Posted by Mark H. on March 19, 2002, at 17:58:26
In reply to Could someone provide descrip. of Social Phobia, posted by Janelle on March 19, 2002, at 17:09:03
Hi Janelle,
Someone else will probably give you a more thorough and scientific answer, but for me (I'm bipolar II), "social phobia" was/is one of the symptoms of the disease. Here are a few of the ways it manifested for me:
On personality inventories like the Myers-Briggs or Kiersey tests, I used to be "extroverted." Now I am STRONGLY introverted.
I am afraid to pick up the phone and call people. I'll spend an hour writing an email or memo about something I could clear up in a 3 minute phone call (except when I simply force myself to use the phone).
If I see someone I know in a supermarket, I start worrying that my skin looks bad or my clothes aren't right. I'll not only change aisles to avoid them, but sometimes I've even left the store.
Sometimes I'm embarrassed and cannot think of what to say, even to people I've known for 20 years. If the other person isn't comfortable with silence, I try to think of an excuse to get away.
I feel like I don't "belong" anywhere, and I find parties especially depressing.
Does any of this resonate with you? I don't experience these symptoms all the time any more, but I still experience all of them at least once in awhile.
With kind regards,
Mark H.
poster:Mark H.
thread:98866
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/98870.html