Hi from another newbie

[chris]

Hi my name is Chris and I have recently been suffering from anxiety and depression casued over the last 2 years by work problems. Although I am now some what better the process has helped me admit (to myself having always ignored it before) that I have always suffered from varying degrees of SA. I have always been unable to make friends and form relationships easily. At my best I get very anxious before meeting new people and at worst my "barrier" comes down and stops me from socialising at all.

I have just started a three week CBT course but at the moment find it hard to see how that will help me overcome my SA and enable me to meet new people.

I have read quite a few of the posts on this site and that has helped me understand that there are lots of other people out there who suffer form similar problems.

I know that this the start of my quest to understand my problems and to try to get to a situation where I can control it rather than it controlling me.

I look forward to reading your comments.

[Dreaming]

hey there, welcome to the forum. Looking forward to chatting with you

[stresspuppy]

Hi Chris, Welcome to the forum and it sounds as if your on-track to understanding more about your anxiety, the CBT may help with this by helping you to discover where your anxieties originate from and how anxious feelings are maintained. The CBT approach isn't for everyone and it can also depend on how well it's explained and where you're at.

Any approach you try ultimately endeavours to achieve the 'management' of your own particular anxiety and it sounds as if you're off to a good start 

I know that this the start of my quest to understand my problems and to try to get to a situation where I can control it rather than it controlling me.

Enjoy using the forum and when ready you might want to try one of the meets? They're friendly and informal and there is no pressure to contribute and you can just come along and listen if you want. 

[neddy]

hi new myself.recently lost my job and find myself unemployed,for the very first time.had allotof knockbacks in my life.but ive allways managed to pick myself up.loosing my job has been the last straw,its like the last bit of confidence has oosed out of me and like you suspect ive prob had an anxiety problem for a long while.but this is awfull,cant even go shopping,shake that much and cant wait to get home.was thinking of having cbt,can you let us no how it goes.good luck xx

[stresspuppy]

Hi Neddy, Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about the job loss and know how it can affect people - I was made redundant 4/5 times and well it's not a good place to be. Things can change and although it might seem like your world has caved in right now maybe it's the opportunity to address your anxiety and build your confidence back up. This might sound trite, odd or just not what you want to hear BUT - it's not all about work and I don't think I'm ever going to go back to a full time job - I've a much better appreciation for aiming for the work-life balance and it's taken years to come to this astoundingly common-sense conclusion  - so much focus is on work and money that I think it skews other important values.

Perhaps attending a meet and meeting other people in similar situations might help? the meets and events section details where we meet and when and also any last minute changes etc