How do I break out of my own world? - Mental Health Message Board

xfire82 · 06-24-2006, 02:02 AM

I'm trying to figure out how to emerge from my own little world I've been living in for pretty much all of my 24 years of life! I'm quite introverted, I need a lot of alone time, I have a bit of the social anxiety disorder and I daydream a lot. I actually don't mind living in my own little world, what introvert doesn't right! But I realize to survive in the world, I have to break out a little somehow.

I think the daydreaming is the biggest problem. I don't know if they came from an avoidance of reality or obsessive thoughts I felt I needed to keep to myself, but never-the-less, they tend to make me a bad conversationalist since I'm not always 'in the moment', I'm off in dream land. It also prevents me from paying attention to detail, so I often miss things that are right in front of my face. My husband and family say that I lack common sense, not because I'm not smart (guess I'm only book smart, lol), but because I don't pay attention (I'm lucky, found a guy that doesn't mind being with a quiet person too much). This really makes me nervous because I'm thinking about going into nursing school and that takes a lot of common sense.

I've really been trying to daydream less and pay more attention to what I do, but it's really hard when you've done it ALL your life! I get really discouraged when I slip up and realize that I knocked a box of cereal on the floor because I forgot I put it on the counter and didn't pay attention when I moved my elbow, all as a result of my half-daydreaming! Daydreaming just seems to be a very deeply ingrained part of my personality and it's really hard to quit!

I've also been trying to get better at conversations, mostly by asking more questions, and it's been hit and miss. It also takes a lot of energy to do when you're not naturally out-going, I have to have lots of time alone afterwards to re-charge. It gets disheartening when I realize I could have done better. I guess I'm just putting too much pressure on myself to be like an extroverted person right off the bat, it's just not possible.

But I would appreciate any advice from people who have experienced this or from people that are still going through it like me. Should I even attempt nursing school yet (or ever, lol)? I'm afraid I'll make a dangerous mistake! Has anyone had any success with training yourself to pay more attention to detail? Or to daydream less?

star_gazing · 06-24-2006, 09:51 AM

Hey,
I know what you mean about living in your own world, though I think I do it a bit differently to you. The thing is I only really do it conciously now, so I really do think if you keep on trying you can 'train' yourself to do it less, donb't give up. I wish I could say something profound but I'm not sure what the answer is. As for nursing school, if you really want to do something then you should, many people have something they need to be able to deal with in occassions. You know what yours is and thats a large part of the issue solved.
Good luck with everything.

strongernow · 06-24-2006, 11:07 AM

Sounds like the Shizoid personality disorder not that you are inherently flawed completely just examine that disorder online and you will see how it could interfere in the ways of social interacting that you mentioned.

emeraldeyes114 · 06-24-2006, 07:00 PM

I walk in a perpetual world of my own little devising. I get what i need from it why bother with the real one. I can identify with what you are saying and I wish I knew how to be more outgoing myself or not afraid of people in the worst ways. Outside the net I have no friends which for a long time suited me just fine. It meant spending more time with friends that didn't exist but oh well it worked. Now I am in the same boat and being without the meds that helps to control my fun personality (bipolar/borderline) it hasn't been very successful. I read the other posts and hope to have some new ideas soon on that. I am horrible at conversation even on the net. I tend to zone out a lot or just get too restless. Any ideas you find that are helpful I would love to hear them. I congradulate on wanting to go into nursing. You can do anything you put your mind to and i do believe that one a great deal. It might not be easy but nothing worth achieving is all the time. So do the best you can and don't give up.
Emerald

xfire82 · 06-25-2006, 12:55 AM

Thank you all so much for your replies! I always thought I was alone in this, it's nice to know there are others going through the same thing.

Just yesterday I reconnected with a very old friend who is very outgoing. I realize now that I always seem to have really outgoing friends (and only really one at a time) who I guess really like someone who mostly just listens and can tag along on their adventures. And I never really minded, I got to do things I normally wouldn't do otherwise, plus I didn't feel too pressured to keep the conversation going, they always did. But I realize now that it could also help with my conversational skills. By watching how she interacts with me and other people, I can get better at conversing. So hopefully reconnecting with her will help me a little.

Thanks for all your words of encouragement and advice, I'm definately going to try my best

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