I think I have social anxiety disorder, but I'm too embarrassed to ask for help!?

I have done a lot of researching of mental illnesses and I am pretty sure I have had social anxiety for the last few years and it is now just recently causing me to have some depression symptoms, such as suicide thoughts and no desire to interact with my family. But, one of the major things about social anxiety is difficulty opening up to people. I have tried to speak with a counselor, but I was nervous(for lack of a better word) and couldn't do it and never went back. Are there any calming techniques or anything I can do to lessen my anxiety about talking to the doctor? I need help, I am destroying my relationships and missing out on my 18 month olds most precious times. Thank you!

Try writing all of your feelings/symptoms down before you go to your doctor. When you start to have trouble expressing yourself, just read from the paper or just hand it to them. They'll get the idea. Source(s): Anxiety sufferer

Congratulations!

You just took the first step: asking for help. Sure it was on Yahoo, but is a huge first step. However, you really do need the help of a doctor -- not just a counselor.

Simply print off your question and paragraph above and take it to your doctors office. Give it to the secretary or nurse, and have them give it to the doctor. Let the doctor read it, rather than you physically telling her.

Good luck. You recognize that you need help; now you just need to realize how much you (and your family) deserve it.
I know it is embarassing, I have been and am going through a panic disorder....if you do not seek help for this it will get worse...i promise you that....please go make an appointment at a mental health facility you will feel so much better....trust me.....good luck to you. Just think about how important it is to talk to a counselor, do it for your baby if anything.
To help lessen the fear of talking to your doctor, look your beautiful child in the eyes and draw your strength from there.

You are preparing to give yourself and your family a wonderful gift...YOU!

Good luck!
you just asked for our help so i guess that's self-explainitory! go to professionals at w/e u need! good luck
If you still have the counselors name, copy your post & send it to him or her via mail or e-mail. Write out (letter or journal) everything your thinking and feeling and let them read it.

You may just not have been able to connect with that counselor. Try for a different one or try calling a help line (sometimes it's easier over the phone) or talking to a pastor at a local church. Anything to get the ball rolling.

You may be nervous, but what's more important ... your being uncomfortable or the time your missing with your child. Just resolve yourself to go and do it. I think calming techniques are just a delaying tactic in your circumstance.

You need to make the decision to get help & do it. No excuses. Make the appointment, show up & open up. Any good counselor has heard just about everything - you have nothing to be embarrassed about. Like most of us, you're only human & every now and then - we need help.

Good Luck!