Can a therapist HELP me.. become happy?

Question

I went to the doctor for Fatigue and Anxiety and he's very non-chalant about my anxiety. I told the youth worker at school about it and she tells me the same, telling me everyone has social anxiety and ill grow out of it. This is the first time I've ever admitted it this to anyone and I am very discouraged. I stay in my apartment and sleep all the time. I avoid school/people for weeks, I've tried self help books, forcing myself to go out in social situations, gotten jobs but I shut down and become depressed.. I live with a mentally unstable mother and she is just reinforcing my ugliness. I've been told that I am socially awkward, painfully shy, slow, weird.. ETC. I have two friends who love me.. they think I'm beautiful and cute and funny but I fake my happiness for them cause I dont want to lose them. They are starting to pick up on my depression and I'm scared I'm gonna do something stupid.. I dont usually whine but I am desperate.. Why.. am I like this?

Answer 1

OK, since you feel that your friends are beginning to catch on that all is not well you might want to confide in them about what's going on with you.  If they are really friends they will stick by you through thick and thin.  Don't worry about saying/doing something stupid since you clearly are not stupid; and besides that, we all do stupid things in our lives.  Friends don't get twisted out of shape or turned off because we sometimes mess up.  They mess up too.  

It would be very wise for you to seek some professional counseling from a therapist or from a clergyperson (if that's part of your life).  Do not let your mother's words get under your skin.  She may not fully understand what kinds of messages she's giving you here.  Don't buy into all that negative stuff.  From what you say here it seems you have more on the ball than you given yourself credit for.

Answer 2

There's no TRUE cure to make everything go away..but talk to your doctor about prescribing you Xanax. It should really help that anxiety. It makes you not feel worried about anything. My boyfriend has the same problem. He takes it, and he's a lot better. He also goes to therapy once a week, but he says it's not helping so I'm not sure if a therapist can help. If you're the type of person who likes to vent..then go and give it a try..but if you're a person who likes to keep things to yourself...I don't actually suggest a therapist. And as for your 2 friends: they care about you. You should let them know what's going on. My boyfriend and I had many probs at the beginning of our relationship because he kept things from me..and I could sense it. After he told me, I wanted to be there for him more and he always tells me it's really nice to have someone who he really knows cares about him to listen to whatever is going through his mind and be there for him. He says it's much better than therapy-because he doesn't feel as comfortable telling his therapist things. As for a reason as to why you're like that: I'm still trying to figure out why my boyfriend is like that...every time i've ever brought it up..he's told me that he was just practically born with it. Had it for the past 19 years. As for a recommendation as to what to do: Try out Xanax, try therapy if you feel like you really need it, or try talking to people close to you about what you're going through, and maybe try exercising..it always tends to make me happier. Hope some of this helps.

Answer 3

Extreme social anxiety is not normal. See a therapist. They will help you find the source of your anxiety, which is something they can help you work through. If they can't do that, they will recognize that there might be a chemical imbalance in your brain. It doesn't mean you're a nut case, it just means that your brain processes things differently, and there are medications that help regulate it and help you feel better. Medications don't mean you're crazy, they help you live life to the fullest.