For almost 2 years now, I have been down with social anxiety or social phobia. At home and around my family, I'm fine. But just steps outside of my comfort zone (step out of the door) and I start feeling shortness of breath, uncomfortable chest, and my stomach starts playing games. Doesn't matter if I'm in the middle of attention or not. I can be alone somewhere and I still feel nervous. I try all kinds of exercises, breathing, meditating, writing daily journals, and listen to audios about ways of curing anxiety. It gets better, then it comes back again. So did a lot of research, on how to overcome nervousness, anxiety, and how to become "comfortable" around others. Almost every website I go to, they say I need to go to some therapists, cognitive-behavior therapist...

But I know that my parents can't afford to sent me to some cognitive behavior therapist, if I asked, they won't stand watching me suffer, but they would have to bite down the bills, for me. There is just noway I can afford it myself, I know that they will try to work something out, but I know how that works. Cheap for them is expensive for me.

I use to think that just surfing Google and try to find some help is fine, and that I'll "outgrow" it soon. My parents always tell me that if I'm afraid of social situations, I need to put myself in more of those situations. They believe that if I'm in that situation a lot, I'll sooner or later learn to feel comfortable around it.

I've been feeling very lonely and sad these days. I imagine all the other kids my age running outside and playing all day long, while I'm here trapped inside my comfort zone, trapped like an animal in his cage. I imagine kids my age going shopping, partying, and doing all kinds of fun stuff. Here I am, day after day, inside my room, in front of my computer, afraid of society. I'm afraid to set my foot out of this house. My parents sent me to gyms, thinking maybe that'll help boost my confidence and self-esteem. They get mad at me, they compare me to other kids. The ask me why I'm always inside, alone, why don't I have any friends. They always try to make me go outside more, try to take my computer away from me so I'll start being more social. I've become ripped from going to the gym, but inside I'm still nervous and anxious.

Summer is almost over, school is almost here. Just thinking about it gives me a notch in my stomach, not because I hate waking up at 6:30 every morning and doing homework and all that, but because I have to meet a whole bunch of kids everyday. Thinking of that makes me mad at myself for feeling this way. I just can't help it.


:(

Do you feel safer 'in the house' like you don't want to leave?

One thing I know can be helpful is vitamin B complex and sublingual vitamin B12.

You might want to try getting some counseling too.

What your parents are telling you is right. Many people with phobias have to do the very thing that scares them to over come it.
Phobia therapists will have people with a fear of dirt and filth go and play in the dirt.

Good luck with school

Vitamins? How is that going to help me?

Because many people with problems like ADHD, OCD, anxiety, phobias, depression, stress, schizophrenia, etc... have a vitamin B deficiency.
Here is an article that explains how it works but it is more on brain fog than covering all areas of 'cognitive thinking'
Paying attention to your fuzzy thinking (http://www.womentowomen.com/fatigueandstress/fuzzythinking.aspx)

Omega fatty acid and vitamin D3 are also good.

Basically they help boost your feelings of well being

Try them for about a month and see if they help any.

Hi, just wanted to say I know how you feel. You said that your parents can't afford the cbt? Do they realise how bad this is making you feel? It's a real and serious illness. Just because people can't see it, doesn't make it any less real. It's a real illness just like cancer is a real illness. If you had cancer your parents would get you treatment, I don't see egy this should be any different. Ideally I would reccomentd cbt and anti anxiety or anti depressant medication. I reckon you would feel so much better. I didn't think vitamins will do anything for you. Here on the uk we can go on a waiting list for free counciling I'm not sure how it differs in the USA. Try and convince your parents to getting you the help you deserve. Even try showing them this post you made. Goodluck and let me know how you get on.

Have you tried talking with your physician? There are medications to treat the symptoms you're describing. And since you've tried other methods without success, it sounds like you may in fact need some sort of drug therapy. The only expense would be your usual co-pay. I'm certainly not a fan of medicating the entire world for everything the way some people are but you could in fact have a chemical imbalance that is treatable.

Exactly, some people need medication and respond to it well due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. I have one, there's no shame in it and no shame in using medication.

So, I should or should not just surf around the Internet trying to find treatments? (So far none has worked)

So, I should or should not just surf around the Internet trying to find treatments? (So far none has worked)
Cognitive-behavioral therapy has worked. Ask a friend to walk with you to a place a short distance from the house, stand a short time, then return to the house. You know what your destination will be and will be able to control how long you stand and when you return. Pick other destinations and continue to control the length of time for your trips there and back. Do the same thing driving (or riding in) a vehicle and then returning home. The point is to give you control of where you go, how you get there, how long you stay, and the trip back home. Control is everything to someone with anxiety problems (who feels like he has no control). That's one thing you can do.