could anybody possibly help me with something? :)

[chocolatebuttons]

Hi, I just needed some advice, as I am not sure if I am suffering from an anxiety disorder, or if I am just overreacting about things. I am 16, I am actually very happy, and when I am with my friends, I am very confident and outgoing, such as at school, I would just be myself, and not care about anything. However, if I was on my own in a situation, such as shopping, I would feel overly under confident and have an intense fear that I am being judged. This ultimately makes me feel very anxious, and I start to feel some physical sensations, such as hot flushes. Also, as I mentioned briefly earlier, I have lots of friends, and am completely fine and worry free around them, however I dislike going for meals with them, or anyone, as I have a fear of being judged by the people around me, also such as when I am shopping. I even am very fearful about getting drunk, in case something bad will happen, (i guess you could call me sensible? :P) and I dread these types of social situations! But I really want to be able to enjoy these situations, instead of dread them!!! I enjoy things such as going round to friends houses, and I really like being at school . However, any situation at school where I have to perform, even in science experiments, I get completely overwhelmed and cannot cope, I just feel as though I can’t do it, and I am being judged and will make a fool out of myself. I have noticed though my anxiety is increased if I am around a person/people that I like (not in a fancying type of way ;]) because I guess I want them to like me back. I think I have quite low self esteem, and always like to be reassured. But I can’t get a job or anything, as I am too fearful of not being able to do it, and being judged, such as serving people, that would cause extreme anxiety for me, as I would think the customer is judging me. I think am a very anxious person, and am receiving help for this, I haven’t actually been diagnosed with anything, which I think is the reason I am so confused about this. Also, I always thought people with social anxiety were always very shy, and didn’t have many friends etc. So what I don’t understand is, do I have social anxiety? Or am I overreacting? Any advice would be great, thanks,  sorry for the massive essay!

[alankay]

Buttons, yes you might have it but at the age you're at right now it's common to be very awkward, self conscious ,etc, for many anyway.
Around your circle of friends you see yourself as part of a known group so no problem.
If you feel this is really interrupting your life and counseling has not helped despite working on it for a while, talk with your Family Doc. He might give you a low dose for a trial of say 6 months of fluoxetine(low dose like 10mgs) which has helped my and others as it made me a bit less self conscious and more comfy in these situations. Just a thought. Alankay.

[chocolatebuttons]

thankyou for the response - I know many people suffer from being self concious and things at this age, the problem is I have been suffering from this for aslong as I can remember really, only very recently I have noticed it was gradually getting worse, which is why I seeked help.
& because people, like my friends, have been telling me my feelings are normal if you like, I have just been thinking I have been being silly about this, but it is that infacet making things a lot worse, as it makes me even more self concious because I think I am being a drama queen! & I also think that is maybe why I am not progressing as well as I would have liked with the counselling, because I am kidding myself that this is the normal way to be.

But thankyou, I will consider your advice, and see the family doctor if I am still feeling as though I am not getting anywhere in a couple of months time or so.

Thankyou

[Notelets]

I was exactly the same at 16! Really happy and confident and social but I could never go anywhere on my own because I would be really anxious! Thing is though i do have an anxiety disorder but, like you said, I didn't really notice it at 16 because I thought it was normal to be self concious and stuff at that age because or growing up and what not. But I wish I'd realised it sooner because it did get worse as I got older and I think it may have been because I left it too long, so its good you're asking this question now! I think it would be good for you to leave it a few months then see how you are and even if you go to the docs and they say it's just your age or something it's always good to get some advice :) hope this helps