Withdrawn

[carole]

I just wanted to add I suffer from Social Phobia, have done all my life, when I was young I did not even want to go to partys, but drinking sure relaxed me and made it possible. I actually hide it very well, even to this day, I choose no longer to drink, so that I can socialise, I just DON'T want to do that anymore.

As a young child, we used to go for a sunday drive and then My parents would say now go in the shop and get an ice cream, my sister and I would argue about who was going to get it, she probably just could not be bothered, but for me it was painful to even do that, I hated just going in front of everyone and asking for it, I would have rather done without the ice cream.

It has been the most difficult thing in my life, as there is very little understanding, I believe it is something you are born with, my mother is exactly the same if not worse.

I have tried all my life to socialise, to please other people, and it has been traumatic for me, now I just won't put myself through this ordeal anymore. I loathe parties and get togethers, and yes part of it does come down to a low self esteem.

karen I have to respectfully disagree with you, i donot believe there is any medication that magically will make this disappear, and I for one would not take it, I just don't feel I should have to take something so that I can enjoy a party, it is something you learn to live with ,even though it is hard and there is very little understanding or empathy from anyone,(they think you are strange or stand-offish the only time it really pains me, is for my partner, who has taken years to deal with it, and finally has, but he wants to take me to xmas parties etc, and now has become a bit of a recluse like me, that does not make me happy.