Social Anxiety/Generalized Anxiety

I am a 20 yr old gay man with social anxiety/generalized anxiety disorder. Have been a loner, doctor just put me on 30mg Buspar. Very lonely but I don't like it!! I hope it works.

Anyone on here also have any anxiety disorders? Interested to know.

Ride, walk, swim, do something, sweetie. It will be amazing how it helps.

I had talk therapy from 97-98. I mostly now try to control it with exercise and I now socialize in small groups. I stopped trying to make myself fit in to large groups where I'm likely to feel overwhelmed instead of engaged. I also got very comfortable going places on my own: movies, eating out, flea market, etc. Going alone, they all provide great ways to meet people in very nonthreatening ways.

I still have days where I feel very shy, but I know it will pass.

verbally in groups of people that I'm not very familiar with. I had about one therapy session, and never went back, so I deal with it in my own way. Probably not the best way, but I like to avoid my problems I guess.

but anxiety and depression grew from it. Logical and obvious; since I (even to this day) still have difficulty in understanding verbal and nonverbal language and social cues. But that does not mean our situations are identical; not in the slightest.

I am nearly 35, still single, utterly and eternally lonely, have survived lots of forms of hell (the worst of which being failed suicide attempts), and I still chug along onward.

And so can you; survive.

As for my sexuality, I don't think it matters or is relevant. I can't get a date from either side, so I put the concept to the side. It's not my struggle anymore and you can either remain lonely for the rest of your life or submit to your status and get on with life as a self-contained entity with that much less angst over being alone. The desires always remain; but they always get put in their place. The sad truth is, not everybody finds somebody and being worried about being alone doesn't do you any good. And it isn't easy to contain said emotions either. But we've got to do it. And it makes us stronger.

In theory.

I was a teacher for an child with Asperger's Syndrome.

One of the brightest children I've ever known.

He did face an uphill battle for understanding.
He had a very supportive Mom who always stood with him.

She's 14 and was just diagnosed with GAD and OCD. She's not on meds but is going to cognitive-behavioral therapy, which I'm told is a great treatment for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders. She'd only been to a few sessions so we're not sure yet whether it's beginning to help.

They say I have avoidant personality disorder because it's so bad. Where I live, people actually congregate and socialize in the aisles at grocery stores. Every time I go, I will avoid an entire aisle because I hate to get mixed in with that many people at once. "That many people" is usually 2 or 3. My anxiety about people is that bad.

or other encounters. People or events. Stage fright?
I avoid the big crowds. I go on weekdays. I don't go to the big festival, usually, I go on an off time, when there are very few people there.
But, anytime, anyplace I go, I endeavor to talk to any and everybody.
Many people don't respond, or nod, or snort, no more.
But others talk as if we were old friends, for long periods.
Depending on the situation.
What to say? Just say anything. A nice comment. Nice shoes, nice dress, etc. That is always a good one, any compliment, people usually eat that up.
But I experiment. Something intelligent, observant, or a little funny barb.
One day, restaurant line at Koo Koo Roo. Nice slim young lady. Tall leather boots. She avoids eye contact with me. (Too old?)
So I say nice boots. Thank you she says without looking.
Ok. Ah, but they look like pirate boots, says I.
No they're not! She snaps, but nicely.
Ok. I tried.
I had my fun.
So go for it.
dc