Hey all. My name's Adam. I am a 29 year old husband and father of 4. I buy/sell/refinish antique (pre-1898) firearms for a living.

Why am I here... Well, I have very few fears in this life. One fear I have though has really been affecting both my family and myself lately.

I have no clue what the medical term or "phobia" name is for it, but in a nutshell...

I'm terrified of speaking with, meeting with or having any social interaction with people who I have fallen out of contact with.

I have absolutely no fear of meeting new people, and find that I am MUCH more comfortable around them than old high school friends, former coworkers, most family, etc... I was a pastor for 11 years and I find that mingling with unfamiliar people is easy as is public speaking.

If anyone has any info or ideas on my condition, I would love to hear them!!

Hello Adam and welcome to the forum

Im afraid this is a new one to me, obviously there are many phobias regarding meeting people etc, but not in the context that you have explained.

Given you were in a business that involved public speaking, meeting your church group etc, do you know when your issues first started or are you aware of anything that may have sparked it off?

Well, I'm not quite sure of when it started, but I remember having these fears as early as 7th grade.

Honestly, I have been in situations where I have had anxiety attacks due to having to call a former coworker.

I have also passed up on collecting a payment of $3,000 after selling a small business due to an anxiety attack over having to see the person.

I am not afraid of anyone. I don't fear for my safety, nor do I care what they think of me. I simply become crippled by fear at the thought of having to see/talk to someone who I used to know.

Now, when I see, in passing, someone I used to know everything is fine!

I would love to be able to pick up my phone without havin to screen every call.
Thanks,
Adam
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