Urge to open up.

[HannaD]

I've made a few acquaintances. They'll share things about themselves and I may comment, joke or change the subject. I've been told about diabetes, speech impediment, etc. I feel like I want to reciprocate for some reason and when appropriate share that I have ptsd. Only I am fearful of social engineering or worse that I may make them uncomfortable. Who am I kidding, I'm very shy. Awkward moments are apart of getting to know me. ?
Is this a normal feeling to want to share or my distorted perception of how relationships work? I don't know.
If it's okay. How do you handle others opening up to you? How do you know what's appropriate? Do you fear being socially manipulated? I do, a bit. Some days are better than others.

An after thought. Perhaps, "I have ptsd." in my mind sounds like too much. Little things can go a long way to testing out a friendship (for safety). Instead perhaps I should reciprocate with only a symptom here or there. I hate being vulnerable. This seems like it'd be beneficial.

 

[Wonder Woman]

I've made a few acquaintances. They'll share things about themselves and I may comment, joke or change the subject. I've been told about diabetes, speech impediment, etc. I feel like I want to reciprocate for some reason and when appropriate share that I have ptsd. Only I am fearful of social engineering or worse that I may make them uncomfortable. Who am I kidding, I'm very shy. Awkward moments are apart of getting to know me. ?
Is this a normal feeling to want to share or my distorted perception of how relationships work? I don't know.
If it's okay. How do you handle others opening up to you? How do you know what's appropriate? Do you fear being socially manipulated? I do, a bit. Some days are better than others.

An after thought. Perhaps, "I have ptsd." in my mind sounds like too much. Little things can go a long way to testing out a friendship (for safety). Instead perhaps I should reciprocate with only a symptom here or there. I hate being vulnerable. This seems like it'd be beneficial.

Hi, HannaD.

I agree, sharing that you have PTSD is not a good place to start.

Perhaps you can open-up about an aspect of your PTSD. For example, you might divulge that a particular thing causes anxiety. Pick something that isn't a trigger or too stress/anxiety producing. Choose something small and relatable. For example, being in dimly lit places, or small spaces, or what have you.

I hope this helps.

 

[HannaD]

Hi, HannaD.

I agree, sharing that you have PTSD is not a good place to start.

Perhaps you can open-up about an aspect of your PTSD. For example, you might divulge that a particular thing causes anxiety. Pick something that isn't a trigger or too stress/anxiety producing. Choose something small and relatable. For example, being in dimly lit places, or small spaces, or what have you.

I hope this helps.

Very much, thank you. I think I was overthinking it a bit. Making friends is something I move slowly with. I'm more likely to ghost. I'll try not to and see how it goes.

 

[Wonder Woman]

Very much, thank you. I think I was overthinking it a bit. Making friends is something I move slowly with. I'm more likely to ghost. I'll try not to and see how it goes.

Sometimes we ghost after we have over-shared, too soon. This might not be the case for, you but it might be something to consider.

 

[HannaD]

Sometimes we ghost after we have over-shared, too soon. This might not be the case for, you but it might be something to consider.

Oh no, not for me. I get rather tight lipped and then fade away. ? I'm still working on that. But, I'll keep in mind not to over share since I'm dipping my toes in social waters. No need to jump in.

 

[Wonder Woman]

Sounds like you're on the right track and doing much better than you give yourself credit for. Sometimes we ghost, because we can sense someone isn't the safest, and we don't know any other way to end things. I know I've done this before.

 

[Changing4Best]

Well, I am ghosting because he said he loved to go camping. I have Lyme Disease and can't bring myself to tellhim that I would be terrified to go camping. I would most likely get bitten by ticks and get it again.