Do I have social anxiety? I LOVE meeting new people at first and almost get a high from it. I enjoy making them laugh and smile and getting to know them. And then every single interaction after that I feel so much anxiety and fear when I see them. Like I don’t deserve to be their friend and they don’t want me as a friend. It makes me really sad and depressed honestly. I don’t know how to overcome it either. I haven’t had a close friend in so many years. Thankfully I have my wife... anyone else?

I’m sorry you’re feeling this way. I’m afraid your fishbowl friends can’t diagnose what you’re experiencing as we don’t know your life story or full context. You should try seeking therapy or try journaling to figure out the why. It seems though that you get a dopamine spike when you engage in social interaction so it’s your brain telling you that it’s a reward and you like human connection. Your friends will accept you for you and for those who don’t, forget it and move on!

Im sorry you’re going through this. I agree with the other comment. Finding the root of why, is it fear of rejection, fear of attachment, etc. and working through it in therapy or another professional manner if it’s impacting you this much. At the end of the day people come and go. It’s worth just being yourself and building authentic relationships from the start. You don’t want anyone who can’t see how awesome you are anyways. Best of luck

Hmmm not trying to diagnose but will relate to my experiences…could be slight depression. I talked to someone who helped me realized I like getting people together, doing the planning and organizing and coordinating, but when I get around people I feel extremely disconnected. The planning gives me the high and fills me up, but I’m immediately depleted when it’s all over. I also see all the work I’ve done to bring others together but don’t feel a part of what I created which makes me feel sad and lonely. I was told I needed to spend time alone with myself and honestly just get comfortable learning about me. Which I actually like a lot. I enough my 1-1 connections and occasionally do things to bring people together but I just have that self awareness now. Hope this perspective helps!

Usually with social anxiety you also wouldn’t want to meet new people. Either way the solution is some therapy to think through your thoughts and reframe them.

I can actually relate. I was picked on mercilessly as a child and had major self esteem issues well into my adult life. I was constantly worried once people got to know me they’d reject me. I don’t know if it was social anxiety per se, but I do know therapy has helped me to work through this and some other anxiety and depression related issues. Hang in there and get the help you need.

Highly recommend therapy!