Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

I Have Social Anxiety

I have a question of curiosity, if I may? Do you find it easier, harder or about the same to interact behind the keyboard with social anxiety? Besides the challenges that come with leaving the house and social environments, I find that, as irrational as it sounds, even behind the keyboard I get highly anxious. I am not one who believes my opinion should be heard on everything that comes along anyway, but it still feels like I am in a room with a million people even on social media! I do much better in one on one conversations, it just feels safer.
Dionysus · 41-45, F
I'm the exact same way! I still feel shy even on my own Facebook. It's annoying
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Dionysus Thank you, I do too! It's very annoying because it sounds so irrational..ahhh🤪
Freetime · 56-60, M
I do find it easier to interact from behind the keyboard. I think I feel more of a sense of control in a way, so I'm more willing to reach out to others. I very much understand what you're saying though. Anxiety is still there for me too. One-on-one is definitely easier.
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Freetime Thank you! I like your outlook of interacting in spite of the feeling of anxiety. I suppose that is what it takes to eventually feel that sense of control.
CrazyMusicLover · 31-35
Behind the keyboard, I would call it rather overexcited than anxious. I can panic when someone attacks me but it's much easier to find the ground under my feet than when I am verbally attacked in real life.

Sites like this don't stress me much, it's dealing with more serious things through emails that gives me anxiety.
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@CrazyMusicLover Thank you, yes I have heard it said that excitement feels much like anxiety. Would you say it is easier to view it as over excitement vs. anxiety?
CrazyMusicLover · 31-35
@Ladyred I think it's easier to view it as over-excitement because anxiety feels differently to me. Anxiety relates to something I have to do and I feel real danger of either failing my task or humiliating myself (when I start crying in public, for example). Since there's no one who knows about my physical responses on the internet, I usually don't feel truly anxious unless I do something that could affect my life offline. For example, when I published a photo of my face for the first time and few hour later I panicked that someone could misuse it. So I took it down.

There's nothing I have to do on the site like this so unless I share too much about myself or somebody hit my Achilles heel I don't feel that kind of anxiety.

Shyness, that's something else. That's why I never send PM first. If I would do that, maybe it would trigger anxiety too. Who knows, I never tried and never actually felt the need. 😁
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@CrazyMusicLover Thank you for sharing that with us! I find it interesting, because for me it is the opposite. I suppose because I have had more practice at PM's since it is my preferred method, but I don't get bothered if I don't get a reply or someone decides to ghost.

I do agree though. I keep most things very private for the same reason. I just don't get the need to share every detail of your personal life with the internet. I much prefer real one on one face time for sharing details of ones life.
SW-User
I am just as anxious online..When I write a story, instead of waiting hopefully and excitedly for a comment, I literally have to work up the will to click on the notifications..I wasn’t this bad when I first came here, but a few bad experiences have made me very anxious online..It is the same when I answer a question or comment on a story..I am always waiting for the rare person that will jump down my throat and dance on my tonsils..😔
I can completely relate with it
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@StrugglingSoul Thank you!
Bebop · 31-35, M
Yeah i know what that's like. You've just gotta develop an attitude of not caring, most people aren't paying attention to you as they're probably feeling the same/in their own world.

Well it's better than having verbal tourettes and shit posting every 30 minutes ✌
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Bebop So true! I just keep practicing, and thank you!
SW-User
I struggle with this too. I prefer one on one, yet that is a struggle at the beginning too. I guess I feel the pressure of: Will they like me? Am I communicating clearly? Did I state that opinion too strongly? Ohhh god was that tmi?! Etc....
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@SW-User Haha, yes! I so relate and thank you.
Dolimyte · 41-45, M
I understand that. I say whatever I feel like online, but this is the only site I use, and I'm anonymous. I avoid facebook because of what you just described.
Ladyred · 46-50, F
@Dolimyte Thank you, and me too. It does seem to be a little easier here.
Ive been using websites like this for some years and while in some was espically when there is confrontation my anxiety may start rearing its head i feel Much more comfortable talking anonymously online.

 
Post Comment