I have Social Anxiety and Depression where do i turn?

Question

Im 17 now i had depression a few months ago and seen a counceler through the doctor and took medication then i got better. Now its coming back and i realised i have social anxiety because i feel like i cant go anywhere because im soooooooo shy and now its making me depressed again. I dont no what to do i told my mum but shes ill her self shes exactly the same and doesnt support me atall. I think the atmosphere at home with my mum makes it worse. My boyfriend doesnt no what to do he doesnt understand it and i have no friends to help me because im just so shy. I really want a job but im way to nervous for that. PLEASE HELP :)

Answer 1

I'm in the same boat. I was 19 when I first found out I had an anxiety disorder which gave me agoraphobia and social anxiety leading to depression. All I can so is I'm so happy to hear that counceling and medication helped you because I'm still on the verge of recovery but it's been postponed due to me being pregnant (which by the way makes everything worse!) If counceling and medication helped you before I would suggest going back that route first, if that doesnt help there are other options that supposedley help such as exercise, eating certain foods and what not. I have this book that is a guide for women and it has anxiety in there and there are certain herbs you can take to help calm you. One is St. John's Warts I believe and I've heard good stuff about it. I can't try it until I have my baby but you could give that a try. I was very shy too when I wasn't around people I knew which should have been my first sign, and it was very hard for me to make friends because I avoided it. Just keep your head up and if your mom won't help you I'm sure someone else you trust can take you to the doctor and get you back on track again!!:) Good luck!

Answer 2

It would be injust for my to not share my experiences with you.

I used to be the same.

I had a friend & he told me that life's too short to be shy.

Just put yourself out there.

Do you admire confident people? & think, "Woah, I wish I could be like that?"

You can. It's all a mindset.

Do you hair, put on  a bit of make-up.

Put on an outfit that makes you feel amazing & walk out the door with your head held high and a big smile & see the difference.

Act as though you are the most confident person in the world. Make casual conversation, say "Hi" to people you see. & just watch yourself transform. Build your confidence up then apply for a job. & walk in there with you head held high!

Answer 3

Believe me I understand. i,m already 35 and am constantly feeling like i am not as good as other people, not as smart want to avoid others,and its probably because of the abuse from my stepmom as a child. The best advice I have is to MAKE yourself get into the situations you  fear, (even though it scares you), and you will find that there are people that actually like you and do enjoy being around you.

Answer 4

patience is the key here. i think you need to make the effort the conquer this loneliness and shyness. have faith in God and in yourself and im sure you will be fine.  

Answer 5

Social anxiety issues are tough for people of any age. If the Dr. gave you medicine for depression a few months ago, are you still on it? If not, you need to see the Dr. again asap... If you are still on the medicine, you need to let the Dr. know that you are experiencing these other problems. Sometimes the pills themselves cause various problems. Being shy is one thing, but truly feeling panic in public, or before going out in public is more than shyness. You say your mom has the same issues. What have Dr's. told her she is diagnosed as?  You may well be suffering from depression as well as other disorders.  I have ADHD/Bi-polar(Manic depression). as well as ocd, bpd, ptsd...and I suffer from not wanting to go in public also. The pills I am taking have made it easier to go out though. I started having depression and suicidal thoughts at around age19, and was hospitalized. I am 42 now, and truly just got the right diagnosis' in the last 3 to 7 years... (bi-polar-3 or so years ago... ADHD-7 years ago or so.) So remember that you can be misdiagnosed, especially if you have a-lot of symptoms that could be many different things.I was called everything you could be called before I had a truly good Dr. try many different things to find out what I had, but still it took a few years even then. ( The fact I am bi-polar was truly only apparent in the last 4 or so years. It became truly bad...)  Also he was looking at all the other diagnoses from the 19 or 20 years prior, and  trying to rule each one out as my problem. He knew I had ADHD, He had diagnosed that earlier; and he knew I suffered depression a-lot, but I was quote  'Manic' all the time it seemed, so most Dr's had ruled that as just a hyper type personality.  Social anxiety, as  well as most disorders, can be treated very well. But, you must be on the right pills for the symptoms and or disorders you have. I hope you feel better soon. Remember, Jesus is always there... You are never alone. God bless you,

                                                     Joni