Social Anxiety=Really F'in Sick of Humans??

[ShootinBudz]

opiates are like the best anti anxiety drug in the world but they come with all that excess baggage like opiate addicition. You should get a script for a short acting antianxiety drug like buspar, valium or something like that you can use when you really need it but the best antitdote for social anxiety is to be yourself and not be a social robot trying to fit in with other robots. as far as weed goes you need to only smoke DJ short strains they will fix your anxiety.

 

[EatCannabisRaw]

I'm actually good...thats the point. I don't need a drug for social anxiety... because my heart is strong.

 

[inverse]

dude i feel exactly the same way. I'm intelligent, not some weird loner type guy. Honestly i wish i was living in another time, when i could live in the forest and survive and prosper off of the land. I'm a very independent person, and i feel like living in that way would best suit me. Unfortunately my fiance and family aren't too keen on me running away to a forest life so...im stuck looking for a job i probably won't like in a society that is unnatural for me

 

[anikas88]

I always very shy growing up, then around high school, i broke out of my shell and i guess my shyness went away with confidence, i had alot "friends", I couldnt live without my friends which was the opposite of what i was when i younger because i was always very self sufficient, anyways i took a bullet for one of the friends,(not a real bullet..lol but i took a weapons charge for him), when i was in trouble nobody stood by me while i was going to court and working to pay for my court bills, no one, i guess that really hurt me and it made me realize that my social anxiety was kind of built into me to protect myself from these type of situations, now my social anxiety is worse than ever, i dont mean to say that im a hermit or some antisocial asshole, just that its very hard to trust people and get close to someone, i guess we are too sensitive and caring and alot of people sense this and take it as a weakness and will fuck you over, ive meet alot of people who seem very social and very popular but they are some of the most antisocial assholes ever, meaning they are very fake and know how to talk and be in a social situation, but they wouldnt to help you if you were dying on the sidewalk, but if you talk to people everyone says theyre a great person, so to make a point in my ramblings, feeling some type of social anxiety i think is normal, its kind of built in to protect us from other humans, it does need to controlled though, i dont realy think drugs are an answer, more like finding something that makes you happy, i havent found it yet but i hope i will

 

[Someoneorother]

I am pretty much the exact same way. I utterly despise cities, and am not much of a fan of most people.

Heres my advice:

Get into biking. Whether that be road, cross country, BMX, or downhill(yeah). Then you can just ride off into the woods, and not see anyone for quite some time. Plus, it is just about as addicting as crack. Once you get bit by the bike bug, you can't go back....but it is awesome.

And for a larger, less easily achievable goal....try to get a little ways out of your city. If your street goes up and down, and turns every which way....you're golden. If it is on a block....I hope you find your way away from it.

I cannot comprehend people who would willingly live in squares, regardless of their situation. Ugh.

EDIT: I think at least a few people on here were probably fvcked over at some point, and had a realization that people are dicks. I had a run in with a recalled product as a kid, and got royally fucked over, physically. At that point I realized that a major company would, in full knowledge of what they are doing, hurt a (conceivably lot of) kid(s) for the chance to make a couple extra bucks(at least they got their punishment for it). I am not going into details about it..sorry. But, it was a scary realization for a 10 year old kid, that anybody would knowingly harm people just for a CHANCE at making extra money. Fucked up.

 

[Drugcheese]

We have become so overpopulated that human life no longer has value. The world (people) have gone crazy in response to dealing with it all... We forgot where we came from and pursue avenues of falsities.
In a world where the population exceeds the available space, a species will resort to a lack of respect and it's senses become "overloaded." Nature will also deal with it by increasing diseases, floods, etc...
If we can't or wont deal with it, if the universe is given enough time or pushed far enough, it will do it for us. It's the cycle of life and we are but a small, insignificant part of the 'whole'.
We need to go back to an earlier day where people respected each other, held value for one another, and things were generally much simpler... Much of what we once knew as life still exists, but it has been translated into our current situation... Instead of hunting, most of us work, etc.
The biggest problem with humanity right now is overpopulation, then religion being second to that.

