Guest Ram Report post Posted August 10, 2002 Well, school started back up today, and going into 11th grade, I think I've hit a problem. I can't open up. Two years ago, I was a pretty wild guy, but now it seems like I've hit a snag or something. I mean, I honestly can't think of something to say anymore in a conversation, and end up either too stressed to speak or say something at all. I can when I need to, but not without my heart beating a mile a minute. What the hell? Is this some kind of anxiety disorder or something? Used to, I could join up in a conversation and have no problem. Now, its like I have barely anything to say. I might be stressed because these people are still new to me, but I've been here for two years, and am just now starting my third. Help a guy out, and tell me if I'm just growing into a silent, heatless wonder, or if I've got some kind of diagnosable disorder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Still Fly Report post Posted August 10, 2002 Sometimes, why you feel restrained and anxious is ... well its just a teenage thing. ::turns on sex ed video:: Your body is changing, along with your hormones. Things are gonna get weird. Even if your voice has already changed and all that stuff.... most teens go through it, so don't worry about it. ::turns off sex ed video:: Just find little things to say, even if they aren't the best and most interesting. Not everyone's destined to be very articulate and a fabulous ligusist (sorry if I spelled that wrong, its 12:45 AM)... It happened to me too. I used to be a sucker for attention and all that stuff, and once I got into high school, nobody knew of my existance. So don't place high expectations on yourself. And try the best you can in just making convorsation. If you can't, no big deal, okay? It happens to lots of people. But if that fails, you might want to look up anxiety disorders. k? I'm not excatly a phsycologist. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted August 10, 2002 My advice as a serious pre-med student at a university with a good reputation (seriously, I am) is to start smoking pot heavily. you meet all kinds of people through tokin' up. Don't go to chintsy parties or dances or crap that you don't find interesting. If you can't find anyone that you can talk to, don't talk to anyone. Either that or develop a mysterious aura by not talking to anybody AT ALL. this only works if you're good-looking. if you're ugly, just smoke. if that doesn't work, Paxil does wonders for generalized anxiety disorder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest PlatypusFool Report post Posted August 10, 2002 I agree - drugs solve all problems... *ahem* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Syxx Report post Posted August 10, 2002 Ram I study quite a bit of mental health in school, and also work part-time in the field, and by the sounds of it you might have a panic disorder (form of anxiety) on your hands. Now I need a few questions answered 1. When you mention your heart starts beating, are u also short of breath, or sweaty? 2. Are u avoiding talking to others, because of your worry of carrying a conversation? 3. Are u ever "hard on yourself" or feel "not normal" when comparing yourself to other students? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mesepher Report post Posted August 10, 2002 Ram, don't do drugs... you'll never find happiness in a chemical Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LooseCannon Report post Posted August 10, 2002 I don't know that anyone here is able to diagnose anxiety disorders. But I went through a similar thing around the same age. I used to think there was something wrong with me. Then I realized that a lot of people just simply are not worth talking to. It's no big deal. So if I ever run into a situation where I'm in a group of people and I find that I have nothing to say, I know that it's because they're inane conversations are beneath stimulating me. It may be the same thing for you, but I doubt anyone over the internet is going to be able to tell you. By the way, I've never known pot to improve anyone's conversational abilities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest papacita Report post Posted August 10, 2002 1. When you mention your heart starts beating, are u also short of breath, or sweaty? 2. Are u avoiding talking to others, because of your worry of carrying a conversation? 3. Are u ever "hard on yourself" or feel "not normal" when comparing yourself to other students? Um...I dunno about Ram, but I think *I* may have a problem! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kinetic Report post Posted August 11, 2002 My advice as a serious pre-med student at a university with a good reputation (seriously, I am) is to start smoking pot heavily. I can't believe you'd suggest that he smoke pot to be more social. Alcohol is a much better conversational drug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Guy Stokes Report post Posted August 11, 2002 You have to be more like Guy Stokes, brother. Get some new threads, pretend like you have something to say, then just think of Guy and the words will come. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest evenflowDDT Report post Posted August 11, 2002 1. When you mention your heart starts beating, are u also short of breath, or sweaty? 2. Are u avoiding talking to others, because of your worry of carrying a conversation? 3. Are u ever "hard on yourself" or feel "not normal" when comparing yourself to other students? Um...I dunno about Ram, but I think *I* may have a problem! Yea, the last two happen to me more often than I'd like to admit as well. It's not that I don't try, it's just that I too, suffer from things to talk about... and I feel stupid for asking random questions. But you know what? I do it anyway, and that's just what you have to do... if you feel stupid for it, don't worry about it, it doesn't really matter if in the end you get people to talk to you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Ram Report post Posted August 11, 2002 Ram I study quite a bit of mental health in school, and also work part-time in the field, and by the sounds of it you might have a panic disorder (form of anxiety) on your hands. Now I need a few questions answered 1. When you mention your heart starts beating, are u also short of breath, or sweaty? 2. Are u avoiding talking to others, because of your worry of carrying a conversation? 3. Are u ever "hard on yourself" or feel "not normal" when comparing yourself to other students? 1. Usually, depending on how close I know this person/people. I don't think I'm usually short of breath unless its ALOT of people. I always figured everybody had that problem though. 2. ...yes. 3. ...yes. I would smoke pot, but I decided to not even pick up anything that looked like a cigarette or a cigarette box. My best friend's dad died from smoking, and its appeal is really down low. I'd drink alcohol if it were around and no big deal, but I haven't yet and don't plan on it if its not the main focus of a social situation. An anxiety order, eh. I wonder if I can get some sympathy lovin' from the ladies. Hmm.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Still Fly Report post Posted August 11, 2002 nevermind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Agent of Oblivion Report post Posted August 11, 2002 Guess I'm an exception as far as the whole pot thing goes..I'm not the "Duhhhhhh...where's the doritos?" Type of stoner.. More the "smoke a bowl of dank with some cool chicks but get shot down later because i'm not very good looking." I've been lowering my standards as far as women go, however, which has done wonders for my personal life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sebastian_the_Bastard Report post Posted August 11, 2002 I used to be like that and to a point I still am. Ha, must be an ugly person thing, though I've gotten more attractive this past year and have came out of my shell a bit more. You're just nervous is all... no big deal. My advice... hang out with some friends who you feel comfortable around. You'll feel comfortable around them then, without even noticing it, you'll get comfortable around more people. Kind of like this... you're friends with Rob. Rob is friends with Brian. You'll get comfortable around Brian. Brian is friends with Tina... etc. That seems to be how it worked for me anyway. I love it when you go "UNH!", Sebastian the Bastard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Syxx Report post Posted August 11, 2002 Thing is Ram there is normal nervousness, which yes everyone experiences, and then there is what is deemed a "panic attack" where u can are really short of breath and can hardly function in that moment, that is not "normal" though I dont think u are experiencing this. It does however sound like there might be a chance you have a form of social phobia. It is a relatively new recognized disorder but apparently is quite prevalent. Go and see a doctor right away and stress that it is more than just a "normal' type of nervousness. Tell them that you feel inferior to others and avoiding conversations out of fear, and then they will listen to you rather than just dismissing u as another teen. In the meantime go and post at socialanxietysupport.com (message board section), take a look around and see if what others are experiencing is similar to you, and post a message telling them about your problem, there should be some very knowledgeable people over there who can tell u first hand what is going on, based on their experience. Good luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Sebastian_the_Bastard Report post Posted August 12, 2002 It seems to just be normal to me, Ram. But if you really think it's that bad, listen to Syxx. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
