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How do people with Social Anxiety Disorder function in college?

21 April 2010 4 Comments
Christopher asked:


Because i’m planning on going to a good college (Cleveland State University) when i grad in a couple years from high school. And i have Social Anxiety Disorder and i would like to know how people with this disorder generally function in college.

4 Comments »

  • excitednewparent said:

    well you have to work your way up slowly. one day talk to someone for 10 mins the next day 20 min and just work your way up. also after talking with someone a little bit you may feel a little more social and better able to talk to someone else if done very soon afterwards – this is called positive momentum you should try to learn to use it as much as possible. also try to get in a good mood this will boost your self confidence (and you can’t have too much ever). people are attracted and less likely to feel awkward around those with confidence. remember the more social you are the easier it will get in time. good luck
    ps- if this does not work try medication for s.a.d

  • Dino said:

    Hi, I have social anxiety and am in first year college so i completely understand you. The first day i wasn’t nervous at all because everyone was new and alone there and i felt that since old high school people weren’t there, i wouldn’t have to worry because everyone seemed alone and awkward. Class is overall easy, because from my experience there isn’t a lot of pointing “ok, you. answer!” like in high school, basically whoever puts up your hand. I will admit it is hard to make friends, i have only made one friend in a year, but i feel that one is better than none :)
    Just try to make conversation with whoever is beside you, just say “Hey, how do you think you did on the test? or Hey, can i borrow a pen?”(yes its hard, i couldn’t do it lol, maybe you can though?)
    Just try to stay calm and relaxed,and take things slow, socially.
    Good Luck!

  • BabyCakes said:

    I have Social Anxiety Disorder and Idiopathic Craniofacial Erythema and still working on it :[… I graduated 08 and im at the point to where I feel like i want to just stop going to school and just get my career going because school is just sometimes emotionally exhausting. Especially when Speech is one of the requirements to graduate..ahh it kills me. It would be much better to know someone who is going through the exact same thing.

  • GrAc07 said:

    I had depression and an anxiety disorder in high school so I understand your concerns. I can’t tell you what to do because everybody copes and heals differently. For me, My parents filed for divorce the day i left for college making everything even worse than it already was. I was severely homesick for the first two weeks because i felt I was neglecting my family but in the end I had to do what was best for me and force myself through the healing steps. But this is YOUR time and remember that!

    I made the decision to go to counseling on a regular basis (most colleges offer this free so I’d highly recommend using the resources you have) If not they have on-campus support groups. I never attended any social events unless I had someone I knew there and since I made friends with someone who was a Junior I had an instant ‘in’ for advice about anything school related. The lectures that were large (generally 75+ people) I stuck to the back of the room since i get claustrophobic around too many people…The general college atmosphere is VERY different from high school in some colleges though. Mine was very laid back and people were very mature.

    Basically don’t push too hard but realize that college is awesome because it is a time where you get to reinvent yourself and the pressures and crappy times in high school don’t matter anymore! :) Best wishes!!!

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