I would never have described myself as an anxious person really... I suppose I view anxiety as people with panic attacks or little old ladies with nervous neurosis about 'silly' little things.
But I think I've come to realise that I have issues with anxiety in various areas:
- performance anxiety - speaking in front of groups or in any scenario where I'm assessed (e.g. giving a graded powerpoint presentation at uni) - getting better but been a problem since I was a teenager
- peer relations - I find it hard to 'click' with a lot of people my age, particularly in group situations; I'm preoccupied by thoughts that they won't like me or would rather be talking to or making friends with the other people there - and that once one person shuns me, all the others will see and follow suit - ? due to bullying in high school
- living situations - I've lived with different housemates and often find myself hiding in my room so I don't have to see them; if this means not going to the kitchen for food until they've gone to bed, so be it - it's getting a bit out of hand
Does this sound like it could be social anxiety? I'm confused because in most one-to-one situations, or with people older or younger than myself I'm usually OK. I've always had a small group of friends and with them I'm completely relaxed. People usually describe me as confident and outgoing and most of the time I can introduce myself to strangers and get along with them... it's only certain situations that cause these obsessive negative thoughts and cause me to go into hiding.
What do you think? And what can I do about it?!