Anxious around people

LP · March 13, 2016, 2:30pm

Re: Anxious around people

I am an extremely introverted person. I am almost agoraphobic. I go to great lengths to avoid any interaction with people, even with family. It really drains my energy to be around with anyone and I feel extremely anxious too. It has been a huge problem since I got married. I have not been able to open myself up to my inlaws at all. I find myself constantly hiding from them. We don’t have any conflicts at home and they are very kind and friendly. I constantly worry about what they think of me and I am on edge pretty much all the damn time. I fear they find me intimidating and odd. All I crave is some place where no one can see me and this is not really possible. I have never even had friends. I find it very difficult to hold small conversations. I cannot make eye contact when I am talking and if I do, it’s a really really strange and creepy feeling. The only person I have ever opened up to is my husband and I have known him since I was eighteen. I feel like I can’t go on living like this for the rest of my life. I have been treated for anxiety but it has not worked. I am really f****** annoyed all the time. So how do you introverted people deal with social interactions?

On top of all of this, my husband doesn’t understand any of this. He thinks I just need to be kind and have a smile on my face all the time. What the f*** does that even mean?

I’m like you too ,except around my immediate family. My parents ask me to interact with others. I smile and respond to whatever is being asked when I’m forced to sit around people, and add in a few general statements so they don’t feel it to be a one sided convo,but that drains me. I always get a headache just by sitting with people.
It’s okay as long as you are not being aloof to the point of rudeness. Eye contact is the worst.
When you have to interact with people..smile , respond to whatever is being asked ,add in a few general statements, If they have kids, compliment their kids( parents love that) and you are good to go .
As for your husband, it is not something he will understand unless he has gone through it, but he can accept it. Go for couple’s counselling once and bring it up. He might be more accepting if the psychologist tells him that it a real thing you go through.