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Ирина Константиновна Зубиашвили
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Оксана Юрьевна Селезнева 4 hours тому: «Якщо я правильно розумію, ви маєте надію на те, що ваш чоловік стане як раніше? Ви не розглядаєте варіант розлучення? Як раніше вже не буде. При дотриманні всіх рекомендацій лікар»
You are reading a translation of this question from the original language: Ukrainian
Question by: Hannah Age: 22

What's wrong with me?

I'm 22, almost 23. I’m too embarrassed of myself, I have no friends, no job. I’m starting my second higher education degree. I’m really scared of thinking about new classmates there. I don’t know how to make acquaintances, but I really want at least one person my age to talk to, hang out with, or just have someone to chat with. But I can’t even imagine it happening. I stay home and it’s fine, kind of boring, sometimes depressing, but there’s no danger or anxiety, so it’s okay. But this can’t go on forever, which is why I’m starting again, now in a different city. I’m really nervous, and my head is full of "what if…" scenarios. My parents tell me to just be myself and try to keep conversations going, but I can’t—I overthink how I come across, and that stops me from being myself.

Would I even want to be friends with someone like me? Yes, but only when I’m not embarrassed. That’s when I like myself.

I used to have a friend. She moved away and we don’t talk anymore, but we’re still following each other online. She’s married now and travels, and she’s lost weight. I’ll be honest—I’m jealous. Because I’ve never even had a boyfriend. It feels like everyone my age has had all these experiences, and I haven’t.

I still love the TV show I loved as a teenager, and now there’s a spin-off, so I still watch it and get really into it. There are a lot of things I’m really into. Is that a sign of immaturity? If I need to move forward, I can’t, because I love certain things too much—music, books, fictional worlds, soccer. But I’m not obsessed with them; I can talk about other topics too.

I feel like I’m falling behind. What’s wrong with me? How do I become "normal"?
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Psychologists’ answers

You are a normal person. However, you have developed social anxiety—a persistent fear of being around people and experiencing social situations where attention is drawn to you and you might be criticized. It’s normal to feel occasional anxiety before meeting people, such as on a date or during a presentation. But someone with social anxiety experiences constant anxiety and self-doubt in any interaction with others. People with social anxiety feel as though everyone is scrutinizing and negatively judging them.

The causes of social anxiety vary. For example, heredity—if someone in the family had an anxiety disorder, the risk increases.

Psychological traits.

Environment—repeated exposure to anxious behavior from others.

Social anxiety can and should be addressed: medication and psychotherapy are used to help people in this state. Antidepressants are prescribed as pharmacological support, and they are recommended by a psychiatrist.

The most effective therapy for this condition is cognitive-behavioral therapy. A psychologist helps identify and change negative thought and behavior patterns.
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