How do I put myself out there?

[Anonymous]

I came back home from abroad after losing my job a few months ago. I feel isolated because I only meet my friends and my family, but at the same time, I am very reluctant to meet new people and it's making me anxious. I feel that they have great expectations because everyone thinks I am or I should be more intelligent than others or people think I am weird because I have some mental issues: emotional inconsistency, social self-confidence oscillations (when I am not anxious I am very confident and funny, when I am anxious I am extremely shy, neurotic and dysfunctional).

[StarWarGirl]

Are you among the wrong group of people, friends or family members? Or are you going through some kind of hidden depression? I feel so. Lacking in self confidence like this, not wanting to meet people, giving more importance to what people think and expect from you this all seems sign of these.

I think you either need to meet some good people, you need to have good friends around you. And i would suggest you need to visit some psychiatrist too.

See, no body is perfect in this world same time no body is useless. No matter what people expect from you, you must be good at something definitely. You don't need to stand on everyone's expectations but you only need to stand for yourself for what you love what can make your life meaningful and easy to survive.

Even anyone is intelligent or not even this doesn't matter for this, there are jobs for each and every person of having any IQ. Even for autistic person. You need to identify yourself. Don't see yourself with the eyes of toxic people but be your own best friend and find what's good in you what's your strength.

[Asker]

My family and friends are great, but I am comfortable around them and the feedback I get is always predictable and positive. Of course I am socially functional with them. I trust them. Depression? No, I am in control of my emotions, I feel positive emotions, I keep myself busy with studying for a degree which might get me a better job, seeking job opportunities, doing much exercise, going to therapy. I hate being average and I always compare myself with people who have a higher social status. I also know I'm quite inadequate and unadapted with most people. I also had some failed romantic relationships. I know my strengths, but I always focus on what I lack because I think that makes me better, but that also lowers my self-esteem.

[Asker]

I think the main problem is: I can't break the ice socially. Nobody else does, and I have to do it on my own. But I can't. I just lack social exercise. I used to be very confident with my people back in the day.

[StarWarGirl]

That's why I told it's "hidden" depression. In this people don't realise that they are going through depression but seeing how your negativity overpowering you, I'm feeling like definitely sure you are going through. As you told that you were better in past means you don't have problem. You are unable to control your emotions that means chemical imbalance is going on in your brain. Tabs may help you. Trust me. You are completely alright and there is nothing wrong to take help when it is needed.