Lightsabove, thanks for sharing your experience. I also experienced a lot of things as a child, I do have anxiety with some traits of PTSD and I get frustrated and defensive easily. I grew up having to do everything 'perfect' since I was very young, the bar was always very high and the expectations as well so when I commit mistakes even now as a grown-up woman, it is very hard for me.
Most people don't understand unless they're in your shoes. However, I always spoke my mind and I think somehow this is what saved me, the ability to express myself and feel free.
I am glad to read that you can now talk with others about yourself. Wishing you well. *smile*.
I think moving away from my hometown and cutting ties to them helped me, and sometimes I get sad about that, but if that's what helps my mental health, then it needs to be done.
I still struggle to connect with people because of my anxiety, but I like to read things like this. It makes me remember it's not just me going through it, which helps in so many ways.
It's also a part of the reason why I went into teaching!
I am also a teacher! And yes, you have to do what is best for your social anxiety and peace of mind. I think when you move away from those things that hurt you is when one comes to realize how much we really went through. It is difficult to come to that conclusion if you are still living in the same place. How are you feeling now? It takes time…
My kind of social anxiety is a little different, I appear to be very social and extrovert. I talk with people easily but I am actually an introvert and I think very few people can notice that. I don't like crowds, I love to be by myself and I don't enjoy much conversation with others. I am afraid to go to new places by myself or talk to others for the first time. I don't like to talk on the phone and I prefer to write emails or messages. Having said all of that, I have no problems to tell things as they are, I don't keep it inside so if someone is doing something that is bothering me, I say it.
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