Social anxiety in grad school
I was actually going to talk about starting the PhD, so I started talking a little bit about social anxiety because it was, and still is a problem. Then I decided half way through making the video that I’d talk a bit more about it. There is a lot more to it than this, I’m only talking about what happens at uni. I hate to talk about my anxiety to people because it makes me even more nervous. It’s actually very stupid, what I am afraid of is that people will see how afraid I am. Will people see my hands shake? Can people hear my heart beat? Am I blushing? Talking to a camera is a lot easier because no one is watching these things. It makes me even more nervous that this is all happening at the psychology department. I have had this problem for a long time, but haven’t really made videos about it. I actually have made a few, but i haven’t uploaded them. I almost wasn’t going to upload this one. I have had talk therapy and taken SSRIs for it as well as for depressive episodes that I’ve had through out life. Unfortunately the thing that works the best for me is alcohol. Even that can sometimes make me even more anxious, so it’s a gamble. Although I’m lucky as it’s mild to moderate in severity, so I am able to live a fairly functional life, especially thanks to a lot of things being done online. And there a few friends who I feel very comfortable around and can do a lot more things around them. They probably would not know about my problem at all. People are affected by social …
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Everyone’s different when it comes to social anxiety, and it’s normal to worry about embarrassing yourself, etc but it becomes social anxiety disorder when it interferes with your life.
Hey, I found your video because I’ve been looking up Social Anxiety Disorder (because I think I have some form of it or something) and while you were talking, I found that I could relate to what you talked about (except cutting classes, since I’d be more nervous about missing class than the class itself), so I found it very enlightening to hear someone talk about their experiences with Social Anxiety. I’m really glad you posted this video!
“Don’t worry” is easy to tell yourself. but not easy to do. I am aware that I’m being irrational (as do most people with phobias) but that doesn’t stop the anxiety. It’s the same as “I have to cheer up” when you’re depressed.
Some things don’t make much sense either. Public speaking isn’t bad (well it is, but everyone else finds it scary, not just the socially anxious) but talking on the phone and asking for something is.
Simple, there is nobody else in the video! I do most of them when there is no one around for a reason. I would have liked to ‘interview’ people, etc but I’m too scared to ask the people.
I have not talked about things like this even to some of my closest friends, who don’t even know the existence of these videos. If people don’t like what I’m talking about, they can stop watching. If they keep watching, it’s their own problem, but people can’t do that in a social situation.
Hi, I enjoy your videos and I think your area of study is quite interesting and with a lot of future.
What surprises me is that you say you have social anxiety. How is it that you can show yourself so open in videos?. It is inconsistent to me. Could you explain?.
Don´t worry about small talk, you will manage it when you get a bit older, just say the same silly things people do without worring to say something smart all the time.
Thanks.
Gday, Nice to see more Australians on here.
Darn 8b I hate waiting for good news about psychoactives.
I experimented with 2CT7 and the 5MeOs (DMT,AMT, and DIPT) back when they were legal. No real social value unfortunately. They were more for turning on a light in the brain and tinkering with thought patterns.
Look forward to the paper, what is it about?
You’re welcome.
Yeah, that is true. Although it’s easier said than done to say ‘so what, it’s not the end of the world’. I know it. I know logically that why on earth should I care what basically random people think of me. But I still don’t feel that way.
It’s because people with anxiety disorders do have insight and know their thoughts are irrational.
Yeah, agree with the friends finding me strange early on. That’s how I do manage to find out some of this stuff because people I don’t know very well obviously won’t tell it to my face. But usually it’s not as ‘strange’ as I think (or well feel) I am.
Yeah, there are a few people that genuinely seem to like it, usually because they’re similar, but for many it’s just a quick laugh and then they get over it. Then there are people who either don’t notice or care about it.
Thanks
I’m not too worried about being their friends, but I would like to be able to deal with other people like that without significant anxiety.
Thanks! Critical hit!
Haha, it will take like 3 or 4 years to get the thesis out, I’ve barely designed the experiments
Although I’ll post the paper I’m working on at the moment if we get it published *cross fingers*.
I *hate* it. It’s because I have one of those cheapo video cameras off ebay.
Thanks for the video
Thanks for accepting my response.
I think you should try and love everyone as much as you can. but who am I.
very annoying noise in the background
You’re so cool!
Yeah!
Just let it be.
cheers.
Love the 20 sided die T!! Have fun, post your thesis online when you’re done… would love to read it!
Congrats on the acceptance Doctor Neuron.
Don’t fret over befriending the other grads. Not all of them will be your friends; I’ve heard there can be real assholes in such programs.
But if you’re going to be in the department for a while you will eventually warm up to a few people. I’ve found the best way to make friends is to take social risks; do things I would not ordinarily do, like start a conversation or something weird. You’ll survive.
Thank goodness there are people who think eccentricities and “weirdness” are adorable and interesting. (wish there were more of them, and that the novelty didn’t wear off so fast)
The hardest thing for me is explaining that an absence is not personal. Especially with online friends. If I’m “down”, I’m down and it’s almost as if there’s a physical barrier between me and more intimate, social interaction. Public interaction, like say.. this.. commenting, I can seem to do in any state.
I agree it’s tough.
I myself tend to come across as disinterested or spacey as well but usually I’m terrified or trying to monitor ever single thing I do. While I’ve never been told I come across as rude I do know that some of my friends found me a bit creepy earlier on. Consequently I tend to avoid people at the uni whenever possible and very rarely will I eat there. Recently I have tried expanding the limits of my comfort zone be it ever so slightly. I still come across as awkward though.
LOLOL i’ve had the same experience many times. people often think i’m just really rude but it’s only anxiety.
it’s good to keep things in perspective as much as possible. the world won’t come to an end just because a social situation doesn’t go too well – and a hundred years from now what will it matter anyway? it’s best to just take it as it comes and not worry about social stuff too much if you can.
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