Social Anxiety and Mass

[Jesus_Is_God_1]

I have social anxiety, I particularity worry about my physical appearance. When I was a kid from elementary school even all the way up to high school kids teased me about my looks. I know I am ugly and I am extremely self conscious about so many areas of my face. I have trouble going out into public. Usually when I do go out it takes me a long time to get ready, trying to make myself look good. A lot of times though, I don’t even to attempt this. I know I still look horrible anyway. I try to go to Mass but I often find myself missing it because I just hate being looked at. My social anxiety does affect my attendance at Mass. I get nervous and awkward and I know sometimes I probably seem rude even though I don’t mean to be. I just ask for your prayers, everyone, that I can get over this. God bless.

 

[Bill_Martin]

I can sympathize; I have felt the exact same way for many years. Getting to Mass is a tremendous struggle because of it sometimes. I will pray for you.

I know I am ugly

I know I still look horrible anyway.

I know sometimes I probably seem rude

Question everything you think you know about yourself. Mental illness makes us “know” a lot of things that just aren’t true.

 

[Bonnie]

Question everything you think you know about yourself. Mental illness makes us “know” a lot of things that just aren’t true.

A great big AMEN to that!

And OP - believe me, most people aren’t looking at you. Other than people up at the front - the priest, lector, altar server, etc - I’d be hard pressed to tell you who was at mass!

 

[7_Sorrows]

:console:

 

[oldgraymare2]

I have social anxiety, I particularity worry about my physical appearance. When I was a kid from elementary school even all the way up to high school kids teased me about my looks. I know I am ugly and I am extremely self conscious about so many areas of my face. I have trouble going out into public. Usually when I do go out it takes me a long time to get ready, trying to make myself look good. A lot of times though, I don’t even to attempt this. I know I still look horrible anyway. I try to go to Mass but I often find myself missing it because I just hate being looked at. My social anxiety does affect my attendance at Mass. I get nervous and awkward and I know sometimes I probably seem rude even though I don’t mean to be. I just ask for your prayers, everyone, that I can get over this. God bless.

Hi Jesus_Is_God,

I am so very sorry for your struggles.

I’m sorry about your social anxiety, too. That can’t be easy to deal with, either.

I’ll say some prayers for you.

May God bless you during this difficult time for you.

 

[MaryT777]

Praying that you may be relieved of this social anxiety.

 

[PluniaZ]

I have severe social anxiety too, and it’s really limited my participation at church.

 

[Mummsie]

Praying for you Jesus_Is God and you too, PluniaZ. Jesus, I trust in You.

God Bless You Both.

 

[ConfusedLucy]

I can relate to feeling socially anxious at mass though I am not as severely affected as some. Have you ever sought any help for this?