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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sleepygirl on July 10, 2005, at 22:54:16
Why would a person such as myself with crippling social anxiety choose a profession dealing with people. Perhaps I am a masochist? I should be tucked away in a remote village, cut off from society and all its difficulties. why oh why did I not plan a vocation involving some type of very solitary activity!!??
Posted by alexandra_k on July 11, 2005, at 3:12:22
In reply to WHY???, posted by sleepygirl on July 10, 2005, at 22:54:16
Maybe because you like people.
And you care what they think (which might have something to do with the social anxiety)
???
I'm not sure.
Must make things hard though :-(
Posted by rainbowbrite on July 11, 2005, at 4:12:31
In reply to WHY???, posted by sleepygirl on July 10, 2005, at 22:54:16
maybe because you are an extrovert and somewhere along the way developed social anxiety, which then leads to a sticky situation because extroverts need to rejuvinate while being with people, so if you have social anxiety ....its a catch 22
Posted by sleepygirl on July 11, 2005, at 12:36:20
In reply to Re: WHY??? » sleepygirl, posted by alexandra_k on July 11, 2005, at 3:12:22
yes, I like people sometimes. They just overwhelm me. Unfortunately yes I do care what people think, too much. I was really hesitant to go to work last night, no wonder I called in sick today. Sometimes I just have to withdraw, but I have to take it easy on the sick calls...not too many yet, I think. Wouldn't it be nice if you could just call and say: "Listen, I just really can't handle any social interaction today. I'll have to stay home until I can stand being around people. OK?"
:-)thanks, sleepy
Posted by sleepygirl on July 11, 2005, at 12:43:10
In reply to Re: WHY??? » sleepygirl, posted by rainbowbrite on July 11, 2005, at 4:12:31
Well...I don't really know. I think I might really be an introvert. I've seen home videos of myself as a kid and I was hiding behing trees to avoid the other children. I have progressed just a little beyond that. ...Excuse me this tree is in my way, oh sorry, what was I saying?...oh yeah, I like people though, just at my own pace. I like easy, slow interactions and I sort of deal with these onslaughts of people that totally overwhelm me. Oh well, I'll just have to keep adapting.
:-)thanks, sleepy
Posted by Angela2 on July 11, 2005, at 19:33:45
In reply to WHY???, posted by sleepygirl on July 10, 2005, at 22:54:16
I don't know why. Maybe becuase you like people and want to help them? What do you do Sleepygirl? I am thinking about becoming a library clerk or a librarian. You wouldn't think it, but they deal with people a lot too.
-Angela2
PS-It's nice to have someone else with social anxiety around =D
Posted by alexandra_k on July 11, 2005, at 19:43:36
In reply to Re: WHY??? » sleepygirl, posted by Angela2 on July 11, 2005, at 19:33:45
Oh yes, libraries are wonderful places. I worked in a library round the time when I was just starting to make a move from being a social recluse. Libraries are wonderful places :-)
Nice balance between people contact and not having to talk to people: repeat after me SSSSSSSSSSH!LOL!
Posted by Angela2 on July 11, 2005, at 20:05:17
In reply to Re: WHY??? » Angela2, posted by alexandra_k on July 11, 2005, at 19:43:36
Posted by rainbowbrite on July 11, 2005, at 23:49:29
In reply to : - ) (nm) » alexandra_k, posted by Angela2 on July 11, 2005, at 20:05:17
maybe I should have started a new thread but it seems appropriate here...so for people who are more intoverted, do you find people who talk alot and need to be around people annoying? Im recently really starting to notice differences in people and Im just curious.
Posted by alexandra_k on July 12, 2005, at 0:17:12
In reply to Question, posted by rainbowbrite on July 11, 2005, at 23:49:29
I find some extroverted people who have a tendancy to be loud / screamy bring out a withdrawal response in me.
Not exactly annoying...
Just hard on the ears.
Posted by rainbowbrite on July 12, 2005, at 0:33:43
In reply to Re: Question, posted by alexandra_k on July 12, 2005, at 0:17:12
annoying was the wrong word, but yeah I see that in people too.
Posted by Phillipa on July 12, 2005, at 19:10:41
In reply to Re: Question » alexandra_k, posted by rainbowbrite on July 12, 2005, at 0:33:43
I love helping people that's why I became an Rn. But being home for 8yrs has given me severe social anxiety. Maybe I can get a job just Babbling away. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl on July 12, 2005, at 22:02:53
In reply to Question, posted by rainbowbrite on July 11, 2005, at 23:49:29
It makes me tired. I can only take it in small doses. I have to go recuperate by myself for a while.
