I am very glad you thought to write about your dilemma, and I can assure you that you are not alone in your struggle. Many students wrestle with complex and confusing feelings that, left unresolved, lead to increased feelings of depression and/or anxiety, which in turn contribute to increased avoidance of people, activities, or objects (such as telephones).

There is help available, and it's right here in the Counseling & Student Development Center, 200 Campus Life Building. Please call our office (753-1206) or drop by to arrange for a meeting with one of our counselors.

I realize that it may feel uncomfortable to talk about your concerns with someone you have never met before on a face-to-face basis. However, our experience is that students quickly begin to feel comfortable sharing themselves with their counselor and derive real relief from being able to have someone understand them in ways that they didn't realize were possible. It may feel like a big step to take, but coming in to speak with one of our counselors can be the beginning of a deeply meaningful experience that can help you resolve your concerns regarding feeling uncomfortable around others, "freezing up", and avoiding the telephone.

Thanks again for writing about these issues. You may have helped others with similar feelings realize that they are not alone. Hope to see you soon in our office.

Sincerely,

Barb Wired