 

[Guest 26753]

I live as a recluse and relate to nearly all of the posts in this thread. I used to be uncomfortable about living away from society, but over time I began to embrace the social exclusion brought on by my trade in the cannabis industry, both as a grower and breeder. I am lucky I have an understanding partner to fulfill my needs, and an understanding family. It helps with the loneliness.
I read a very interesting article called "Cannabis, social control and exclusion: the importance of social ties".
Here is the link to the article at UKCIA. I hope you find it an interesting read, whether you agree with it or not.
http://www.ukcia.org/research/CannabisSocialControlAndExclusion.html

And here is the abstract and introduction.

Cannabis, social control and exclusion: the importance of social ties
Abstract
This article analyzes psychosocial issues related to social exclusion created by the illegality of cannabis. The paper is divided into three parts. First, it provides a historical portrait of the penal approach to this social exclusion while focusing on the main recommendations of various international commissions in respect of cannabis consumption and the importance of social ties. Second, it explores how coffee shops in the Netherlands constitute a space where cannabis consumers can be, to a certain point, demarginalized and in which social ties can be createdwithout punishment or incarceration. Finally, the paper suggests some conditions for empowerment and invites social practitioners to pass from a psyho-relational to a psychosocial therapeutic system in order to avoid negative social labeling and social exclusion.

Introduction
There is no consensus concerning the analysis of the phenomenon of addiction itself or the management of related social problems (Schaffer; Nadeau; Room; Anthenelli; Breggin and Brisson). Profound differences of opinion appear as soon as the question of the traditional disease discourse versus a psychosocial approach, the etiology of drug problems and the social control methods that should be promoted, are considered ( Suissa and Weinberg). Major paradoxes continue to fuel the dominant discourse when it comes to determining whether dependence on a prohibited substance (cocaine, heroin, cannabis) constitutes a crime or an illness or whether it is more closely linked to the relationship between the individual, the substance and the social context. Whereas dependence on non-prohibited substances in Western cultures (alcohol, tobacco, prescription drugs) generally perceived as disease, dependence on substances that are foreign to Western cultures is more often associated with deviance and criminality ( Szasz, 1989).

Cannabis constitutes a striking example of these paradoxes insofar as current laws place consumers in a position of deviance and exclusion, even imprisonment. Apart from some cases of tolerance of consumption for health reasons, especially in the case of persons with AIDS, cancer and glaucoma, this is still the status quo in Canada, even though half of all citizens in Quebec, for example, are ready to decriminalize the consumption of cannabis for personal use (Nadeau and Nolin). According to recent figures from the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse ( CCSA, 1998), half of the 63851 cannabis-related offences recorded in 1995 were cases of simple possession. While the Canadian authorities responsible for applying the law track down less than 1% of all cannabis consumers each year, over 2000 Canadians are imprisoned for cannabis possession, at a cost of $150 per day, and 92% of all persons found guilty of this offence continue to consume the substance during the following year. Also, a considerable number of these offenders are likely to have been jailed for defaulting on payment of a fine. This is an important issue as this type of offense often involves individuals from the lower socio-economic stratum. The last report of the National Council of Welfare (2000) untitled Justice and the Poor, demonstrates clearly that the criminal justice system is unjust as it discriminates more against the poor, the richer people and corporations can pay their fines while the poor are more oriented toward the prisons. From a Realpolitik point of view, this reality is generally combined with penal and social control measures applied more among lower socio-economic groups, these groups representing a certain potential for deviancy and social disorder. This penal approach results in the exclusion of thousands of people and their social networks. What are the foundations underpinning this type of social control? What are the social factors, which influence this kind of response to social problems related to dependency?

Faced with these profound questions, this paper attempts to highlight certain contradictions in the application of penal methods of social control as applied to cannabis. This is achieved through a critical analysis of the addiction phenomenon. To this end, we will first consider the historical and social context in which cannabis is consumed. We will then illustrate the founding principles of the penal perspective on social control, which contributes to the exclusion of consumers. As an alternative to the undesirable psychosocial effects associated with penal approaches, the case of coffee shops in the Netherlands will be considered to show how spaces where consumption is tolerated help to reduce exclusion and bring the strengths of social ties to bear on the implementation of Dutch drug policies. Finally, some practical benchmarks for support workers will be suggested in order to avoid obstacles that work against the empowerment and social management of persons popularly visued as deviant.

