I dread all social interactions
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Anonymous
| I was never social and always an introvert but I have been dreading nearly all interactions lately. It's senior year for my ds and there is more than ever with other parents. I HATE it. I do it, show up to games and events, but it's like crawling out of my skin, forcing small talk and feeling awful afterwards, systematically. I have not had friends in a very long time, and even seeing family aside from just my parents and in-laws is difficult for me. It's like I have a social part of my brain that broke during Covid and now any social anything is physically painful to me, I don't want to do it and always regret it. I am socializing purely out of duty. |
Anonymous
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At least you are socializing out of duty. I go to games etc. but read a book if I am not watching my kid. I don't have the mental bandwidth to care about small talk.
Do you WANT friends? I don't. |
Anonymous
| Do you really regret it? I was thinking you just need to build back your tolerance for it. If you really hate it, I wonder if you need help at all? I don't know with what, but it feels like you're going towards being a recluse and maybe want to nip it in the bud? |
Anonymous
No, but I do feel like a weirdo for not having any. |
Anonymous
PP here. Then work on that, don't focus on getting something you don't even want because of other people's opinion of you. That's messed up. |
Anonymous
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Are you an introvert or a person with agoraphobia?
If an introvert, recharge your battery after these social gatherings. If agoraphobia is setting in, get professional help. |
Anonymous
It's not agoraphobia. I don't mind being out in the world with no interactions or quick interactions. It's the social closeness and chatter I mind. |
Anonymous
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Sounds like you developed social anxiety disorder.
OP do you fully work from home? |
Anonymous
I do, but I have for 15 years so it isn't new. |
Anonymous
You are not a weirdo. There are MANY people just like you. |
Anonymous
| I feel the same way, except I was like this even before Covid. It’s small talk. I absolutely hate it and typically feel like I have nothing to say. |
Anonymous
| Stay in your car until last minute. Once the event starts, parents are watching the game. Does your spouse attend with you? Can he carry on the small talk conversations? |
Anonymous
| OP I have not spoken a word to a fellow HS parent in several years, maybe not since early 2022. I hear you. It will be over soon. |
Anonymous
He often does but he LOVES to chat and gets into his own conversations I'm not necessarily a part of. It's actually less awkward for me when he's not there. He also likes to linger after and chat some more. |
Anonymous
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Wow you are me. I have also always kind of been this way but something totally broke during the COVID years. I got out of practice or something…losing whatever interest or social skills I had entirely. My social anxiety went from mild to severe. I’m actually really sad about it and am seeing a therapist but nothing is working.
Can you just sit away from people? Or send DH? That is what I do. And I only attend when I 100% have to. |