Any advice for someone who feels like they missed their teen years due to OCD and Social anxiety and doesn't want to lose their 20s too?? I feel so lost. I haven't worked and would like to but I feel like any place I could handle with my anxiety wouldn't want me. And i don't know how to go about making friends or possible relationships. Any tips?

Thank you ❤ definitely trying! Not always sure where though in a small town but I have been going to a small group and music night so it's a start 🤷

Thank you so much ☺ typing all that out was so nice! I definitely have tried to get out of my comfort zone and have been able to go to a music night for college students in my community. It has been a lot of fun but also scary as people often talk in circles of people and that TERRIFIES me lol BUT I keep going! I have also tried to find things where I can be social that are a bit more comfortable for me. My friend has a Bible study group and I think I may try to join because I prefer smaller groups of people. I am hoping I can find a job this next semester. I am in college and there are jobs on campus. I just hope I can find something not too anxiety inducing because I am afraid employers wouldn't understand. I just have been super worried about my future lately. I am afraid I will never be able to get a job and will be alone forever because I'm scared of talking to guys lol but I keep trying to take things one day at a time and go to therapy 😅 you seem like a great person and I am glad to know I am not the only one who feels this way!

@Anyonomous I'm the same way! big groups of people are definitely NOT for me. I like to hang with no more than 3 people at a time lmao but a bible study group sounds great! it's definitely a good way to connect with people on multiple levels. but I'm the same way with jobs :( I was at my old job for over a year and I had so many anxiety attacks while working, and there was even one time where a customer pulled me aside and gave me tips on how to deal with it and I was just 🥺🥺🥺🥺 but it's always difficult for me to he somewhere where I can't sit down, so that was a big problem for me tbh and the masks did NOT help (even though I'm very pro-mask). but I think getting an easy job on campus would be a good idea! just make sure to ask your employer/s all the important questions so yk EXACTLY what you're getting into, because idk if you're like this too, but surprises are not for me 👁👄👁🤚🏻 anddddd about the therapy, same! I'm actually onto my 3rd therapist now and she's doing everything I wish my old therapists could've done for me. I hope that's going well for you! and whew I feel you on that relationship stuff. before I met my current bf, I was lowkey just kinda hoing around because guys kept f**king me over and I got terrified at the thought of catching feelings and doing actual flirting, because I trusted no maN- but I definitely think it's important to recognize what you want and need and that'll help u weed em out and find a good one for you when the time is right <3 but there's no rush to get into a relationship asap~ and you're definitely not the only one! living with GAD is so much worse than I can explain to people, like this is exhausting 😓 but I always try to keep the faith, especially for other people! you got this!!!!! ❤

@amberellal Yes! It so exhausting! Like anxiety is a full time job 😅 but I am just going to keep trying haha. And I am on my second therapist! My first one was nice but knew nothing about OCD which was what I needed most help with at the time. Now I have one on here who is great and my symptoms have gone way down! I also have another through my school who is helping me with my more general, social stuff (and she's free so....). Honestly I'm just so grateful for the help I have gotten bc if not who knows how much worse I would be. I'm happy you have found a counselor that works for you too! It can be sooo hard to find the right fit!!

@Anyonomous EXACTLY, it literally is a full time job 😓🤚🏻 but YAY IM SO PROUD OF U! ik I don't know you but it makes me so happy when someone dealing with this kind of mental illness can make progress, because ik how hard and frustrating it is for a lot of people ^u^ I'm so happy your therapist is working out for you and getting you the help you need! my therapist is definitely doing the same and I'm so grateful for her. my first two therapist were those classic "and how does that make you feel?" 24/7 therapists and never really wanted to understand why I felt the way I did, yk? but it is definitely hard to find the right one 😓😓😓😓 for a while I wanted to give up but I'm so glad I didn't. I've only been seeing my current therapist for about a month now and I've already made so much progress in some areas. not so much with my anxiety or ocd, but more with my physical issues that fed into my mental issues. but I hope for nothing but the best for you and I hope you only see improvement! you got this!

@amberellal Aw thank you so much 😭 ur so sweet. I wish the same to you!! Thanks for being so kind and supportive!! We need more people like that in the world ❤

@Anyonomous you're just as sweet! and right back at you~ I'm here to support everybody, because I know how tough this is 😓🤚🏻 so I just wanna uplift everybody and give them that extra push and confidence boost~

That is so true ❤ I have got to quit letting OCD run my life and just start living it even if OCD runs in the background

Same :( my teen years were mainly spent anxious and suffering from undiagnosed OCD. College was a new chance for me and I felt like I blew. I went to a super small H.S. (graduated with 4 other people 😅) and so I kind if isolated in college. I was commuting from half and hour away and it was super hard to make friends. I feel like I am branching out more now but I may be graduating a year early (its my Jr. year of college) and that freaks me out bc i feel like I am just starting to try and make friends 😔 i TOTALLY relate to the running naked in the city thing. Exactly how I feel! I am so scared people will hate me so I am scared to try!