I have trouble posting. I have trouble responding to posts, I have trouble e-mailing friends, or talking to friends. I have trouble with social interaction. In the written context, I know I want to say the right thing, or voice what I'm thinking clearly and often times I find myself deleting my response before posting because I don't think it's up to par.

I don't talk to new people often, even if it's just in classes where the topic is clearly defined. Hell, I have trouble raising my hand in lectures to raise a point or contribute to discussion. And I'm not shy.

I'm not exactly sure what to make of this but I assume it has something to do with my PTSD and chronic depression, I just don't know how to tackle it. I'm trying to make environments feel safer for me so I feel like I can handle them and be more social. I don't feel like me, but the me I'm referring to is almost a decade ago when my PTSD symptoms weren't quite pronounced yet.

A. Lauren

I honestly don't know what to tell you about this except, you're not alone. I could easily have written this thread myself. Every single thing you said, I have been going through. It's very frustrating isn't it? I'm sorry you're going through this too but, at least we're not alone. PTSD sucks!
I wish you the best in getting through this. Hopefully we'll both get some good advice from this post.
Take care of yourself and don't give up!
Morgan

The simple solution is to keep doing what your doing, however; a change simply only be made towards how you face your trauma. You need a safe environment, yes. You need certain knowns to help you make your life easier, yes. But what you need most is to continue facing all your fears head on. The sooner you get through them, the sooner you get to managing PTSD; and you must accept that you can be no longer the person you once where, you have to accept and create a new you after trauma.

I too could have written the same thing. It is very challenging trying to create new relationships when the answers to the usual 'getting to know you' questions just don't seem to exist. My functioning persona has been missing in action for two or three years now. And as for posting, even here I don't really know what to say most of the time. And...there was a nice long paragraph in there that I just deleted. So it goes...

My therapist would always close our session with the same statement. He would always say "'Your assignment this week is to go to 1 new place and speak to 1 new stranger".

His main goal for me was to expand my "safe zone". I, unfortunately, have not increased the size of my safe zone in years and today I speak to only 4 people. My mother, the rental agent and the manager of my apt complex and a friend who calls me occasionally.

I wish I could give you a magic solution to the problem, but I can't. All I have is the little piece of advise from my T. Try to "Go to 1 new place and speak to 1 new person".

It is hard, I know. I am there with you in that realm of isolation and uncertainty. I can, however offer "1" little piece of humble advise. Stop caring what other people think. Once I decided to stop caring, I did become less stress and a lot happier. Hey, my montra these days is screw um if they can't take a joke! I really do not care what anyone thinks as long as I am not breaking any laws or causing scenes in public. If they think I'm crazy---well they are right LOL Relax and be yourself. Let the rest of the world worry about themselves. Love ya Grama Herc

Herc,

This made me feel sad when I read it. I do hope you continue expand the size of your safe zone. Who knows? Maybe some day we could have a conversation. (Hope this doesn't scare you away.)

Ruddy

Ruddy

Your comment did not scare me off, however, unless you come down to Florida that conversation you referrd to will never happen.

Why did my post make you sad. I am actually extremely happy. I handle my stress and anxiety fairly well and when I have to go out I go to my safe zone places.

The only real problem I sometimes create for myself is forgeting to check the gas gauge on the truck. I can't get gas except at the "1" station near my house.

But this is not about me. It is Metis-Siren who is asking for help, advise or some way to deal with the problem. I wish I could help.

Lauren, I really don't have advice, but I did want to say I know how you feel, because I am having a lot of difficulties interacting on the forum, I even have trouble answering posts I started myself! Also having issues lately with writing emails, and even talking to my family. I totally relate to everything you said regarding social interaction. I'm not sure what's happening. Anyways I wanted to let you know you aren't alone feeling like that and I hope things get better for you.

M-Siren,
hahaha. You have just started your journey in posting, congradulations, it would have never been written if you didn't feel the need.
I hope those typing fingers of yours begin to get more use.
We all need to take babysteps to begin recovery.
You took a giant leap forward
keep up the good work
Donna-Lynne aka White Wolf