe I have anything wrong with myself. I am convinced that I have some form of depression and social anxiety.I've persistently been shy,timid,lonely and disappointed throughout my life.Only in recent years has my depression increased and my fear of people has also increased to a virtual state of paranoia.

I feel awful because I feel I've wasted all of my time at university avoiding people and studying very hard.I have had several bad phases of feeling suicidal/worthless and isolated throughout my university life. No one at the university would listen to my story or give any help to me.The university listening service never replied to my e-mails.




I need help to overcome my depression/ dysthmia and social phobia.

BUT

My parents are unlikely to allow me to go visit a psychologist or a therapist

What can I do?

Universities often offer counseling services to students free of charge. See what you can do with a campus councilor if you feel that would help.

Also, its not unusual to be affraid of the future when graduating comes up. Theres just so much out there, your being hurled head-first out of your comfort zone and thats very scary to alot of people.

maybe you could touch me.
I'm more pained than you on this topic.
I'm ChineseBoy.

Cheer up friend !

I'm also suffering from such thing. The only difference is I'm a graduate.

I also had the same problem during my life as a student, which is full of unhappiness. During my primaries and secondaries, I didn't speak a single word- even when intimidated by teachers to speak. I was in complete isolation, without friends, being alone all the time. Fortunately, I managed to complete my studies as schools in my country (I'm from a South East Asian nation) normally do not call for much social activities.

My school life improved when I reached my 8th or 9th grade. Only then did I start to make a few friends. All in all, my school life was disappointing. Like you, I studied hard simply to divert my attention- and I'm a good student. I narrowly missed out to join the Medical School and I started my university life 3 years after my matriculation, during which time I stayed most of the time at home reading books, helping my family- that is, of course, to avoid more social contact. I read a lot of books on how to improve social skills, which I think was very helpful to me.

I was a completely different person/student at the university where I have so many friends but again let me emphasise that our education system rarely calls for much social activities. If a student can study hard he will pass the exam- no big researches involving social interaction.

I'm 26 now. I've been working for 2 years now but that is merely due to the good support I have from my family. If I need to find a job on my own, I will not get one.

The above-mentioned facts don't mean that I have recovered. No. Far from that. I'm worried, timid, afraid.....most of the time. Although, I smile most of the time in front of people, I may be in tears when alone simply do not know what to do. I may be talkative in front of some people who are close to me, even then I feel worried, shy, afraid... But with certain people(even those who are closely related to me) I become mute.

I think we (you and I) can overcome that. I'm not sure whether you're a male/ female, but being a grown-up male (ie at least what my age suggests), I can't go on like that. You also. You may sometimes wish that you're not born at all. But that wish can't be fullfilled. We might as well "fight" to live normally ! We have arms and legs as normal people, if they can do, why can't we?

I'm writing all this just to let you know that you're not alone. There is someone who is like you and ready to help you.

I'll try to make a list of things we should do to be a normal, dependable, socially capable person.

Hope to hear from you also. Until then, GOOD LUCK