Posted by Rob on 4/1/2010, 10:29 am, in reply to "Re: workshop meeting"

Hello all I am in my early 30s and have been suffering from this since I was in my early teens. Actually just typing this and thinking I have struggled for almost 20 years!! I never even knew what it was called until last week when at work (with a near empty office) I decided to google stage fright ( but all I got were tips for actors which was funny) It was such a relief to actually come across a society when all these years I thought I was part of a rare breed. I have spent hours reading all the posts & can relate to them all. Xmas was especially hard when trying to go to the toilet in packed pubs, restaurants, clubs. I went to a rugby match with my brother & father on boxing night (worst nightmare ever) & I had to go just before half time / full time to avoid the crowd & go in the cubicle & still got strange looks from other guys wondering why I didn't use the empty long urinals. My brother kept saying just wait till half time it's only a few minutes away but no way, even if I was about to explode I would freeze up. It is now getting so bad I am starting to turn down weddings, stag weekends, music festivals, boys weekends & dreading all other social events. I have never told anyone close to me (even my girlfriend of nearly 5 years) but I think she suspects something. I have been to a hypnotherapist twice but he was useless but gladly took my money & kept saying you need more sessions. But of course I do as he rubbed his hands together. I really want to go to the workshops but do not want to tell my girlfriend / do not want to tell anyone. It is simply too embarrassing & even though I know she would support me I know it would alter our relationship. I could imagine every time we were in a pub or restaurant when I would go to the toilet she would just give me this look & also am afraid she would tell one of her friends / or a family member to seek support / advice. I don't want anyone to know. Anyway I am sorry for waffling on but there is nothing more that I want this year than to simply be able to use the toilet. It has wrecked my social life & my work life. Is there a way of going to workshops for a few hrs instead of most of the weekend. otherwise she will think I am having an affair which to be honest would be less embarrassing Thanks in advance, Rob

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