Hi. This is my first time posting here. Ive recently turned 16, and
ever since i was 12 i was addicted to a computer game. To become the
best in this game was the main purpose of my life. Either this game
caused me to have social anxiety, or i already had it and the
addiction only intensified it. This game rationalized my fear of
social situations, by becoming an excuse not to go to parties,
dances or ust to hang out with friends for the past four years. Ive
been cursed to be fairly good looking (and i say cursed because
girls would approach me, and id panic.) Anyone i didnt know who
approached me caused me to panic. Even though i havent officailly
been diagnosed with it, i know i have it, and heres one example as
proof. About a month ago, my dad took me to a golf course to shoot a
few holes. I hoped with all my might that maybe there wouldnt be
many people there. Unfortunatly i was wrong, and when we got there,
to my horror i learned that at this course we are assigned partners.
Instantly, my fearful emotions rose and without thinking i said "i
cant do this" and walked away. My dad was extremely angry with me
when i failed to produce a reason why, i was confused and angry with
myself. After this incident i deleted my game (finally, after two
failed tries to quit) and thought i fixed the main problem in my
life. Well it didnt go away like i hoped it would, and i asked my
mom to see a psychologist, and i looked up info on extreme shyness
and insecurity on the internet. I evventually came across social
anxiety, read the symptoms, and knew this was what i had.
Unfortunately school has started, and even though I can function and
the nervousness is down a notch ever since quiting that game, i feel
like the irrational, and illogical fears i experience (unability to
talk in small, large groups, fears of reading anything in front of
the class, fear of being the center of attention) hold me back from
being who i am, who i know i can be anyway. Ive told all this to my
psychologist, but she didnt acknowledge social anzxxiety (asking,
thats a real diagnosis? and blaming my fears on my adolescencs). I
would appreciate any and all help!



- Andrew