Okay, here is my problem:
For as long as I can remember, I have always been extremely shy. It used to be a lot worse, but I still blush and get very nervous around people I don't know. I think that people will hate me if they find out who I really am. I tell myself I should not care what they think, but that doesn't always convince me. Another thing is I don't trust people, even the ones I know. I constantly think everyone wants to hurt me and is out to get me. I think part of that could be caused by being cut down too many times; I'm rather sensitive. When people try to talk to me, I end up pushing them away without even trying. At the time, I feel like I don't want to be around anyone, but deep inside I know I want friends. Maybe I just have high expectations.
I have been diagnosed with Bipolar II, and am on Lamictal right now. It helps a little with my mood, but not with my social problems. My psychiatrist thinks it is part of my manic phase, because I get paranoid around people, and tried me on Abilify. It didn't really do anything at all, so I'm not on it anymore. But I think this is a separate problem. I've heard of avoidant, schizoid, and paranoid personality disorders; I really don't see a difference between social phobia and avoidant.
Does anyone know any medicine that can help me? Something that is not an SSRI, because I've been on them before and they've always messed me up. I don't know what I have, or what I can do about it. If you know of anything that could help, please tell me!