Posted by AuntieMel on February 7, 2005, at 15:58:16
In reply to Re: patriarchs, posted by Dr. Bob on February 3, 2005, at 0:42:11
>Do social phobics have an easier time with larger or smaller groups?
Picture this - you are a person who already feels constant guilt (for nothing), like you are worthless (for no reason).....tick off the symptoms of depression.
Add to this a huge - I mean really HUGE fear of rejection. Someone that imagines their doctors will leave them - heck may not have even got a doctor yet because of the fear. Someone that has trouble calling even a friend - or family because of the fear.
Now that you have the background - imagine yourself to be that person. You finally find someplace where you think you can be yourself. But when you look around there are all these groups of people and they are all acting like they've known each other for years.
They don't stay there all the time - sometimes they'll pop out to say hi to the rest of the crowd, but to get in you have to approach (Gasp!) them and ask.
The first group says sorry but we don't know you yet.
The second group is only open to people with pink hair.
and so on, and so on.........
NOW - HERE'S THE POINT:
That probably wouldn't happen. But it *all* happens in the mind of a social phobic. So, to guarantee that it won't happen the person just doesn't ask...
poster:AuntieMel
thread:441543
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20050128/msgs/454449.html