into the gloaming

THIS. (re: the “trendiness” of social anxiety)

princehamlette:

fatgirlsayswhat:

handingoutstars:

twistedsistar:

TY I hate how trendy being ‘awkward’ has become it’s like wtf this is actually a serious and debilitating problem for that kid over there how is all alone and you wouldn’t dare talk to.

absolutely. everyone’s like *giggle giggle* i have social issues. yeah, let’s talk about social issues…

Serious-fuckin-ly.

Reality check: Being uncomfortable in a room full of strangers does not mean you “have social anxiety”. Pretty much no one is comfortable in a room full of strangers.

Having stayed home from lots of events because you were afraid to be among a certain number of people means you may have social anxiety.

Having to plan out your week and prioritize which events you can and cannot go to, who you can and cannot see, because you can only stand so many people so many days in a week (essentially planning how to use your social ‘spoons’) means you may have social anxiety.

Staying up the night before events practicing potential conversations in your head in order to calm yourself down enough to sleep means you may have social anxiety.

Living in constant fight-or-flight response, adrenaline pumping, one minute away from a full-blown panic attack (if you actually know what a panic attack is. Hint: It isn’t just a high level of stress, it means heart palpitations and breathing problems) in social situations means you may have social anxiety.

Craving human contact but being too afraid to reach out for it, instead surrendering in a frustrated crying heap in a dark bedroom means you may have social anxiety.

Stop claiming my disorder when you have no actual idea what you are talking about. It’s offensive and it hurts those of us who are seriously suffering.

^^^^^^^^

(Source: thisishangingrockcomics, via megnificentstuff)