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Old 02-11-2011, 07:09 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,556,858 times
Reputation: 401

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I've always been shy, but lately I've been wondering if I have something I need help for. In elementary school, I was shy but managed to have good friends, but in junior high school, when I went to a school away from elementary friends, I didn't make any new friends. I would sit in the library by myself during lunch, and it did not get better. I almost never talk to people unless they talk to me, and I'm always afraid that people are judging me. I've never been on a date, because I'm too afraid to ask a girl out. People seem to like me well enough, but when they talk to me, I end the conversation as soon as possible because I feel so nervous. I have decent social skills when with my few good friends. I read that this might be social anxiety, so I was wondering, do my symptoms sound severe enough to warrant a trip to a psychologist? Thank you.
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:16 PM
 
711 posts, read 1,508,304 times
Reputation: 740
YES..You can commit urself u know. Congratulations on recognizing it so that u can do something about it and improve your quality of life. Good luck
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:17 PM
 
Location: In a house
13,250 posts, read 42,680,317 times
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You might just have a lack of self-esteem and low self confidence. Not sure why you'd want to see a psychiatrist for that - they're the ones you go to if you need to have medication prescribed for psychiatric illnesses. You might be better off just taking a public speaking course, or even just getting a part time retail job where your -job- is talking to people. It's a down and dirty method of learning HOW to talk to people - by being thrust into the position and told "be nice, and get paid."
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:26 PM
 
5,546 posts, read 9,976,136 times
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There is a difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist/therapist. The first is an MD who can prescribe meds for social anxiety disorder. The latter cannot. Perhaps you could start off with a therapist and, if recommended, progress to a shrink. Hard to tell. Generally, PCPs are not well versed in this stuff, so stay on the mental health track.
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:40 PM
 
5,546 posts, read 9,976,136 times
Reputation: 2799
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnonChick View Post
You might just have a lack of self-esteem and low self confidence. Not sure why you'd want to see a psychiatrist for that - they're the ones you go to if you need to have medication prescribed for psychiatric illnesses. You might be better off just taking a public speaking course, or even just getting a part time retail job where your -job- is talking to people. It's a down and dirty method of learning HOW to talk to people - by being thrust into the position and told "be nice, and get paid."
Social anxiety has a place in the DSM IV. I suggest you research it.

Or better yet, since I am so well versed in this and it takes me five seconds to find it, here you go...

http://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/dsm.html
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:43 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,556,858 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by mistygrl092 View Post
There is a difference between a psychiatrist and psychologist/therapist. The first is an MD who can prescribe meds for social anxiety disorder. The latter cannot. Perhaps you could start off with a therapist and, if recommended, progress to a shrink. Hard to tell. Generally, PCPs are not well versed in this stuff, so stay on the mental health track.
Excuse my ignorance, but what is a PCP?
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:45 PM
 
3,769 posts, read 8,772,492 times
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Agree with other poster - yes - you should see a psychologist, what you describe doesnt seem to require a psychiatrist.
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:48 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,556,858 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by StilltheSame View Post
Agree with other poster - yes - you should see a psychologist, what you describe doesnt seem to require a psychiatrist.
I really didn't understand the difference between the two. I just meant should I see SOMEONE. Though your ideas are very helpful, just explaining that I just meant should I see any type of mental health worker.
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:51 PM
 
Location: In a house
13,250 posts, read 42,680,317 times
Reputation: 20198
Seeing a therapist wouldn't hurt - but you've already said you are capable of having friends, and have had friends, and people seem to like you, but you are shy. This sounds a whole lot more to me like just a lack of self-confidence and not an actual clinical disorder that needs to be treated. I realize there is such a thing as a social anxiety disorder, but what you are describing, doesn't sound like you have a disorder. It sounds like just common variety "I'm shy and need someone to give me a boost so I can assert myself more." And for that, public speaking classes are very effective.
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Old 02-11-2011, 07:55 PM
 
Location: You Ta Zhou
866 posts, read 1,556,858 times
Reputation: 401
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnonChick View Post
Seeing a therapist wouldn't hurt - but you've already said you are capable of having friends, and have had friends, and people seem to like you, but you are shy. This sounds a whole lot more to me like just a lack of self-confidence and not an actual clinical disorder that needs to be treated. I realize there is such a thing as a social anxiety disorder, but what you are describing, doesn't sound like you have a disorder. It sounds like just common variety "I'm shy and need someone to give me a boost so I can assert myself more." And for that, public speaking classes are very effective.
I'm not sure, the social anxiety seems very like what I have. One thing, though, I'm actually a good public speaker, as long as I'm prepared.
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