Social Anxiety back in my hometown
Whenever I go back home to my town to visit my family I suffer from the following symptoms:
- Avoiding going into public places such as the supermarket or park at certain times to avoid bumping into certain people I am uncomfortable with.
- Declining any offers to go to social events where I may encounter people from my past which can trigger old painful memories and make me feel inferior.
- Feeling bad and left out and lonely when I see certain people having fun and I am not there because I just do not fit in with them.
- Feeling like I am a burden and have brought shame to my own parents because I do not have a life outside of my house when I go back home. My mum probably compares other people's children to me and is embarrassed of me.
How can I overcome these feelings and feel better when I go back home?