Will my social skills return?

Health and Recovery
1

I mean, more in real life, face-to-face interactions. I have gained insight and experience with this illness, but I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to recover socially. I struggle there. I’m just wondering if they will come back with more experience, or is it a “use it or lose it” type of situation. My hunch is that I will need to work and practice my social skills more often – easier said than done though :pensive_face:

Edit: Probs hard to give a good answer to this. Everyone’s mileage will vary. Just a thought I had this morning…

2 Likes
2

I think we want to be social and return to prior functioning in an ideal way but in the real scenario the illness makes it too hard.

3 Likes
3

Yeah, it’s probably time to come to terms I’ll always be single, and a suburban hermit essentially. Sucks.

2 Likes
4

Ive pretty much resigned to that.

1 Like
6

I think even if sz didnt make one extremely introverted, awkward and avoidant of stress social opportunities would still be limited by many people fearing we might go psycho at any moment.

2 Likes
8

My IRL social skills are terrible. It’s much easier to communicate over the Internet, where you have more time to think out what you’re about to say. I have only 2 IRL friends that I’ve known since I was in highschool, though I never make an effort to hangout with them in person. I’ve become a huge introvert. I wish I was more social, maybe I’d be able to find a girlfriend.

5 Likes
9

I hear ya, man. I have one buddy from childhood that I still see like once a year lol but that’s it. No one seems to care about that guy (me!) they knew in high school who seemingly fell off the face of the earth. But I also pushed them away when I was ill, so I can’t blame them too much

3 Likes
10

I hope I’m not sounding like an incel or something. I am NOT that.

Just venting a bit haha

2 Likes
11

Nah involuntary celibate subculture is asocial/ antsocial but obsessed with having sex that they can’t attain. Youre genuinely interested in social relationships and also like everyone interested in sex…

2 Likes
12

I’m alright with like, 5 minute interactions with cashiers and stuff, but anything else is really difficult.

5 Likes
13

I’m about the same, as well. Masking is exhausting :grimacing:

2 Likes
14

I have them but stuck behind a trust wall

2 Likes
15

I’m ok with people behind a virtual wall typing to them, but face to face is difficult, especially eye contact. Even my husband complains I don’t talk enough to him, he asks must he type to me on WhatsApp? Sometimes I think I’d open up to him more that way. Same with my friends.

2 Likes
16

@Dika im similar to that; watsapp i am more expressive and clear.

2 Likes
17

Thanks for the replies, everyone

It’s good to know I’m not the only one that struggles with this stuff

1 Like
18

I’m the same. If that makes you feel less alone. Its the illness

2 Likes
19

I’m ok talking to people sparingly in short bursts. I talk to my buddy for about an hour when we go out to eat but sometimes I get voices that comment on everything he says. I just ignore the voices and try to have a good time.

3 Likes
20

I can relate. It makes it hard to have a natural convo with a normie. I think most people hate having to have social interactions with me

1 Like
21

try not to be hard on yourselfs folks sz is hard overall to live with

1 Like