Thanks for replying.. here's my answers to your q's...

1. What happens if you miss a meal?

If I miss a meal I'll usually feel weak (my knees will feel especially weak) and I can't think straight.

2. What sort of appetite do you have?
Usually my appetite is really low during the day (when I'm most anxious.) At night, it tends to go up quite a bit. Oh, and working out increases my appetite, too.

3. What is your sleep position?

I find that I usually fall asleep on my side (either one) or on my stomach. When I wake up, I'm usually on my stomach. I fall asleep easily and can also sleep just about anywhere (at work, at a bookstore, outside, at a park.) I'm also a very sound sleeper.

4. How do you feel when you wake up in the morning?

Anxious, short of breath, and usually wanting to stay in bed (and usually do.)Oh, and mornings are also the time that I have a bowel movement (if I do.)

5. Between what hours is your worst time of day?

probably between 11 A.M. and 3 or 4 P.M.

6. You say you have social anxiety, but you haven't said what sort of social situation you dread being in, and where out in public can you be, and doing what, without feeling anxiety-ridden?

Public speaking, talking to those in authority positions (my boss) and, really, talking to anyone that I don't know all that well.. I usually feel comfortable asking the other person questions and having them answer. I tend to dread the other person asking me a question. When I think about someone asking me something my legs will tense up and I'll start breating shallowly. I won't be listening to the other person because I'm too busy fearing that they are going to ask me something and I'll make a fool of myself. Then, if they do ask me something, I feel like I'm put on the spot and will start talking, and then think that the other person is criticising me. As I said before, I fear that others are privately criticizing me while I'm speaking, and that others talk about me behind my back. This fear of gossip makes it more difficult to relax when I see these people who I fear are criticizing me... oh, and I get extremely anxious around attractive members of the opposite sex.
If I'm with a good friend in public and I'm relaxed and we're cracking jokes or something I'm usually alot calmer. And at night, I usually feel like I can talk to just about anybody, party, go to a club, anything. But the next day, it's hell all over again.

7. Do you have any theories about why you're over-sensitive to sugar?

Well, I've thought that it may be due to its stimulating effects. I've also found that I tolerate sweets more easliy at night.

8. What motivates you?

Setting goals, visualizing myself achieving them.. and hearing "Horatio Alger" stories.. I get more motivated by trying to become a better person, more creative, a better writer, a better socializer, etc. than by material things. I've never really been motivated by the possibility of having a fancy car or a big house.

9. The flamboyance--is that to keep people from noticing your anxiety or is there some other explanation for it?

Perhaps it is to keep people from noticing my anxiety. Although, I'm somewhat artistic and I like flashy clothes and styling my hair funky. But, before a big social event or something, I'll usually style my hair more conservatively and wear more mainstream clothes out of the fear that someone might criticize my manner of dress.

10. What are your fears?

Really the only thing I fear, other than social situations, is heights.

11. Other than salad, what foods do you delight in--especially if I were able to promise that they wouldn't hurt you?

Steak...mmmm.. doo-dads and chex mix.

12. How do you feel at the sea shore?

Haven't been in a long time so I can't say. It seems like it'd be really relaxing and peaceful, though.

Oh, and for what it is worth, I also occasionally have obsessions. I'll get a violent or sexual image in my mind and won't be able to get it out. These obsessions haven't been nearly as strong as they were in the past. I also daydream alot and find that I talk to myself quite a bit..

Thanks again for replying.. I really appreciate this alot!

[ 30 April 2002, 00:40: Message edited by: Thomas McMahon ]