 

[sirgrassalot]

Smoking Moose as a Canadian I don't know anyone that can't afford to pay their Cannabis possession fines unless they're lazy ass mf or trafficking. Come on $50-200 bones they shouldn't be smoking in the first place until they grow up, get an education & a life.

My first conviction for possession back in the early 70s was when I was 15 my mom had to go to juvenile court on Jarvis St with me. The judge let me go in her custody no fine, nothing, he asked why I smoked, I told him I loved the taste & smell. I showed mom my quarter ounce of hash as we walk out of the halls of justice. I've been charged 2-3 more times in connection with other charges over the years, peanuts. The fines are a joke here for possession, come & get me.

 

[Guest 26753]

The judge let me go in her custody no fine, nothing, he asked why I smoked, I told him I loved the taste & smell.

The birth of a true cannabis warrior...I love it! lol

 

[whiterabbit9]

^^^

i love it

 

[CaptainStoner]

This thread pretty much describes what I deal with. I'm not naturally shy, i'm naturally a bit arrogant, but I had this beaten out of me at school. I'm not scared of people, but like others, i live in a state of constant disgust at the state of the general populace (UK) and the cities within my country.

I do not like crowded places. I'm fairly large at 6'1" 225lb (48" chest) and need a little space to walk. I am constantly getting out of other people's way because that's the kind of nice guy i am, but that and being jostled about get on my nerves to the point i want to lash out at these people who, on reflection, don't really deserve that. Whenever I go into public i am filled with dismay at the people, and the state of my city. The crowds are horrible. I call it "people claustrophobia"

I dislike most people within minutes of meeting them.

For me i see the problem as being that society as we know it is collapsing. And it's depressing. I do not ever read newspapers and I avoid television news for that reason.

Homo sapiens is naturally a social, gregarious animal which likes to be together with other members of the species, but in a close knit family/friendship group. Not countless tens of thousands of strangers, each one just looking for an opportunity to screw another over.

I wish i was around in the 60s when it was all peace and love and being happy with other people. These days there's another kid been stabbed to death every day in the news. I HATE IT HATE IT HATE THIS DAMN WORLD AND MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN IT

*ahem*

My parents want to move to rural france and live as near as possible to self-sufficient in one of the little, old school village type communities they still have there, and the more I think about it, the more I want to go with them. At least in those communities there isn't the scum we get in cities.

 

[EatCannabisRaw]

CaptainStoner, man you should really go!

I'm feeling less socially anxious these days. Well, its still there some...but I control it now. What I mean is I just try to have an attitude that I care about people... honestly its making a huge difference. But if I start getting self-centered more than I just start feeling more uncomfortable. I'm also not using as much caffeine which seems to help for some reason? Maybe because caffeine makes me more self-centered.

I think really that we are meant to live in families/tribes etc... and with that comes the ability to care about your fellow members.. but CaptainStoner I agree today we live in huge crowds of people. Even just walking down my neighborhood cars will rush by me...total strangers...

But if I try to respond to their presence with my heart, honestly... it makes a big difference. I guess because... its just hella awkard for me to have ZERO purpose for them to be there and me to pass by.

I also notice though, that since I've been doing this, and the more people I care about... and be around... that I can actually be around people sometimes and its like they don't exist. Its like once I reach my social threshold where I'm satisfied, its like other people don't register as much..

So that leads me to think that possibly my social anxiety is really a result of not having enough real social interaction in my life.. kinda funny how that is. Its like I get akward because maybe I truly just want to feel connected more to my fellow humans, and I am not.

I think I stopped caring about humans after I felt I was f'ed over my a very very close friend. That, and another episode that happened earlier in life. But maybe it boils down to me being self-centered and not social enough to begin with, that led to my issues? I don't know...