-sleepy
Posted by sleepygirl on July 12, 2005, at 22:04:41
In reply to Re: WHY??? » sleepygirl, posted by Angela2 on July 11, 2005, at 19:33:45
I provide therapeutic art activities to the mentally ill and recovering substance abusers :-)
I love it sometimes, when I have enough sanity to share with others
Posted by Angela2 on July 13, 2005, at 12:55:22
In reply to Re: WHY???, posted by sleepygirl on July 12, 2005, at 22:04:41
Wow that sounds so cool. You must like art and helping people to do a job like that. It sounds like you are under a lot of stress right now. My job can be *really* stressful at times too, especially if I'm feeling neurotic or emotional. I hope things start looking up for you soon.
-Angela2
Posted by sleepygirl on July 13, 2005, at 15:25:29
In reply to Re: WHY???, posted by Angela2 on July 13, 2005, at 12:55:22
yes I love art, looking at it, making it, watching other people make it, listening to them talk about it, all that... I think I really have to take really good care of myself, I like to think it isn't necessary, but I'm afraid it is. What do you do?
Posted by Angela2 on July 13, 2005, at 20:57:14
In reply to Re: WHY??? » Angela2, posted by sleepygirl on July 13, 2005, at 15:25:29
Take care of yourself in what way? like your health? My interests range from a multitude of things. I work in a library, which I like very much on my good days and kind of dislike on my bad days. My bad days don't last long though, I think the medication is helping with that. I have been interested in art for a long time now. I am trying to get into an art show as we speak. But it is just a hobby. What I really want to do is teach people, adults and children something that I know that they don't already know. That's what I like about the library. People come to you with questions and you get to answer them. Help them out. I may go back to school, but that is a while down the road from now. Right now I'm doing volunteer work and keeping up at my job. The thing about being a teacher or a librarian that scares me is that I would have to hold classes. In graduate school I would probably have to give speeches. And that is not something I am willing to do right now. I don't know. Maybe there is a way I can get around it. I sure hope so. btw, I'm 22. You asked in one of your posts to me. How old are you?? I hope that's not rude of me to ask.
Take care and ttyl.
-Angela2
Posted by sleepygirl on July 14, 2005, at 19:09:49
In reply to Re: WHY???, posted by Angela2 on July 13, 2005, at 20:57:14
Take care of yourself in what way? like your health?
I forget sometimes to spend time doing things I like or for me. I've expended lots of energy hoping to make money doing something I'd like, and I guess in a way it worked. I won't kid you though, it's been seriously difficult. I've carried ridiculous amounts of anxiety through my life.
Going through school, I used to exercise a lot, I made sure I took that time. Since then though I don't take that time, to exercise, to do things I like (no more fun classes) so I've gained a lot of weight and a lot of self doubt about my not being able to handle what other "more normal" people might not have a problem with.
I used to have a lot of problems speaking in public, still do in fact, but less (and I have spent thousands of hours now doing just that-my goodness!!!) It somehow gets easier. I took a couple of speech classes, and yes, had lots of presentations in grad school, and I try to remember that it won't make or break me-I will live on to fight another day. I sometimes go on a bit of an automatic pilot and I just keep talking-I'm told I still speak in English. This has been seriously difficult, and this is the reason for the WHY??? post. On some days I can't believe I do what I do. Honestly I think I just try to focus more on the other people in the room to distract me from myself (and they are usually worse off than me). It also helps to like what you're talking about, and a sense of humor definitely does not hurt. What I hope is that I don't miss out on things because I'm too scared. Sorry if I've said too much about this, it's a big struggle. I don't underestimate the fear, I hope it won't get in your way too much, and I wish you much comfort too. It's hard to manage sometimes with social anxiety. BTW I'm 30. It's not rude to ask, but I do wish I was younger :-) Good luck with the art show!!
-sleepy
Posted by Angela2 on July 15, 2005, at 23:59:22
In reply to Re: WHY???, posted by sleepygirl on July 14, 2005, at 19:09:49
That's wonderful you haven't let social anxiety get in the way of public speaking. It has gotten in the way for me. I don't know what else to say. I'm on too many drugs, they make me unmotivated and dead. But I am able to live my life. I think I am too self absorbed and need to start caring more for other people. Sometimes it's difficult to judge what is important to think about myself and a particular situation. Do you like your job? Or has it become a hastle? I am supposed to exercise every day bc of a health condition, but don't exactly adhere strictly to it. I want to start losing weight. My hips are too big =P I don't really do the kind of exercise where you lose weight I just go for walks. Have a nice night. ttyl.
-A2
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