Quote Originally Posted by Savra View Post
Is it social anxiety disorder if you have had it all your life? and it's just kind of who you are? I used to get very anxious being around people and wouldn't even go into a store as a kid on my own. Normal everyday interactions with people gave me horrible butterflys. It got better as I got older. However, people still think I'm rather off. I think as I got older I just stopped being anxious and scared people would think I was strange and accepted that they will any way.
Yes, this is a great forum. I lurk and enjoy reading everyones posts. I still worry when I post that I "did it wrong" and "will offend" and will "seem off" but at least it's only a tiny little voice and not that cold sweat I used to get some 10 years ago.
May I say, how very courageous to even ask the question.
Have you ever read Party of One the Loner's Manifesto by Anneli Rufus? Until I read it I thought I was always a little "off" too. Always had to have lots and lots of alone time, and I'm not big on gatherings too often. Even as a kid I hated slumber parties because I knew I had to spend the night with a crowd. This book made me feel much better about it, as my friends think it's a little strange, too, but they accept it. They know when I say no to some event: shopping, party, etc, that I'm not going to give a reason, and it has nothing to do with them. I think you are correct when you say it's just who you are.