Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder

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05/05/2020 at 8:33 AM

Yeah I was just curious if anybody else suffers from a specific phobia or it could be called a social phobia. I was diagnosed over 20 years ago some doctors have called it specific phobia and some have called it social phobia. Basically it's something I never tell nobody about because of the sheer embarrassment of it but I was wondering if anybody out there maybe has the same issue I have. I have a fear of using a public restroom or other people's restroom except for out of my own home. It has nothing to do with a germ factor but it has to do with the process of using a restroom and embarrassment I guess. I have had this problem for about 31 years now and I just can't seem to find a way to overcome my fear. In case anyone's confused I can't go to the bathroom my human Disposal system does not work because severe anxiety kicks in. Maybe it has to do with the embarrassment I don't know I just know my anxiety is so severe the process just doesn't happen. I don't know if something happened to me when I was little I recollect being in a Greyhound bus terminal at a very young age and thinking something happened in the public restroom at the bus station involving an adult but my memory is foggy. all I know is it has cost me jobs and relationships and a possible career in the Navy. And is the core reason I'm on disability. Anyways just curious on any feedback maybe someone else is going through this in their life. and I hope the feedback I get is gentle cuz this is very difficult for me to talk about.

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Courtney_J

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05/05/2020 at 6:53 PM

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Courtney_J

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Last activity on 08/08/2022 at 11:09 AM

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1,339 comments posted | 59 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

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@harry2020 Hi harry2020, thank you for starting this discussion and sharing your story as well! Social phobia (also sometimes called social anxiety disorder), can be really crippling and disruptive to your daily life. You're definitely not alone, approximately 15 million American adults are diagnosed with it! Let me tag some members who can also share their experience.

Hello everyone! I hope you're doing well and don't mind me tagging you here. How do you handle your social phobia or social anxiety in daily life? Have you found ways to cope with it? How were you diagnosed? Feel free to share your story here!

@JMOdegard87‍ @DJBoyd76‍ @Toylynn70‍ @ANNA1996‍ @Alyssia‍ @Alli_Pisces‍ @Spitfirered3‍ @Wmg2000‍ @Mommy0611‍ @lonelygirl‍ @kjnicholson74‍ @Person‍ @Abphil3‍ @SiddharthSingh‍ @Ofelia‍ @Brittnicole164‍

Take care,

Courtney

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Courtney_J, Community Manager, Carenity US

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-05 18:53:09

JMOdegard87

05/05/2020 at 9:35 PM

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JMOdegard87

Last activity on 12/21/2022 at 6:56 AM

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21 comments posted | 3 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

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I was diagnosed around the same time as I was diagnosed with depression ( around 2004). I have eventually learned to deal with it in order to get through the necessities of life such as shopping at a store for example, but I can only handle it for so long before I know I need to leave or commence panic mode. All my life I have avoided crowded areas and many public places, never been to a concert, anything like that. I was prescribed a very strong anti anxiety medication in the past but after attempting suicide with said meds they promptly discontinued prescribing me those. My mother was the only one who sort of began to understand what was happening but even she would get frustrated and annoyed with me about it.

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Jackie Odegard

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-05 21:35:06

JMOdegard87

05/05/2020 at 9:47 PM

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JMOdegard87

Last activity on 12/21/2022 at 6:56 AM

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21 comments posted | 3 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

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So yeah I know exactly what you are going through. Another I guess "phobia" of mine is phone calls and talking on the phone. I'm almost 33 years old and making simple phone calls for appointments or anything is such a stressful ordeal

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Jackie Odegard

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-05 21:47:59

Unregistered member

05/06/2020 at 9:20 AM

I understand how you feel I've had my own mother frustrated cuz she doesn't understand my phobias and stuff and my OCD. She's at the point where she ignores me even if I try to talk to her about how I'm feeling and all that stuff. Seems like she's more interested in other stuff in the world besides me.

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-06 09:20:49

JMOdegard87

05/06/2020 at 8:57 PM

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JMOdegard87

Last activity on 12/21/2022 at 6:56 AM

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21 comments posted | 3 in the Living with anxiety and other mental illnesses group

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Yeah mom and I would have our tiffs about it. She passed away 2016

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Jackie Odegard

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-06 20:57:37

Unregistered member

05/07/2020 at 2:19 AM

I'm sorry that your mom had passed away a few years ago. If you ever need someone to talk to about your anxiety and phobias I will be here to listen to you cuz I understand what you're going through cuz I'm going through those anxiety and phobia issues as well.

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-07 02:19:25

Unregistered member

05/12/2020 at 2:56 AM

Hi..I was recently diagnosed with anxiety and depression due to covid-19! Im literally worrying everyday and all day because my husband is an essential worker! I have a son that was born 4 months early and on scared to death that he just might catch it! We are always at home as I was before this pandemic even began! I literally just worry myself into tears and a headache!! Any advice would be helpful!

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-behavioural-disorders-mental-illne/specific-phobia-1863 2020-05-12 02:56:50

Specific phobia: social phobia or social anxiety disorder

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