Anyone else?

[Its_Me_Jackie]

Are any of you good at socializing, friends, family, random folks? I would assume no, but for me I have these weird/random times where I’ll go from only saying a couple of words to someone and all of a sudden it’s like I snap into reality and my social anxiety just “disappears” almost like I never had it to begin with... why?!?!? Does anyone else experience this? I mean I’m not even complaining because realizing what I’ve done just puts a huge smile on my face!

 

[Phanelope]

There are certain types of people who can pull me out of my shell.

 

[Phanelope]

Also coffee and alcohol help.

 

[SusanLR]

Certain personaly types if they initiate the convo and it is of something I find interesting or sometimes when
I find it comical/humour.

 

[Bolletje]

I have my social butterfly moments where I’m effortlessly the center of attention and I enjoy every moment of it. Those are interspersed with moments of wanting to hide in a corner and hiss at people that come too close. Overall I’m fairly good at socializing though. It’s the main reason people have trouble believing I’m on the spectrum.

 

[Progster]

Usually I'm quiet and withdrawn around people, but some people do make me feel a bit more relaxed, usually people who are a bit more open and say what they are feeling or thinking, so I don't have to guess all the time and I know where I stand with them, I feel more secure and my anxiety lessens.

I also sometimes talk a lot out of sheer nerves, but I can't keep it up for long, I run out of energy and shut down.

 

[Its_Me_Jackie]

It’s not even certain people that trigger this I mean I’ve had this happen to complete strangers before and didn’t even know their name!

 

[OlLiE]

i stopped caring what people think
i just talk

 

[SunnyDay16]

It depends on who I'm around and how I feel at the time. Some people help energize me while others tire me out.

 

[WittyAspie]

Also coffee and alcohol help.

YES!

 

[Tom]

Yes, I have always had these periods I am suddenly very outgoing . It lasts a couple of days usually. I have no idea why but my latest hypothesis is that it is a manic phase. I only seem to have the manic part. No depressive part. Unless I did something really stupid in the manic phase and must now pay the piper.

 

[Sherlock77]

I'm generally fairly shy, very much an observer of the world around, via my camera... I do street photography though and do talk to complete strangers, via my camera lens... I think the camera acts as a buffer for me...

I have also found that if there is a shared interest with someone I've just met, it can be a major conversation starter, generally for me photography and classic cars can quickly get a long conversation going, even with a complete stranger...

 

[Observant]

Sometimes. If I find the topic interesting then my anxiety does go away as I start to engage in conversation (even with complete strangers). There will be a period of silence afterwards that some people will find awkward, but I'm just taking everything in since I consider conversations to be something that should be savored.

 

[Adora]

I definitely not a social butterfly but can socialise for a bit but can also feel drained and tired afterwards,my husband who is nt loves socialising and actually becomes more energetic afterwards.

 

[Suzanne]

Yes and no.

I have chronic social phobia, where even if I see one person walking outside, I cannot go outside and YET, there are times that I have a splurge of confidence and go out anyway, but feel SURREAL, to the extent that if I got into a conversation with someone, I see myself talking and am in awe that I am actually talking to a stranger.

There is only one person that I can be 100 percent myself with, to the extent that although our communications is mostly by text, when we see each other, it is no difference; no awkward pauses or silence; just at peace.

Generally once back home from "socialising", I sigh a huge relief and it is like closing the door on all the mental pain, but it takes me some time to get back to normal.

 

[Judge]

Are any of you good at socializing, friends, family, random folks? I would assume no, but for me I have these weird/random times where I’ll go from only saying a couple of words to someone and all of a sudden it’s like I snap into reality and my social anxiety just “disappears” almost like I never had it to begin with... why?!?!?

Indeed. For myself it's that point in time in which a "comfort level" kicks in, usually based on some degree of familiarity and consistency with certain people. But in terms of how and why, I can't easily explain it either.

Maybe my "social barometer" is either broken or just kicks in at odd, unpredictable times. In that instance it's very frustrating to me when social chemistry goes right and I can't really figure out why. Perhaps this inability to figure it all out is just another manifestation of being on the spectrum of autism. I'm not sure.

 

[Desiree W]

I'm a bit like this too. I'll go from quiet, not having a lot to say, then become really talkative. Sometimes, I feel socially awkward, sometimes outgoing.

 

[Pondering]

I've probably only met two or three people in my entire life who could get me to talk incessantly just by being themselves around me. I met those people and it was almost like I was meeting myself for the first time, because they brought out the best parts of myself. So it was a nice surprise to realize that I wasn't actually a boring person; it's just that the majority of people in person do not freely discuss (or think, apparently) about the same things I wish I could discuss. This one person would walk into the room and I almost instantly would gain the ability to extrovert, and be comfortable with it! It was such an odd feeling. But seldom am I naturally at ease with others.

 

[Bronwyn]

omg yessss. I can be the most fun person to be around or im more introverted and quiet and everyones like are you okay? and act as if I just got stabbed. I feel like I try to make up for my social awkwardness by being over the top and it makes me feel a little in control and comfortable. Some people seem to really like it and want to be around me. Some people don't and its often guys, I think I come as a dominate personality type and it can be too much to handle and some find it intimidating.

 

[Tomos]

When i go and meet some of my relatives, ( Aunt, Cousins and there kids. ) i get really anxious about it, i'm not a very confident person when it comes to being social. once i meet them i relax and get a bit more confident socially.

When i'm walking my dog Eve, i get a little anxious if a dog walker walks past and says something friendly.

i appreciate there friendliness it's just i find it a struggle, but then again it's a good thing that it happens because it's forces me, to muster up the courage and say something back to them. then my confidence builds up little by little, it sounds really daft i know but i just find it tough.