I have been living with social anxiety for the whole of my life. In the beginning, there were distinct periods of feeling bettter and feeling worse. Now I struggle to remember what better feels like. Maybe in the early days I had the hope it would go away, or had the capacity to cope with it, or at least it didn't seem as crippling as it is now. As I've progressed through life, I've become more aware of the opportunities anxiety has taken away from me. I think this makes me feel worse and is slowly making me forget what normal feels like. I feel like I'm a passenger watching opportunities pass me by. I'm aware of the negative effect it's having on my life in real time, but seemingly unable to do anything about it. In my head I know how irrational the thoughts I have are, but for some reason I'm unable to use this knowledge to make them go away. It's so frustrating to be crippled by something that you know is irrational but can't resolve. I just want to feel normal again.
Hi Gavin, you are not alone. I feel exactly the same. I know how stupid my thoughts, how irrational but cant stop them from rushing and causing me anxiety. Its overwhelming. Especially over night time. Lately I cant sleep, cant think straight. Its so frustrating....
Thanks for replying. Just now I watched a video explaining what's occurring. It all makes so much sense, so logical and therefore so easy to overcome, only it isn't. I have trouble sleeping too, but you mentioning sleep did remind me, the only time I feel relatively normal is in the morning. Something I lose sleep about all night seems so much better in the morning. I guess that's the difference when the mind does actually slow down when you get a chance to sleep. I'm on mediciation which helps generally, but equally takes away some emotion adding to the feeling of not feeling normal.
Hey Gavin
I feel like you too. I live with regret it k***s me inside. I'm sometimes on the brink. Have you heard the song, "demons." It's by Imagine Dragons I like it. Some music brings life to the way you feel. Hope you get better. Dont waste time try to push yourself. Little by little.👍I feel exactly the same way but I regret all my existence. I was too focused on others. Anxiety makes us over think everything and self doubt ourselves. Bit it's not true. You can do it!🙌 Your mind is lying too you. I'm 24 btw.