family social anxiety

[whitecat]

Today I ate with my family trying to face my social anxiety.  Whenever I am eating with my family I get nervous when I talk to my 5 year old niece.  I feel like they are watching my every move. I feel like they are judging me. Whenever my dad speaks to me its usually because I do something wrong  like forgetting to take out the trash or not locking the door.  I was in the living room talking to my niece and he interrupts and tells me to lock the door. I don't like being around them, they make me feel self conscious.  I am upset now, just remembering my childhood when my dad would just slam my door open because I left a glass on the table.  I avoid them by staying in my room all day.  I also have chronic irritability and anger issues. I am a 32 year old woman, my issues have never resolved.

[Cuchculan]

Can I ask if you are getting any kind of help at all with your issues? Staying in your room all day is far from the answer. That would drive anybody up the wall. I done it for nearly 10 years as an agoraphobic. I simply got fed up with my room. Began to push myself back out. But you didn't mention that you had any problems when it comes to going out. So I assume you are fine there. Outdoors would be much better than indoors. Maybe join a club or a library. Just somewhere you can go. I know with social anxiety, people are a problem. But doing things slowly to begin with. Sitting in places were there are other people. Just to get used to the feelings it will bring on. Over time you will get stronger. As this is more the exposure route. Then some day so you have the biggest issue to face. Your dad. To let him know you are no longer a kid. You are a fully grown adult and wish to be treated like one. Not easy I know. But that is were theraphy would come in handy. To teach you ways to cope with such things. I'm not sure if there is any other family member you can trust to talk to. To let them know how you exactly you feel. It might be good for you. Maybe they can get the point across to your father first. Just wish you the best of luck with it.

[vamp1res]

I totally understand everything uve mentioned in ur msg, my social anxiety is worse with my family, i feel like such an outcast, yet i still live at home with them, i cant afford to rent privatley so im kinda stuck in this bedroom, when my neice & nephew pops over with my sister i get really anxious, then id either run a bath as an excuse to not see them , or go downstairs & speak to them & feel theyre eyes burning into me watching every move, paranoid that they are talking about me etc... growing up i never had SAD with strangers, friends, only my own family,,, yet i just turned 31yo & im still here, & my SAD isnt gettin better, i just feel so trapped,, at least if i live alone i can face things on my own without feeling like a burden in this bedroom oo my! STRESS! christmas meals & famlily gatherings are just a nightmare, sitting round the table eating with them, when i talk my lips sometimes quivers through nerves, its like i have dis connected with my own family, yet im still living with them

[jagger911]

I completely understand where your coming from, my family and relatives and big family get togethers drives me insanily nervous, not to mention crowds make me severe nervous, feeling like their talking bad about you and judging you....I'm glad to here I'm not the only one..;) What I do is try to go out with people that make me feel good and not nervous, but try to avoid staying locked up in your room it can cause more anxiety, just know from my experience....