JohnLuke300
28-05-10, 15:20
Hi everyone it's me... no don't remember. I used to use this site but just before last Christmas I went into exile. To remind everyone I am a Social Phobia sufferer and have been since I was 10 (I'm 41 now). My phobia was rather severe and up until 2 years ago I was neither diagnosed or treated for my phobia. When I was last using this website I was making great progress but I was still unemployed after 8 years, still without a girlfriend after well ever! (Or at least 25 years since I've been interested in getting one :D) and only occasionally venturing out of the house. But now after 6 months in exile I am back, so has anything changed... Well I got a job, all be it part time. I'm going on holiday to Cyprus at the end of July. And brace yourself........I got myself a GIRLFRIEND!!! Yes you heard it folks a real life GIRLFRIEND (not one you blow-up! :roflmao:). After 25 years of being alone (thanks to my phobia) I'm am no longer single. And would you believe it she's a blonde bombshell too! :yesyes:
Well it goes to prove you should never give up hope (although I nearly did on many occasions :D). I still suffer from anxiety and Social Phobia but I have a different outlook now that is undermining my phobia. I realize it's OK to be anxious and I probably always will be. But I have lived with it long enough to know it has limitations on how it can effect me. I accept I can't be perfect all the time and I will make mistakes, but that's OK because we all make mistakes. I also have learned that over-analysing my illness and social situations gets me nowhere, it just makes me more anxious. Now I just don't think about what might happen in each social situation I just accept that I am a capable individual and am able to cope even if I do go into panic. It seems to be working because now I seem more able to face my fears and use avoidance far less than I once did. My phobia as governed my life for 30 years, but now I think I've finally got my hands on the reins and I am at last in charge of my own destiny. :yahoo:I still feel I have a long road to walk before I finally overcome all of my socially phobia's but I think it's now obvious that I am on the right road.
So here I am back to talk to my friends again and maybe make a few new ones too! :D
Take care :hugs:
John
Well it goes to prove you should never give up hope (although I nearly did on many occasions :D). I still suffer from anxiety and Social Phobia but I have a different outlook now that is undermining my phobia. I realize it's OK to be anxious and I probably always will be. But I have lived with it long enough to know it has limitations on how it can effect me. I accept I can't be perfect all the time and I will make mistakes, but that's OK because we all make mistakes. I also have learned that over-analysing my illness and social situations gets me nowhere, it just makes me more anxious. Now I just don't think about what might happen in each social situation I just accept that I am a capable individual and am able to cope even if I do go into panic. It seems to be working because now I seem more able to face my fears and use avoidance far less than I once did. My phobia as governed my life for 30 years, but now I think I've finally got my hands on the reins and I am at last in charge of my own destiny. :yahoo:I still feel I have a long road to walk before I finally overcome all of my socially phobia's but I think it's now obvious that I am on the right road.
So here I am back to talk to my friends again and maybe make a few new ones too! :D
Take care :hugs:
John