Posted by Krazy Kat on March 25, 2002, at 18:57:12
In reply to Re: OSchl- Social Phobia a real,debilitating illness!!, posted by OldSchool on March 25, 2002, at 14:00:44
o.k. i'm really slow right now b/c of high dose of depakote for bipolar disorder, and i cannot spell, so i'm not sure if i got agoraphobia correct to begin with - i meant "fear of open spaces or being out in public" not fear of spiders". i really can't remember."
i am a "naturally shy" person - i am introverted. i write and i read and i prefer being alone or with one friend rather than a crowd. i generally prefer animals to people.
our society does not really "like" introverts. we sometimes make extroverts uncomfortable (of course, i tend to find extroverts loud and attention-grabbing). from school-age on we are taught that oral participation in class is very important (part of the grade even), that being aggressive in sports is good (this goes for us women, too) and that having a "people-oriented" personality and a good public speaking persona are key to success in business, politics - gee, what else?
so there's that word personality - i have an introverted personality. i am shy. i am fine with this. unfortunately when manic i exhibit the opposite behavior and this has landed me in trouble a plenty.
3beereffect pointed out that he is not comfortable with his behavior, that it does not seem like his true self. introverts don't have trouble leaving the house, or fear of others' opinions. they're quiet. they're self-involved (some might say :)). they're introspective.
commenting on substance abuse when there are clearly other problems present, as if it exists on its own, seems naive to me. i don't think 3 beer could have said it with more clarity - he drank when in social situations to ease the tension. i drink to ease the mania, less often to ease the depression. it makes me just a tad frustrated when folks want to separate two disorders that are clearly linked.
rambling too much, sorry.
- kk
poster:Krazy Kat
thread:100046
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020322/msgs/100108.html