Posted by Alara on January 2, 2003, at 2:18:29
In reply to Re: What are Social Phobics doing for New Year's?, posted by BlackSheep on December 30, 2002, at 10:19:29
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> You know, socializing is overrated. Ok, some like it (not many on this board) and some of us don't.
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> If isolating is increasing our anxiety, depression, addictive behaviors, then yes, we need to make some changes. But if we are indeed more comfortable with ourselves when we are alone at home with our pets, then go for it. And we are reaching out here, on this board, it's our way of comfortably socializing and it's ok.
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>Blacksheep, I agree that this board provides a valuable, `safe' outlet for socialising..But I also believe that the reason that so many of us (myself included) protest that `real life' socialising is overrated is because we are so debilitated by our fear. Some may disagree here, but human beings are social animals...That's why so many find relief reaching out on this board.
So many of us here who talk about despising social interactions also suffer from incredible loneliness and (you said it) problems with depression, anxiety, and addictions. I know from experience that spending too much time alone fuels these problems.
It is true that many social phobics will never thrive in traditional social settings (like parties). However, I do believe that those same people can build satisfying and lasting relationships to fulfill the social needs that all human beings have. It took me a long time to understand this.
There is an optimal social life for everyone. But the biggest barrier that we face is our own fear.
poster:Alara
thread:34168
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021226/msgs/34359.html