Hello!

[jazz]

    Hi !

        My name is Geraldine... Ive just joined the forum and i thought i would introduce myself.  I have suffered with social anxiety for many years now,Ive tried to ignore the fact that I have a problem (if that makes sense!) but I avoid most social situations and I realised now that it really is time to do something about it...its stopping me getting on with my life and I get very frustrated and angry with myself sometimes for feeling so anxious(dont know if that rings bells with anyone!?!) which probably makes matters worse.... I find it hard to pin point exactly why it is and how to deal with the problem... Its great to find this website and read messages from people who live nearby.I find it quite hard to talk about my anxiety with most people and im hoping this forum will help me start coping with social stuff again..  Im hoping to come along to one of the meetings you have at some point.... thankyou.
                                                                   

[Noisy]

Hi Geraldine,
Welcome to the forum!
I think that you'd enjoy the frank and open discussions that we have at the meets. It's good to talk about these things amongst people that understand. It's a relief to say " I have anxiety." without feeling as if you should add ".... no. It's a proper medical condition that greatly affects my quality of life and isn't what you experience your credit cards are overdue."

Best wishes,
Martin.

[Hope]

..  Im hoping to come along to one of the meetings you have at some point.... thankyou.
                                                                   
[/quote]

   
   If you do decide you're coming to a meeting and don't want to walk in alone and look for us (unknown faces) one of us would be happy to meet up with you first and take you there. But if you're having a confident moment just stroll on in!
 
     Hope
           
       
     

[jazz]

Hello again,

              Thanks for the messages ....I am hoping im going to feel brave enough to 'walk on in' but I will leave a post if i start thinking otherwise! This may appear to be bit of a daft question but at the meetings how will I know who anyone is!?!     

[Noisy]

My blue hair is a bit of a giveaway! 

Actually, it's a very good and often asked question so I've started a new thread where we can explore the options: http://brightonanxietyforum.110mb.com/forum/index.php/topic,82.0.html

Best wishes,
Martin.

[Capricorn]

Hi Geraldine welcome to the forum.

I have been going to the Wednesday meetings for quite some time now and they have helped me enormously. I suffer with OCD and general anxiety and sometimes you can feel incredibly isolated and alone as it is so hard to explain to anyone unless they have experienced it themselves. Meeting everyone at the group has been great and I also feel that I have found lovely friends as well.

Hope you will be able to make it to one of the meetings soon will be nice to meet you.

Best wishes Eli