Social anxiety just won't go

[jefferina]

Hello all it's been along time since I wrote on here and there has been a lot of change in my life....I've Been suffering with social anxiety possibly all my life but the last two years it has completely taken over... I got married two years ago in July and that was the last time I seen my friends... Things have improved as there was a time I couldn't go out at all, couldn't see my family and every time my phone went or doorbell rang I would be scared to death.. The problem I have is the fear of going red.... It sounds so ridiculous when I right it but it reAlly effects me so much so I have isolated my self from most people... I can now see my family and I do venture out but the fear of seeing someone I no is still there... I felt I was getting somewhere but then I became pregnant and I now have a 11wk old baby girl and my anxiety has come back and along with it depression.....I'm finding it very difficult at the moment... Suppose I'm writing just to get it off my chest and I think here is a good place as I no most ppl will no how I feel...
I have been diagnosed with post natal depression.... I just need the motivation bk to continue forward with my life I'm so fed up with this taking over my life I want to be bk to my normal self whatever that is... I've been this way for so long I don't no if I can ever go bk to how I was... Suppose I just Wana enjoy life again... Sorry for the moan ...

[Oosh]

It doesn't sound daft at all. I've known stacks of people super self conscious about blushing in front of others. And I've known lots get over it.

I think it's definitely something you can get out of your system with things like cbt and challenging the way you think about blushing.

I think when you find a better way to see it you'll be back out socialising with friends and your mood will lift again.

Have you discussed it all with your doc ?

Don't waste anymore time and get straight on it. No change is depressing. The thought of change is very stimulating and will probably give you a lift.

People do not give a stuff if they see you blush. I certainly don't. I like seeing shy, timid, introverted qualities in others. I notice them a mile off and like it because I can relate, empathise with them. We're all different, thank god.

Some people will like you more, feel more comfortable with you because they've seen you blush.

It's also not that easy to see people blush. Peoples faces flush for all sorts of reasons.

So it may be more the feeling of feeling embarrassed in front of others you're a bit phobic about. I don't like being embarrassed in front of others. But you can compose yourself and be a bit reserved so you don't end up blabbing something that you later regret. I hate being embarrassed in front of others but it very rarely happens in reality.

But if you DID get embarrassed in front of others see it with humour. If you have trouble with that then practice being able to laugh at yourself.
I know it's hard, I cringe at things I did and said years ago. But hey, that's me. That quality will be attractive to many. It's not such a bad thing. Accept who you are. Accept you get easily embarrassed. So what ?

I think some different perspectives like that and some exposure therapy would help you.

You'll get back out there having fun. Good times ahead ! :]

[jefferina]

Thank you for replying to me.... What you said is so true and your right I'm embarrassed about being embarrassed.... I suppose I see redness as a weakness in a way and the weird thing is that most of the time I'm more embarrassed about going red then I am about the situation I'm in...
I have done exposure therapy before well just before I became pregnant and I think it's time to start that again then...
Its nice to hear that other people can relate to this problem ... Thank u xx