Social Anxiety/ Avoidant Personality Disorder

Here is another social anxiety video. I'd like to raise some awareness of what it's like, but also note that I only speak on behalf of myself and no one else in this video. People's symptoms and severity vary and it's not up to armchair psychologists to decide these things. I want to raise awareness because besically in my daily life I feel like I cannot talk about it and I especially cannot use it to even try to explain my behaviour for fear of not being taken seriously.

When it comes to youtubers, I am happy to discuss the validity of my diagnosis and whether or not it is considered an acceptable disability or I am just making excuses for being a social retard. I am happy to be open with people I don't know. But I care if my supervisors at work were to tell me that, or workmates, friends or even just people that might say hi to me as I pass by or the people I raid with on WoW. In fact, I feel like I must not tell them at all. They must not see any anxiety from me. Or any negative emotion. Or Else.

I also want to break down the idea that we're all the same and should behave a cirtain way. It all boils down to feelings and thoughts which you can't know for sure. For example, somebody with social anxiety is not always shy. They do have friends. They do go out and are not always anxious about everything. Very strange, but for me, I am probably less afraid of public speaking then the average person. But asking someone for something.... it cannot be done. I often don't even go to the doctor when I need to, and in the case of mental health, tend to go when I am feeling better.

Also, my diagnosis is social anxiety disorder, not avoidant personality disorder (AvPD). I thought about it a bit, and this video almost looks like I am trying to diagnose myself in it. I wanted to talk about what it's like and I used those symptoms as prompts. The criteria for social anxiety disorder are not as 'specific' as those for AvPD.

Comparison between social anxiety disorder and AvPD:
http://www.anxietyhelp.org/information/avpd_vs_sad.html

Forum for those with AvPD: reticence.us

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• nervousneuron
• social anxiety disorder
• avoidant personalty
• AvPD
• psychology
• mental
• illness
• health
• stress
• what is phobia
• depression
• what is social anxiety

[D3THFAN]

I'm convinced that there is a certain point at which social anxiety is irreversible and will be a lifelong source of loneliness, depression, and ineptitude.

[nervousneuron]

@D3THFAN

While I'd agree about the irreversible part, I don't think it will be lifelong depression, etc. You can learn to adapt. Treatments work differently for different people. Some people can use cognitive behaviour therapy to fight their own thoughts and almost recover, while others become housebound for fear of having to meet somebody.

I personally don't think I will not have social anxiety, but will overcome specific problems.

[DoYouReadSutterCane]

Are... are you secretly me, except as an attractive girl? I mean while I've never been diagnosed with anything, I noticed that significant portions of this video described my social experiences. I mean it was kinda freaky how similar I am when it comes to certain things you talked about in this video.

btw you just gained at least 1 more subscriber from this video.

[nervousneuron]

@DoYouReadSutterCane

Actually I might add, being socially anxious is quite common and considered healthy. Eg. many people are afraid to give a public presentation and most people are afraid of being embarrassed. Some people are introverts and that's it! It becomes a mental illness when its starts interfering with your life. A lot of people are undiagnosed because if your country has crap healthcare, it can cost a lot to get that shit diagnosed.

[MrSupasexi]

@nervousneuron get the linden method. social anxiety is not a mental illness.

[nervousneuron]

@MrSupasexi

Yes, but social anxiety disorder, or social phobia is a mental illness. Unless you want to get philosophical about what a mental illness is or what defines disability. I won't say much about the linden method, but the marketing is worse than big pharma imo.

[AllstarHunE]

i love your accent, British accent is so cute : ))

[PuddiNovaXZ]

Out of 17 minutes I processed in 3 bc of her pauses..... were you nervous?

[ladulcemusica]

You are very brave. Perhaps you might feel more comfortable asking for references through email, so that it does not have to occur face to face? I am often intimidated by asking for my needs to be met by people i admire (although I do not have DD). I studying to be a clinical therapist, and I commend you for your openness! You are helping a lot of people by sharing your experience. PS you are correct- SAD and AvPD are basically issue of severity. AvPD is more severe & larger symptom range.: )

[MrSupasexi]

@nervousneuron well considering the linden method actually does what it says im going to listen to them lol. all these doctors who call social anxiety a "mental illness" arent helping anybody at all with their methods. btw when you tell somebody who has social anxiety they have a mental illness youre just perpetuating their anxiety lol

[noodle92993]

I laughed when you were like "basically, I'm not an asshole"...

I don't have a psychiatrist, although I might think of seeing one because for a while I think I've had avoidance personality disorder or some sort of social disorder. This was a good video, very good at clarifying what everything was.

[armrdsoul77]

You are awesome.

[Renitamac]

YOu seem quite nce enough, but I have no idea what you're saying. You have a thick accent. Nothing wrong with that, just I can't understand.