Why does my social anxiety ease for a while then come back with a vengeance?!
Question:
Why does my social anxiety ease for a while then come back with a vengeance?
I have social anxiety disorder. It never really stops, but occasionally I can rise above it.
I had two ex-friends last year who tortured me for their own entertainment. One of them used to make unfavorable comparisons about my attractiveness, then wondered why I froze up. The relationships ended and my depression deepened obviously.
In any case, the anxiety eased for a while after November. I was actually able to talk to women somewhat naturally for a few months. Up until May when I visited some relatives I was "ok," but the kids love winding me up and later the adults thinking they were "just kidding" made another unfavorable comparison. We went out to a bar and then they wondered why I froze up and became uncomfortable.
Well, it is so bad now. I am afraid to go out for any reason. Whatever progress I had made was completely wiped out in less than 5 days. I am sitting her alone and just the thought of socializing is making me very nervous.
Answers:
Your friends are taking advantage of the fact that you are an outsider and don't know the social rules for greeting and interface. Chose friends who are the same as you and one might be able to teach you.