Posted by sar on November 12, 2001, at 19:46:32
In reply to Talking(in front of people), posted by tensor on November 12, 2001, at 17:15:41
dear tensor,
have you ever heard of social anxiety/social phobia? it is characterized by an irrational fear of embarrassing oneself. there's some information about it on this site, as well as many others.
i onced dropped a class in college that called for a partnered oral presentation lasting 15-20 minutes. i felt there was no way i could actually seek a partner out, work with this stranger, then stand in front of 30 students and a prof for half an hour. i dropped the class.
prior to getting on medication, i'd suddenly sometimes be caught off-guard by a talkative counterperson at the gas station or bookstore, wanting to know about my brand of cigs or choice of reading material. i always kept my answers brief, sometimes even felt breathless, then would make my escape feeling gracious (they were stuck behind the counter and couldn't, like, make me pursue the conversation!)
i used to be very afraid of leaving messages on answering machines for fear i'd sound ridiculous. i always kept the message brief so i could hang up ASAP.
i tried cognitive behavioral therapy for awhile years back--the therapist and i would address these irrational fears of mine and talk about them realistically--but that didn't really help me. a combination of prozac (AD) and klonopin (benzo) have helped me immeasurably, though i still sometimes feel nervous talking to a v. cute guy or appearing before a judge for criminal charges, etc etc.
i suggest you research this. it is much more common than you think, and knowledge is power...
best to you,
sar
recovering social phobic
poster:sar
thread:13818
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011105/msgs/13825.html