Caring for people is a really good way to get close to other people... I mean because your not trying to get something from them... you giving them your attention. Maybe I'll turn into Mr. Theresa... did I spell that right..

I like going to my drug support groups because unfortunately I don't have alot of friends and it gives me a chance to be around a group of guys to just talk with...and to care about other's concerns. I wish I had more of that in my real life...because its truly enriching! But it seems nowadays everyone is so separate. I want to be more connected on a daily basis.

 

[TheGreenMushroo]

I just read through this thread, and I'm glad I did. What you say about one's mindset being important is true, EatCannabisRaw. Look at life as a series of opportunities to find happiness, and hopefully to make the world a little bit better for your being in it. You seem to be a person who analyzes the problems in your life and tries to make things better--a quality that will help you through dark times.

I know that it can be very difficult to establish a social network (friends and the sort) when you've fall into the pattern of loner behavior. Just take it a step at a time. Express to your current friends your desire to be more connected to others, maybe they can help.

 

[mtbazz]

Im in the same boat. I am 40, and never really liked being around more than a couple of people at a time. I was always called shy also, than when I went to college was given the whole social anziety thing also (which resulted in me going on paxxil, i hated that crap). These days Im just labeled as unfriendly, anti-social, etc...whatever...I dont care anymore. Everyone is different, just because someone doesnt want to be around people all the time does not mean that they have a problem.


Ive always just enjoyed my own company, so that I can enjoy an focus on the things I like to do.

 

[Guest 26753]

I've always just enjoyed my own company, so that I can enjoy an focus on the things I like to do.

I relate to this very much! As I said earlier in this thread, I live as a recluse. I used to do it as a result of a sense of social exclusion, but the more I began to realise that the rest of the world did not matter, the happier I became - and the happier I became, the less social exclusion I felt. I realised that I enjoyed my own company, and I began to enrich the world I lived in. Not having societal shackles any longer gave me the freedom to grow, and my quality of life became such that, in my garden I felt as one with nature. Being at one with nature was the enlightenment I had searched for, for so long. A true and very real sense of contentment.
I chose the...

 

[EatCannabisRaw]

Yeah I feel you guys. I don't know... I guess I've always been this way too, since a little boy. I would hide when people would come over to the house my mom tells me. Well, I knew I did this... lol... i always did it really.

Why? Cuz I just didn't feel like dealing with some of these cats. I guess I didn't want their energy. I feel people's energy SO much I guess that I can't be bombarded with too much.

For about a month I had to make money and randomly I started doing bodywork. It was during a time I was spending lots of time by myself out in nature climbing trees, barefoot and all. So when I would walk out of nature into the small town, I was more okay...but still. With the bodywork I could feel people's energy like crazy and it honestly felt like their energy would transfer into me. One guy I felt had tremendous amounts of negative anger frustration tension... I held his fit and told him to fight it out...whatever it was...and it totally got released.

Needless to say I was good at working with people because I could sense things they were, I guess, unconscious too. I think people like me and maybe some of you guys have just a sensitivity to energy...to stuff you can't see. I guess this runs into the family too, because my father is into the healing arts. I always have felt a kinship to nature and animals. I guess because the energy of animals and nature is a pure clean one.

But most people are so tense... so coffee driven and just I don't know... thats just how I see it. And I can't be around it much because it affects me alot.

Some of you might be interested in some of the new research out about people who are electrically sensitive. Sensitive to electricity and emfs and all that. It can supposedly cause a lot of fatigue, irritability, confusion...add... the list pretty much goes on in ways...

I guess for me I can either accept this energy in and try to output positive heart energy... or just be alone. I don't really have a choice. Its just something I'm learning. I think there are so many people in this world who are lonely, and heart-broken... not enough good love and positive vibes.

I think marijuana can help the population... but yeah thats a battle. I see people at my workplace so coffee-driven. They seem to become so machine-like. They seem to become stern and lose their heart essence... Their soul-energy becomes diminished. I can understand why people who do that, and maybe its not coffee totally but it seems related. Thats just my rant I guess. I think the whole coffee-stress-overwork thing is causing a lot of problems in our country.