I have experienced social anxiety since I was a teenager and for me it has co-existed with various other mental health conditions, such as depression and OCD.

Some of my worst times when I was younger were: dropping out of school because I couldn’t bear the anxiety and lack of sleep every night knowing that I had to go to school the next day and face people; losing touch with my friends and spending many years isolated at home; constant worrying about having to see the doctor for repeat prescriptions; dread of people visiting my house; difficulties in attending appointments, which over the years has made it difficult to do things such as going to the hairdressers, the dentist, claim benefits and rent a property.

These problems started in my early teens and although the depression and OCD were diagnosed fairly soon, it wasn’t until many years later that I realised the difficulties I experienced with social contact were due to social anxiety. Probably because the social anxiety wasn’t recognised, the treatment for the other conditions never seemed to work effectively. I found accessing treatment extremely difficult – the very thing that was supposed to help was the thing I dreaded the most – attending an appointment.

In recent years, I realised that I have social anxiety and finally sought treatment for it. I have received CBT treatment and now have a much better understanding of how the social anxiety has affected me. I still have some way to go, but I am now better able to manage around other people. Whereas I had not worked previously for many years, I now work part time from home and attend in person meetings fairly regularly. I am able to attend medical appointments largely without difficulty now, and sometimes risk interacting with people without having to stay on “safe topics” and completely mask who I am. Interestingly, when I do this, they seem to be more relaxed around me than when I play it safe.

My main purpose in writing this is to encourage anyone with social anxiety, including those whose lives may be severely impacted by it (possibly in conjunction with other mental health conditions) to consider treatment, however frightening and impossible that might seem. These days professionals are aware of the difficulties that can be experienced by people who have social anxiety in accessing treatment, and they should hopefully be able to offer you online appointments and make adjustments so that it is easier for you to access the treatment. Despite previously being terrified of therapists and treatment, I have had some very positive experiences with CBT therapists and found that they have a good insight into the condition and how to deal with it. Even for those who have been too scared to seek help for many years and those who also have other mental health conditions, treatment can make a big difference and be well worth trying.