Greetings

[Slammer]

Hi there. 21 year old who struggles with crippling anxiety. I was diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder. Being around other people makes me so uncomfortable that I can't think. I'm practically a mute.

I've had a job as a busboy for about a month now after a long period of unemployment. I dread going in to work. I can rarely keep a job for more than a few months. Eventually the stress gets to me and I can't take it anymore. Every time someone looks at me my stress levels go through the roof, and if, god forbid, they try to make conversation with me I practically have a meltdown.

I've never met someone as quiet and anxious as me. It would be nice to know that I'm not the only one out there thats this fucked up.

[JustaGal]

Hi there. 21 year old who struggles with crippling anxiety. I was diagnosed with avoidant personality disorder. Being around other people makes me so uncomfortable that I can't think. I'm practically a mute.

I've had a job as a busboy for about a month now after a long period of unemployment. I dread going in to work. I can rarely keep a job for more than a few months. Eventually the stress gets to me and I can't take it anymore. Every time someone looks at me my stress levels go through the roof, and if, god forbid, they try to make conversation with me I practically have a meltdown.

I've never met someone as quiet and anxious as me. It would be nice to know that I'm not the only one out there thats this fucked up.

You are not alone. Are you taking meds?

[Slammer]

Thanks and no, not currently. I was on ssri's for years but they never did anything for my anxiety.

[Ryker]

Hi Slammer and welcome.

Trust me, any degree of fuckedupness that you can bring to the table here can probably be matched over and over again.

Feeling that you're that bad and it couldn't be worse is the nastiest side effect of this anxiety disorder business. We see the problems and forget to be honest about all the things we can do well.

I've been the same as you when I was your age, and I've employed many great people who struggle in exactly the same way.

Have a read through the posts on the site from over the years and see you're not alone. It's all about taking charge and learning to develop your own voice and your own assertiveness. With them, your confidence will grow I'm sure.

Look forward to seeing you around.

[JustaGal]

Thanks and no, not currently. I was on ssri's for years but they never did anything for my anxiety.

I would consider a benzo for short term or the non-addictive Buspar. I know benzo's have been demonized by some, but I have preferred that to being paralyzed with anxiety. Especially if you can not hold down a job. I also have lost jobs from my anxiety. I have found with the right med I am able to do the other work necessary to overcome, such as correcting negative thoughts, eating right, etc.

: ) There is hope