Hyperhidrosis is ruining my social life

Posted In: Hyperhidrosis Forum

      • Participant
        jessie on #822

        I have sweaty hands and feet and as time goes by I have started to avoid other people whenever I can. When I meet someone, I always keep physical distance and keep my hands folded behind my back. A few friends have told me that I seem hostile at times – you know, like I'm telling everyone to back off.

        I'm uncomfortable telling everyone that I sweat too much.. Some of my friends are gossipy and immature, and confiding this to them could backfire sooner or later. So I guess I will keep hiding it, avoiding handshakes and such things.
        And sweaty feet are making me paranoid. I am using sprays that keep the odor under control, but this is never perfect. I also avoid visiting others in their homes unless I know I can keep my shoes on! I hope I will soon learn how to stop excessive sweating, because this is really ruining my social life.

        Everyone, please share if you have similar experiences. Maybe we can help each others out with advices or something.

        Reply
      • Participant
        Toby on #894

        I'm sorry to hear that excessive perspiration has such effect on your life. When I was younger, I felt the same, but then realized how this way of thinking will drive me insane. Our assumptions about the others differ from the reality. Other people have their own thoughts and worries – they probably don't even notice your excess sweating half of the time. To be honest, sometimes they will notice it – for example, if you have sweaty hands during a handshake.
        But when it comes to sweaty feet – hey, even if there is some odor, it won't reach up to their noses! Especially if you're using cooling antiperspirant sprays for feet.

        Train your brain to stop thinking about sweating all the time – it might help in more ways than one. Good luck! 😉

        Reply
        • Guest
          maverick on #5434

          i have the same problem and went through the same thing and even worser to be honest, i developed sweating to my back of my palms as well which is much terrifying then inner palms
          but finally i am cured and feeling very good after long time

          Reply
      • Participant
        jessie on #897

        Thanks for the advices… Yeah I suppose it is possible other people don't notice the things that seem glaringly obvious to me. I keep waiting for someone to make a disgusted face or comment on my sweaty palms and feet. I don't know which of these two is more embarrassing! 😮

        Still, between fighting the anxiety in the company of others and avoiding them to be at peace, I'd rather have peace of mind. That's my conclusion whenever I try to force myself to be more outgoing. :/
        I must do my best to find out how to stop sweating. That will help better than anything else. ❗

        Reply
      • Participant
        JennyDale on #1031

        Hi Jessie. You know what's my advice when it comes to coping with hyperhidrosis in social situations? Get angry a little. Just a little, just enough so that you stop being worried and embarrassed.
        Instead of feeling ashamed, take a battle stance against your archenemy The Sweat! Think something along the lines of “Hey sweat, take that! I won't let you control my life! I'll beat you and discover how to stop sweating mwahaah!” *insert cartoonish evil laugh*

        I know this sounds silly or negative… but I find it helps me fight any feelings of shame and low self-esteem. If other people see that you're radiant with confidence, sweat will be the last thing they'll notice. 😉

        Reply
      • Participant
        Toby on #1056

        That's an amusing advice, Jenny… I can see how it can be useful, especially as an antidote for sulking. 😀
        I have one thing to add to that: don't get carried away!
        I'm sure this works lovely when kept under control and used in very small doses. However, if it gets out of hand you might end up constantly frustrated because of your excess sweating, frustrated with yourself, and so on… And that's not a way to live with hyperhidrosis.

        In my opinion, yours is a good advice, but more as a “break in case of emergency” tool that can help you toughen up in some situations. In general, I think it's better to keep calm. My two cents! 🙂

        Reply
      • Participant
        Leons on #1083

        Some of my friends are gossipy and immature, and confiding this to them could backfire sooner or later.

        Not to be patronizing, but… It's normal that we have all kinds of friends and “friends” when younger, but as time passes, try to filter these people, and keep only the nicest and best ones close. Of course if someone is immature it doesn't mean he/she is automatically a bad person, but true friends should never mock you or gossip about how you sweat too much.
        The more strong, honest, worthy friendships you have, the better you will feel in social interactions, because you'll know that someone will always support you. 😉

        Reply
      • Participant
        Becky Thompson on #1239

        hello everyone i have always found socialising very hard with this condition i am constantly worrying about how much i sweat around other people it gets that bad sometimes that i dont even go out the house because i never feel comfortable i also sweat more when i am out maybe thats because of my nerves i dont no but its a constant battle to get through everyday does anyone else feel the same i feel so alone with this as no one i know understands what its like and why i never go out.

        Reply
      • Participant
        jessie on #1288

        Hi Becky! Trust me, you're not alone in this… I know exactly how tiresome this struggle is, halfway between anxiety and sweating, all the time… It wears me out, I think it's taxing and exhausting on some emotional level, which is probably why we don't feel like socializing that much. I mean, it's easier to stay at home and be comfortable, than go out and stress over everything. 🙁

        Eh, at least we can vent online…

        Anyway I'm trying to be more proactive in my quest for a hyperhidrosis cure. That feels like my only hope to be honest. Did you look around the website? Apparently there are many various treatments, hopefully you will find something that might help you…

        Reply
      • Guest
        Taylor on #5960

        I have severe hyperhydrosis, not just my hands and feet but my armpits are really bad too. If I start feeling anxious or hot my hands, feet, and armpits pour, then the rest of my body sweats. I've had this problem since I was a preteen but it got worse during and after puberty. It controls where I go, what I wear, and causes major social anxiety. I've tried prescription antiperspirant but nothing seems to help. I feel so restricted and worry about other people noticing all the time. I don't think it will ever go away, but I desperately want to learn how to cope with it, and stop letting it hold me back from doing what I want to do. Any advice?

        Reply
      • Guest
        Ben on #6194

        I just want to vent. My sweaty hands, feet and pits are probably the worst thing in my life. They've ruined my life from when it became a problem at a young age. I hate how it restricts me from doing things comfortably. I notice this now as I'm typing on a keyboard that's moist with the sweat from my hands. I am frustrated with the answers that doctors give me; more often than not it does not help at all. I've tried various forms of treatments including iontophoresis, oral and applied medications and the sweat always seems to come back with a vengeance, even after consistent treatment. It is infuriating and it just encourages me to have a bleak mindset. Don't get me wrong; I have always been a positive person but this affliction gnaws at my resolve and confidence.

        I was greatly comforted by knowing that I can share my frustrations with people who have suffered like me. Perhaps I have the worst possible case of hyperhidrosis; when the sweating starts, it sometimes gets so bad that I can cup my hands and watch as the sweat fills the base of it. When my feet start to sweat, it's as if I recently washed them with water and when my pits sweat you can see the stains reach all the way to my back. I fear I can never keep a relationship; I mean who would want to be with someone who is a constant sweaty mess? I myself can't imagine anyone who would. I might even go so far as to say that it has made me more anxious than I thought I would be. I live my life avoiding situations that could cause me to sweat. It has held me back a lot in life.

        I now cling to the hope that a cure soon emerges to relieve me of this affliction. The collective effect of seeing mild disgust and pity on people's faces does take a toll on my confidence and happiness. The inconveniences it brings even more so. I guess until then I will have to find a way to accept this as part of who I am and not let it dictate my life. But I certainly do not want to live with it any longer.

        Reply
Viewing 9 reply threads
Reply To: Hyperhidrosis is ruining my social life
Your information:




Cancel
Skip to toolbar