Does Anybody Know How To Know if You Have Social Anxiety?
Okay, here's the deal.
I took some online tests and quizes and while I know these don't exactly replace a professional assessment, I still got really worried when the results came. Each and every one of those tests say that I do have a high range of social anxiety. I've done a bit of research and my experience as a Listener in 7 Cups from talking to other people who have social anxiety are leaning towards the indication that I do have quite a number of the "symptoms" or signs of social anxiety disorder. And it has put me in this state where I feel like I'm in a completely new realm. I thought I knew who I was. I thought I was just an introvert or a hobit, a book nerd who preferred the world of fictions and imagination than the real one. While I knew that the way I face and deal with certain things in life weren't exactly "normal", the idea that I MYSELF probably have a high range of social anxiety is unnerving. I feel... like an exposed banana without the banana peel.
I feel incredibly vulnerable. Exposed. Scared. Unsure of myself.
I feel like if I'm 20 and don't even "know thyself", how's it going to work out later in life?
Hey there @Saraf *hugs* (only if you are okay with virtual hugs, if course)
You are NOT your anxiety! You are and you always will be you, and while I can understand that such a possibility is scary to think of you are so much more.
Like, really, all the things you were doing you can still do them! I know you can I believe in you, and afterall you have been doing them until them anyway!
I mean, really, the important things it that this does not define you, it does not change who you already are, you are so much more, awesome and amazing! :)
@redmark
Thank you soooo much, Red! Made me tear up 
I really appreciate you taking the time out to reply to my rant. Your words mean a lot 
*hugs*
@Saraf *hugs* (if you are okay with it, still)
Hey, that's why we are here, we are in this together here, don't worry about it! :)
Also, since anxiety generally does not just pop up from one day to an other, the right diagnosis can actually be a good - although scary - thing and the very first step to get over and beat your anxiety! Of course these online tests can be sometimes a bit vague and not the most reliable source of a diagnosis like this, so if you feel like it, you should probably sometimes - if and when you feel ready - give maybe a chance for a professional. In the meantime you can always hang out with us of course, we are glad to have you around! :)
But, anywhow, you can do this, believe in you!! :)
P.s.: I love your profile picture, it is soo adorable and cute!
@redmark
The thought of getting professional help is kinda scaring me. It's gonna take a lotta Pep Talk to myself by myself for myself xD
But I promise to work on that.
P.S. omg I thought you were a Listener but I just checked out your profile and saw that you're a Member! 
You're AMAZING!
P.P.S. Your profile pic takes the crown. It's way more adorable than mine, okay? >_<
*hugs* (and I'm okay with hugs lol)
@Saraf *hugs*
Thank you!
I love otters....and, well, red pandas as well...I think they both are awesome :P
Well, things like this take time, and it is really a big step, so it is okay to take your time and until that you have this place and there are even resources here you can use that maybe helpful. :)
For now just take your time, and once you start to feel more comfortable with your current situation, your probably-social-anxiety you can think of the next step, but it is totally okay to just stop for a moment and two and just get your thoughts together and you can - and should - always take things on your own pace.
The way you are feeling is valid and you never need to explain it here.
I do really believe in you! :)
@Saraf
I think, we are a little one in the same :P
It's good to know if something is wrong, and holding you back in life, like depression, or social anxiety, and I think that should be where you start to figure this out. If it's something that is stopping you from living your best life, and from being happy, then it's definately something you need to look at. Otherwise, just keep on cruising.
There is nothing wrong with having an imagination, and liking time to yourself.
I don't think you've suddenly changed, or become someone else... those traits have probably been a part of you for a while, the dots have just suddenly connected, and it's good to take time to figure out what that means happens next.
We are always changing inside. Even if we try to stay the same. Just like our outsides do.
@ATrainRideAwayFromGood
Truer words were never spoken...
I'm so grateful for these words, I wish I could hug them or make a warm soup out of them. Thank you so, so much for taking the time to reply to my rant post 
I really appreciate it.
Hi SaraF.
Social anxiety is something that's unfortunately rather confused with other things such as agoraphobia and even simple introversion. Remember that people are different, and it's okay to be the way you want to be.
True social anxiety is often marked by an inability to act properly in certain social situations. As for me, I can't be what I want to be because I get fearful or don't know what to say a lot of times because I get anxious, fearful, or whatever the word is you want to use. I know it keeps me from my fullest career goals because I can't interview for jobs well, I have a hard time making friends or finding a relationship with a woman, I don't feel I belong anywhere around me after multiple attempts, I have a way of not opening up and sharing who I really am, I have a hard time trusting people. Especially when I deal with people, my stress level has a way of going through the roof as my mind races on what to say and how to deal with people in general.
I literally just ran down a list of signs for social anxiety, but they all fit me so well. I also have a lot of solo interests. A lot of those interests are probably because I've feared dealing with people for various reasons, but they aren't things that by themselves cause problems. The problem I have is that I have desires to do certain things and have others in my life which I can't have because I am either anxious in dealing with people or just plain don't know how to deal with people.
The question you have to ask yourself is if you want more out of your life than you have right now and can't get it because you can't deal with people well. If you see a little bit of yourself in that description of myself I posted, then you likely really do have social anxiety. Otherwise, you just keep being you, and hopefully you have others that can enjoy that in your life.