Sometimes, trying to reach out to old friends can feel especially difficult and your heart is filled with dread. Anxiety, fear and depression bubble up at the mere mention of a friend, and it can be really overwhelming.
I understand that your feelings can be a bit confusing. Why is it so difficult and scary to reach out to old friends? Why does the thought of friends make you anxious and depressed? The truth is, true friends should be those who lend a hand when you need it, help you through the lows, and make you feel better.
If certain friends always make you feel annoyed, anxious or even fearful, they may not be true friends. But sometimes that negativity may stem from our own mental state, an obstacle we have imagined within ourselves.
What can you do to reduce your inner anxiety and fear? If you are afraid to reach out to your friends to call or tweet, try talking to a counselor first, or practice talking to strangers. Just like you came to ask for help, this is already a brave first step. Slowly build up your confidence through questions and answers, voice or video communication.
After getting some guidance, gradually try to connect with family and friends. You will find that socializing with people is not really as difficult as you think.