Old habits die hard. My fear of people is as bad now as it ever was. Last night i spent a terrifying
hour trying to get out of Tesco’s.I went in for a sandwich and literally everywhere i turned there
were people. I kept still waiting till they passed me because i can’t bare it. Then i tried to work out which aisles i was safest to go down where hopefully nobody would be there. It took me a whole hour to get out of that shop terrifying.
Will it help if you go out only when you have a purpose? I think this will help to focus your attention, and lessen the distraction by strangers or at least no time for self-consciousness.
I have a fear of people as well…not as bad now as yours sounds but I’ve been there. At one point during my reclusive phase I couldn’t stand in the checkout line at the supermarket without my forehead dripping sweat and if someone tried to make conversation I’d feel under attack and get out of there as soon as possible.
Nowadays I’m better than I was then but it’s still pretty bad. I still feel threatened when most people try and make conversation…that is still an issue. I’m still just as awkward as ever but the difference is I’m not reading into these situations anymore…not overthinking it. If I still feel leaving somewhere that I came off as awkward I simply shrug it off.
I feared and felt uncomfortable in society long before my onset of Sz though…it is probably entirely unrelated for me anyway. I’m an extremely sensitive person. I don’t mean I take offense easily or cry often…not the case by any stretch…I’m just very sensitive and thus easily overwhelmed by the kind of stress and stimuli that is the norm out there in the greater world.
Why exactly I feel threatened by people is another matter though…many reasons rather than one simple reason. I still do a lot of avoiding as well. If I can avoid something I will find a way to do that but it’s much less these days…I’ve done public speaking and well everything…it just doesn’t get any less scary for me. I can’t stand when people assume because you have social phobia that you just haven’t come out of your shell yet. This is not always the case…
Here’s hoping that you can come to terms with these fears in some way.
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Maybe u could go out to shops early in morning
I mostly do go out with a specific purpose, but people and peoples confidence frightens me, and puts me off track.
That’s what I take zyprexa for.
people don’t faze me as much as men used to. exposure is the key i think. the more u face ur fears the easier it becomes. i’ve been a lot better since i stopped smoking dope years ago. that ■■■■ used to make me paranoid. i was also super paranoid during psychoses but not anymore xxx
You are avoiding people on the internets.
Avante garde, the irony is destroying my will and sanity it is so thick, it’s like four coats of it in this place.
When i go into the sandwhich shop my ears begin to bleed and the music makes me think ill get a tumor from hearing it, it’s just so bad and stupid usually. But hey! When you need a meatball sandwhich you need a meatball sandwhich am i right?!