Anxiety and worry when socialising

[dizzielizzie]

Hi there!

I'm 24 and since 16 I have got drunk to socilise or gone clubbing and took drugs to feel confident and meet friends. I've not done recreational drugs for a year now and I've been T total for 3 weeks, but now I can't handle any situation!!!

I hate worrying what people think, but I can't help it, I'm turning agraphobic, I think everyone dislikes me, the person that was me has gone, but really it wasn't me it was the booze and the drugs. Its sooo hard as I used to have loads of friends in the club scene, but I had to stop it all as the come downs and hangovers in the week, stopped me from going to work.

Any advice?

Lizzie xx

[wendy]

Hi Lizzie

Well done for giving up on the drugs and drinking,

I understand how you feel as have been there myself and felt I lacked confidence when going out sober, Maybe its time to move on to different circles of friend? Find a hobby or sport or join the Gym or book a holiday?

Clubbing is good for a while but as you say the after effects were taking over your work and leaving you exhausted - you did the right thing inmoving on and need to re-build your confidence to do new things

Have you spoke to your doc about how your feeling?

Wendy x

[dizzielizzie]

Yeh I've seen my doctor a number of times and finally I've been referred to a psychiatrist and I've agreed to start taking citalopram 10mg as from today. Hopefully that will help me get the confidence to make new friends, because all I do now is stay in. I used to be a right party animal and now I feel like I'm nothing.

Thanks for your support hun

Lizzie xx

[andrew]

hi lizzie,

well done for giving up the drink and drugs.

hopefully you wont have to wait too long for the psychiatrist appointment. have a good read through the social anxiety section, you might find posts that you can relate to and get a bit more insight into whats happening and ways to cope/deal with it .. you take care .. andrew

[dizzielizzie]

Thanks Andrew thanks Wendy!

Started on citalopram Monday but the side effects are taken there toll big time! I'm crapping myself about going for a meal with my blokes family.

I'm scared of people, I'd rather stay in. I hate negativity, like if someone doesn't like something or is in a mood. I understand that everyone is selfish and I suppose you have to be but I've been screwed over by almost everyone. My Dad, step mum and her family, bullied at school, sexually abused by my step uncle, raped, had my things robbed for drugs had my ex boyfriend's family turn on me because they thought I was a fake as I was "too nice"

Is the world so ****ed up?
Why should I go out theres only one person I trust and thats my partner, he supports me and knows everything and he is the only person that I've ever been totally honest with, so I'm sooo lucky for that but I don't think I'll ever be able to like or trust people naturally without taking drugs.

Lizzie x

[andrew]

hi lizzie,

did you manage to go out, how did it go?

well im not surprised that you've got issues with trusting ppl when so many ppl have let you down in the past. it might take a long time. i do know the more you trust yourself the easier it will be to like and trust other ppl again. and when you do trust yourself more, this will not be such a issue for you.

you are doing really well giving up the drugs, booze and cigs. having given up all these things myself at some point in my life, i do know that the anxiety increases in the short term, something about the brain needing to settle back down. and on top of giving up all these things, you've got a job and a relationship to cope with. give yourself some praise, work with your successes and stay positive.

keep posting, you take care .. andrew

[Meg]

Lizzie

Little step out followed by little step out.

Find new interests/hobbies not fueled by drugs and alcohol.

Meg
www.anxietymanagementltd.com

proactiveness, positivity, persistence, perseverance and practice = progress